And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes.
Apostolic delicacy and tact
St. Paul means that in the preceding passage (from 1 Corinthians 3:5) he has presented, while applying them to himself and Apollos, the principles regarding the ministry which he was concerned to remind them of, in view of certain preachers of the Church which misunderstood them. He did not wish to designate those preachers by name, lest he should shock susceptibilities already awakened. He explains this method, which he felt called to use in the delicate circumstances, by the words “for your sakes,” which here signify “the more easily to gain your acceptance of the truth thus presented.” Expressions like “Paul is nothing, Apollos is nothing,” applied to other leading persons at Corinth, would have seemed injurious, while in the form used by Paul the truth declared lost all character of personal hostility. Hence it follows that “these things” applies solely to the last passage concerning the ministry, and not at all to the previous passages regarding the nature of the gospel. It is therefore a mistake to find here a proof in favour of applying to Apollos or his partisans the polemic against human wisdom in chaps, 1. and 2. The passage rather shows how thoroughly Paul felt himself one with Apollos, seeing he could treat him as a second self, and distinguish him so pointedly from teachers who opposed him at Corinth. (Prof. Godet.)
How the apostle reproves the pride of the Corinthian Church
I. By example (1 Corinthians 4:6).
II. By argument (1 Corinthians 4:7).
III. By sarcasm (1 Corinthians 4:8),
IV. By the consideration of god’s procedure (1 Corinthians 4:9).
V. By contrast (1 Corinthians 4:10).
VI. By an enumeration of apostolic humiliations and sufferings (Verses 11-13). (Prof. Godet.)
That ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.--
The true standard of the gospel ministry
The apostle means by “what is written,” the Scriptures of the Old Testament; not that he refers to any particular passage, but to the general spirit and point of view of the Divine revelation. The facts which he has delivered to the Corinthians are “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). He claims the same allegiance to the Old Testament on behalf of Apollos, who was “strong in the Scriptures.” The words are another undesigned vindication of himself and Apollos from the charge of being party leaders. Both kept close to the teaching of Scripture. The faithfulness of the steward (1 Corinthians 4:2) turns out to be loyalty to the Word of God; and, as the faithful servant fears not the judgment of men, so also the pride of his self-conceit is quelled by the subjection of his spirit to God’s revelation. Both qualities are the opposite of the tortuous intellectual cleverness of the Corinthians. Both are the surest safeguard of transparent, direct, honest simplicity of character, which, in turn, is the best preservative of Church order, and the only remedy against faction. (Principal Edwards.)
That not one of you be puffed up for one against another.--
Puffed up
“Be not puffed up one above another” (comp. in the Greek 1 Thessalonians 5:11). The followers of Apollos exalted themselves over those of Paul, and those of Paul over those of Cephas. One exalted himself above another and against him. He not only thought himself better than his brother, but assumed a hostile attitude towards him. This view is confirmed by the next verse, which is directed against the self-conceit of the Corinthians and not against their zeal for their teachers. (C. Hodge, D. D.)
The evil of pride exhibited
I. By direct exposure.
1. It is an over-estimation of self (1 Corinthians 4:6).
2. Ignores its dependence upon God (1 Corinthians 4:7).
3. Is inflated with imaginary superiority (1 Corinthians 4:8).
II. By contrast with apostolic example.
1. Apostles esteemed themselves the least, the proud think themselves the greatest (1 Corinthians 4:9-10).
2. Apostles willingly endured for Christ’s sake, the proud shun all self-sacrifice (1 Corinthians 4:11-12).
3. Apostles maintained under their afflictions a spirit of forbearance and love, the proud are easily offended, &c. (1 Corinthians 6:13). (Family Churchwoman.)