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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 4:6 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 4:6 |
Strong Concordance |
And [1161] these things [5023], brethren [80], I have in a figure transferred [3345] to [1519] myself [1683] and [2532] to Apollos [625] for [1223] your sakes [5209]; that [2443] ye might learn [3129] in [1722] us [2254] not [3361] to think [5426] of men above [5228] that [2443] which [3739] is written [1125], that no [3363] one [1520] of you be puffed up [5448] for [5228] one [1520] against [2596] another [2087]. |
| |
King James |
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
And--"Now," marking transition.
in a figure transferred to myself--that is, I have represented under the persons of Apollos and myself what really holds good of all teachers, making us two a figure or type of all the others. I have mentioned us two, whose names have been used as a party cry; but under our names I mean others to be understood, whom I do not name, in order not to shame you [ESTIUS].
not to think, &c.--The best manuscripts omit "think." Translate, "That in us (as your example) ye might learn (this), not (to go) beyond what is written." Revere the silence of Holy Writ, as much as its declarations: so you will less dogmatize on what is not expressly revealed (Deu 29:29).
puffed up for one--namely, "for one (favorite minister) against another." The Greek indicative implies, "That ye be not puffed up as ye are." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And these things - The things which I have written respecting religious teachers Co1 2:5-6, Co1 2:12, and the impropriety of forming sects called after their names.
I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos - The word used here μετεσχημάτισα meteschēmatisa denotes, properly, to put on another form or figure; "to change" (Phi 3:21, "who shall change our vile body"); to "transform" (Co2 11:13, "transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ"); and then to apply in the way of a figure of speech. This may mean that neither Paul, Apollos, or Peter, were set up among the Corinthians as heads of parties, but that Paul here made use of their names to show how improper it would be to make them the head of a party, and hence, how improper it was to make any religious teacher the head of a party; or Paul may mean to say that he had mentioned himself and Apollos particularly, to show the impropriety of what had been done; since, if it was improper to make them heads of parties, it was much more so to make inferior teachers the leaders of factions.
Locke adopts the former interpretation. The latter is probably the true interpretation, for it is evident from Co1 1:12-13, that there were parties in the church at Corinth that were called by the names of Paul, and Apollos, and Peter; and Paul's design here was to show the impropriety of this by mentioning himself, Apollos, and Peter, and thus by transferring the whole discussion from inferior teachers and leaders to show the impropriety of it. He might have argued against the impropriety of following other leaders. He might have mentioned their names. But this would have been invidious and indelicate. It would have excited their anger. He therefore says that he had transferred it all to himself and Apollos; and it implied that if it were improper to split themselves up into factions with them as leaders, much more was it improper to follow others; that is, it was improper to form parties at all in the church. "I mention this of ourselves; out of delicacy I forbear to mention the names of others" - And this was one of the instances in which Paul showed great tact in accomplishing his object, and avoiding offence.
For your sakes - To spare your feelings; or to show you in an inoffensive manner what I mean. And particularly by this that you may learn not to place an inordinate value on people.
That ye might learn in us - Or by our example and views.
Not to think ... - Since you see the plan which we desire to take; since you see that we who have the rank of apostles, and have been so eminently favored with endowments and success, do not wish to form parties, that you may also have the same views in regard to others.
Above that which is written - Probably referring to what he had said in Co1 3:5-9, Co1 3:21; Co1 4:1. Or it may refer to the general strain of Scripture requiring the children of God to be modest and humble.
That no one of you be puffed up - That no one be proud or exalted in self-estimation above his neighbor. That no one be disposed to look upon others with contempt, and to seek to depress and humble them. They should regard themselves as brethren, and as all on a level. The argument here is, that if Paul and Apollos did not suppose that they had a right to put themselves at the head of parties, much less had any of them a right to do so. The doctrine is:
(1) That parties are improper in the church;
(2) That Christians should regard themselves as on a level; and,
(3) That no one Christian should regard others as beneath him, or as the object of contempt. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
I have in a figure transferred (μετασχημάτισας)
From μετά, denoting exchange, and σχῆμα outward fashion. Here the fashion in which Paul expresses himself. See on transfigured, Mat 17:2.
Not to go beyond the things which are written (τὸ μὴ ὑπὲρ ἃ γέγραπται)
Lit. (that ye might learn) the not beyond what stands written. The article the introduces a proverbial expression. The impersonal it is written is commonly used of Old-Testament references.
Be puffed up (φυσιοῦσθε)
Used only by Paul in Corinthians and Colossians. From φῦσα a pair of bellows. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| These things - Mentioned, Co1 1:10, &c. I have by a very obvious figure transferred to myself and Apollos - And Cephas, instead of naming those particular preachers at Corinth, to whom ye are so fondly attached. That ye may learn by us - From what has been said concerning us, who, however eminent we are, are mere instruments in God's hand. Not to think of any man above what is here written - Or above what scripture warrants. Co1 3:7 |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
These things - Which I have written, Co1 3:5, etc.
