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
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