R T 1-. Right judgment of us [Paul and Sosthenes].
U n -1. Stewards.
o 2. What is required defined.
T 3-5-. Right judgment of me [Paul].
U o -5-. What is required discovered.
n -5. Stewards. Reward.
1 Corinthians 4)
1 Let a man so reckon of us, as of the ministers of Christ,
and stewards (see Luke 16:1) of the mysteries of God. (Don't look at us as some other religion. To Paul were committed various secrets. See 15:51. Rom. 11:25. 2 Thess. 2:71 Tim. 3:9,16)
2 For the rest it is sought among stewards, in order that one be found faithful. (Trustworthy. To bring forth God's truth, not man's traditions.)
3 But for me it is the least thing that I should be examined of you, or by man's judgment (lit. man's day. The day in which man is examining, and "judging", and God is silent): I do not even judge. (They do not have a say at Judgment Day.)
4 For I an conscious of (see Acts 5:2) nothing against myself; yet am I not in this justified: but He that judges me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge not anything before the season, until the Lord come, (Hold your peace.)
Who both will bring to light (Gr. phōtizō. See Luke 11:36) the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts (minds):
and then shall every man have praise from God. (Lit. praise shall be to each one. When all is said and done on Judgment Day, you will find out God is fair.)
S V 6-. Paul and Apollos.
W p -6,7. The Corinthians.
q 8. Their exaltation.
W p 9,10. The apostles.
q 11-13. Their humiliation.
V 14-16. Paul.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos on account of you; (They will use themselves as examples of regular teachers and what is required of them, i.e. teachers.)
that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which has been written (give God the glory), that no one of you be puffed up (pride or boastful, that is what brought Satan down. Ezek. 28) for one against the other.
7 For who makes you to differ from another? and what have you that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you boast, as not having received it? (Where did it come from.)
8 Already you have been filled (see Acts 27:38), now you are rich, you have reigned as kings apart from us (he is saying this in Irony): and I wish to God you did reign (see 2 Cor. 11:1. Gal. 5:12. Rev. 3:15), that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God set forth us the apostles last (they were the successors of the prophets in this. Acts 7:52), as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world (in Acts 19:29,31, it means the place. It was also used for the actors, and the spectators), both to angels, and to men. (Lowest on the totem-pole.)
10 [You think] We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised.
11 Up to the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are scantly clothed (not dressed fancy), and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; (= to be a wanderer)
12 And labor, working with our own hands (didn't take anything from them. See Acts 18:3; 20:34. 1 Thess. 2:9. 2 Thess. 3:8): being reviled (see John 9:28), we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
13 Being defamed (slandered), we entreat (reconcile): we are made as the sweepings of the world, and are the off-scouring of all things to this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you (lit. not as putting you to shame do I write these things), but as my beloved children I warn you. (About being pretenders, don't play church. See Act 20:31)
15 For if you should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many [Spiritual] fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begat you through the gospel. (The only one they will have.)
16 On account of this I beseech you, become you imitators of me. (Who follows Christ.)
17 On account of this have I sent to you Timotheus (see 16;10), who is my beloved child (spiritually), and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind you of my ways in Christ (in Christ's way), even as I teach every where in every church. (The same message)
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not (dare) coming unto you.
19 But I will come to you quickly, if the Lord will, and will know (i.e. find out and expose), not the word of them which are puffed up, but the power. (Released from Scripture to change lives)
20 For the kingdom of God is [established] not in [man's] word, but in power. (Of God's Word.)
21 What will you? (What's it going to be) shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? (Paul was ready as an apostle to give them what they needed.)