1 Corinthians 4:9 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

For . This word shows how different was the reality. Hath set forth; displayed as on a stage ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ). Us the apostles. St. Paul identifies them with himself; but undoubtedly he had "laboured more abundantly than they all." Last . Servants of all; in the lowest circumstances of humiliation. The apostles. Not the twelve only, but those who might be called apostles in a wider sense, who shared the same afflictions ( Hebrews 10:33 ). As it were appointed to death. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Man an object of angelic observation. "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." The margin reads "theatre" for "spectacle," from the Greek word θέατρον . The reference, in all probability, is to the ancient amphitheatre, whose arena was surrounded by circular seats, capable of accommodating thousands of spectators. In this arena trained athletes struggled for prizes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

A spectacle. In the midst of his irony and sarcasm, Paul here reverts to the more natural habit of his mind. The self exaltation and self importance of the Corinthians were mingled with depreciation of the apostle, at least on the part of some. But alas! if his own converts, so deeply indebted to his labours and his care, could think slightingly of him, what earthly compensation could he expect for all the pain, hardship, contempt, and danger he cheerfully endured? Were not he and his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

For I think - It seems to me. Grotius thinks that this is to be taken ironically, as if he had said, “It seems then that God has designed that we, the apostles, should be subject to contempt and suffering; and be made poor and persecuted, while you are admitted to high honors and privileges.” But probably this is to be taken as a serious declaration of Paul, designed to show their actual condition and trials, while others were permitted to live in enjoyment. Whatever might be their condition,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 4:9

1 Corinthians 4:9 . For God hath set forth us the apostles And all faithful ministers; last, as it were appointed to death He alludes to the Roman theatrical spectacles, in which those persons were brought forth last on the stage, either to fight with each other, or with wild beasts, who were devoted to death; so that if they escaped one day, they were brought out again and again, till they were killed. For, from a passage of Seneca’s Epistles, quoted by Whitby, it appears that in the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Attitudes towards God’s servants (4:1-21)What the Corinthians think about the servants of God is not important. God is the one who gives his servants their work and they are responsible to him, not to anyone else (4:1-2). Paul is not concerned about the Corinthians’ assessment of him. Even Paul himself cannot properly assess how true his service has been. He may not know of any failure in his service, but that does not mean he is faultless. The only judgment that matters is the one that will... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 4:9

hath . Omit. set forth . Greek. apodeiknumi. See Acts 2:22 . apostles . App-189 . last . They were the successors of the prophets in this. Acts 7:52 . appointed to death . Greek. epithanatios. Only here. spectacle . Greek. theatron. In Acts 19:29 , Acts 19:31 , it means the place. It was also used for the actors, and the spectators. unto = to. world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 . and = both. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

For, I think, God hath set forth us apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.Beginning with 1 Corinthians 4:7, the remainder of this chapter is devoted to the rebuke of the false teachers and exposure of their sins of worldliness, vanity, conceit, vain glory and division. At the very moment of their sporting all those prideful airs of popularity and success, Paul in this verse reminds them how it is with the GENUINE... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

1 Corinthians 4:9. That God hath set forth us the Apostles last, &c.— The Apostle seems here to refer to the Roman custom of bringing forth on the theatre, in the latter part of the day, either to fight with each other, or with wild beasts, those persons who were appointed unto certain death, and who had not that chance of escaping, which those brought forth in the morning had. Such kind of spectacles were so common in all the provinces, that it is no wonder we should find an allusion to... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

9. For—assigning the reason for desiring that the "reign" of himself and his fellow apostles with the Corinthians were come; namely, the present afflictions of the former. I think—The Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:18) "seemed" to (literally, as here, "thought") themselves "wise in this world." Paul, in contrast, "thinks" that God has sent forth him and his fellow ministers "last," that is, the lowest in this world. The apostles fared worse than even the prophets, who, though sometimes afflicted,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 4:9

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