I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos - I have written as if myself and Apollos were the authors of the sects which now prevail among you; although others, without either our consent or knowledge, have proclaimed us heads of parties. Bishop Pearce paraphrases the verse thus: "I have made use of my own and Apollos' name in my arguments against your divisions, because I would spare to name those teachers among you who are guilty of making and heading parties; and because I would have you, by our example, not to value them above what I have said of teachers in general in this epistle; so that none of you ought to be puffed up for one against another." Doubtless there were persons at Corinth who, taking advantage of this spirit of innovation among that people, set themselves up also for teachers, and endeavored to draw disciples after them. And perhaps some even of these were more valued by the fickle multitude than the very apostles by whom they had been brought out of heathenish darkness into the marvellous light of the Gospel. I have already supposed it possible that Diotrephes was one of the ringleaders in these schisms at Corinth. See on Co1 1:14 (note). |
29 The secret [05641] things belong unto the LORD [03068] our God [0430]: but those things which are revealed [01540] belong unto us and to our children [01121] for [05704] ever [05769], that we may do [06213] all the words [01697] of this law [08451].
1 Let [3049] a man [444] so [3779] account [3049] of us [2248], as [5613] of the ministers [5257] of Christ [5547], and [2532] stewards [3623] of the mysteries [3466] of God [2316].
21 Therefore [5620] let [2744] no man [3367] glory [2744] in [1722] men [444]. For [1063] all things [3956] are [2076] yours [5216];
5 Who [5101] then [3767] is [2076] Paul [3972], and [1161] who [5101] is Apollos [625], but [235] [2228] ministers [1249] by [1223] whom [3739] ye believed [4100], even [2532] as [5613] the Lord [2962] gave [1325] to every man [1538]?
6 I [1473] have planted [5452], Apollos [625] watered [4222]; but [235] God [2316] gave the increase [837].
7 So [5620] then neither [3777] is [2076] he that planteth [5452] any thing [5100], neither [3777] he that watereth [4222]; but [235] God [2316] that giveth the increase [837].
8 Now [1161] he that planteth [5452] and [2532] he that watereth [4222] are [1526] one [1520]: and [1161] every man [1538] shall receive [2983] his own [2398] reward [3408] according [2596] to his own [2398] labour [2873].
9 For [1063] we are [2070] labourers together [4904] with God [2316]: ye are [2075] God's [2316] husbandry [1091], ye are God's [2316] building [3619].
12 Now [1161] this [5124] I say [3004], that [3754] every one [1538] of you [5216] saith [3004], I [1473] [3303] am [1510] of Paul [3972]; and [1161] I [1473] of Apollos [625]; and [1161] I [1473] of Cephas [2786]; and [1161] I [1473] of Christ [5547].
13 Is [3307] Christ [5547] divided [3307]? [3361] was [4717] Paul [3972] crucified [4717] for [5228] you [5216]? or [2228] were ye baptized [907] in [1519] the name [3686] of Paul [3972]?
13 For [1063] such [5108] are false apostles [5570], deceitful [1386] workers [2040], transforming themselves [3345] into [1519] the apostles [652] of Christ [5547].
21 Who [3739] shall change [3345] our [2257] vile [5014] body [4983], that [1519] it [846] may be [1096] fashioned like unto [4832] his [846] glorious [1391] body [4983], according to [2596] the working [1753] whereby he [846] is able [1410] even [2532] to subdue [5293] all things [3956] unto himself [1438].
12 Now [1161] we [2249] have received [2983], not [3756] the spirit [4151] of the world [2889], but [235] the spirit [4151] which [3588] is of [1537] God [2316]; that [2443] we might know [1492] the things that are freely given [5483] to us [2254] of [5259] God [2316].
5 That [2443] your [5216] faith [4102] should [5600] not [3361] stand [5600] in [1722] the wisdom [4678] of men [444], but [235] in [1722] the power [1411] of God [2316].
6 Howbeit [1161] we speak [2980] wisdom [4678] among [1722] them that are perfect [5046]: yet [1161] not [3756] the wisdom [4678] of this [5127] world [165], nor [3761] of the princes [758] of this [5127] world [165], that come to nought [2673]:
2 And [2532] was transfigured [3339] before [1715] them [846]: and [2532] his [846] face [4383] did shine [2989] as [5613] the sun [2246], and [1161] his [846] raiment [2440] was [1096] white [3022] as [5613] the light [5457].
7 So [5620] then neither [3777] is [2076] he that planteth [5452] any thing [5100], neither [3777] he that watereth [4222]; but [235] God [2316] that giveth the increase [837].
10 Now [1161] I beseech [3870] you [5209], brethren [80], by [1223] the name [3686] of our [2257] Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], that [2443] ye [3004] all [3956] speak [3004] the same thing [846], and [2532] that there be [5600] no [3361] divisions [4978] among [1722] you [5213]; but [1161] that ye be [5600] perfectly joined together [2675] in [1722] the same [846] mind [3563] and [2532] in [1722] the same [846] judgment [1106].
14 I thank [2168] God [2316] that [3754] I baptized [907] none [3762] of you [5216], but [1508] Crispus [2921] and [2532] Gaius [1050];
5 Who [5101] then [3767] is [2076] Paul [3972], and [1161] who [5101] is Apollos [625], but [235] [2228] ministers [1249] by [1223] whom [3739] ye believed [4100], even [2532] as [5613] the Lord [2962] gave [1325] to every man [1538]?