mh_parser/vol_split/46 - 1Corinthians/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="iCor.v" n="v" next="iCor.vi" prev="iCor.iv" progress="44.29%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="iCor.v-p0.1">F I R S T   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iCor.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iCor.v-p1">In this chapter the apostle, I. Directs them how
to account of him and his fellow-ministers, and therein, tacitly at
least, reproves them for their unworthy carriage towards him,
<scripRef id="iCor.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.1-1Cor.4.6" parsed="|1Cor|4|1|4|6" passage="1Co 4:1-6">ver. 1-6</scripRef>. II. He cautions
them against pride and self-elation, and hints at the many
temptations they had to conceive too highly of themselves, and
despise him and other apostles, because of the great diversity in
their circumstances and condition, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.7-1Cor.4.13" parsed="|1Cor|4|7|4|13" passage="1Co 4:7-13">ver. 7-13</scripRef>. III. He challenges their regard
to him as their father in Christ, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.14-1Cor.4.16" parsed="|1Cor|4|14|4|16" passage="1Co 4:14-16">ver. 14-16</scripRef>. IV. He tells them of his
having sent Timothy to them, and of his own purpose to come to them
shortly, however some among them had pleased themselves, and grown
vain, upon the quite contrary expectation, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.17-1Cor.4.21" parsed="|1Cor|4|17|4|21" passage="1Co 4:17-21">ver. 17 to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iCor.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4" parsed="|1Cor|4|0|0|0" passage="1Co 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iCor.v-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.1-1Cor.4.6" parsed="|1Cor|4|1|4|6" passage="1Co 4:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Cor.4.1-1Cor.4.6">
<h4 id="iCor.v-p1.7">The Stewardship of the
Apostles. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCor.v-p1.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCor.v-p2">1 Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.   2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
  3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be
judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own
self.   4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby
justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.   5 Therefore
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make
manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have
praise of God.   6 And these things, brethren, I have in a
figure transferred to myself and <i>to</i> Apollos for your sakes;
that ye might learn in us not to think <i>of men</i> above that
which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against
another.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p3">Here, I. The apostle challenges the respect
due to him on account of his character and office, in which many
among them had at least very much failed: <i>Let a man so account
of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries
of God</i> (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.1" parsed="|1Cor|4|1|0|0" passage="1Co 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>),
though possibly others might have valued them too highly, by
setting him up as the head of a party, and professing to be his
disciples. In our opinion of ministers, as well as all other
things, we should be careful to avoid extremes. Apostles themselves
were, 1. Not to be overvalued, for they were ministers, not
masters; stewards, not lords. They were servants of Christ, and no
more, though they were servants of the highest rank, that had the
care of his household, that were to provide food for the rest, and
appoint and direct their work. Note, It is a very great abuse of
their power, and highly criminal in common ministers, to lord it
over their fellow-servants, and challenge authority over their
faith or practice. For even apostles were but servants of Christ,
employed in his work, and sent on his errand, and dispensers of the
mysteries of God, or those truths which had been hidden from the
world in ages and generations past. They had no authority to
propagate their own fancies, but to spread Christian faith. 2.
Apostles were not to be undervalued; for, though they were
ministers, they were ministers of Christ. The character and dignity
of their master put an honour on them. Though they are but
stewards, they are not stewards of the common things of the world,
but of divine mysteries. They had a great trust, and for that
reason had an honourable office. They were stewards of God's
household, high-stewards in his kingdom of grace. They did not set
up for masters, but they deserved respect and esteem in this
honourable service. Especially,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p4">II. When they did their duty in it, and
approved themselves faithful: <i>It is required in stewards that a
man be found faithful</i> (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.2" parsed="|1Cor|4|2|0|0" passage="1Co 4:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>), trustworthy. The stewards in Christ's family must
appoint what he hath appointed. They must not set their
fellow-servants to work for themselves. They must not require any
thing from them without their Master's warrant. They must not feed
them with the chaff of their own inventions, instead of the
wholesome food of Christian doctrine and truth. They must teach
what he hath commanded, and not the doctrines and commandments of
men. They must be true to the interest of their Lord, and consult
his honour. Note, The ministers of Christ should make it their
hearty and continual endeavour to approve themselves trustworthy;
and when they have the testimony of a good conscience, and the
approbation of their Master, they must slight the opinions and
censures of their fellow-servants: <i>But with me,</i> saith the
apostle, <i>it is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or
of man's judgment,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.3" parsed="|1Cor|4|3|0|0" passage="1Co 4:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>. Indeed, reputation and esteem among men are a good
step towards usefulness in the ministry; and Paul's whole argument
upon this head shows he had a just concern for his own reputation.
But he that would make it his chief endeavour to please men would
hardly approve himself a faithful servant of Christ, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Gal.1.10" parsed="|Gal|1|10|0|0" passage="Ga 1:10">Gal. i. 10</scripRef>. He that would be faithful
to Christ must despise the censures of men for his sake. He must
look upon it as a very little thing (if his Lord approves him) what
judgment men form of him. They may think very meanly or very hardly
of him, while he is doing his duty; but it is not by their judgment
that he must stand or fall. And happy is it for faithful ministers
that they have a more just and candid judge than their
fellow-servants; one who knows and pities their imperfections,
though he has none of his own. It is better to <i>fall into the
hands of God than into the hands of men,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.24.14" parsed="|2Sam|24|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 24:14">2 Sam. xxiv. 14</scripRef>. The best of men are too apt
to judge rashly, and harshly, and unjustly; but his judgment is
always according to truth. It is a comfort that men are not to be
our final judges. Nay, we are not thus to judge ourselves: "<i>Yea,
I judge not myself. For though I know nothing by myself,</i> cannot
charge myself with unfaithfulness, <i>yet I am not thereby
justified,</i> this will not clear me of the charge; <i>but he that
judgeth me is the Lord.</i> It is his judgment that must determine
me. By his sentence I must abide. Such I am as he shall find and
judge me to be." Note, It is not judging well of ourselves,
justifying ourselves, that will prove us safe and happy. Nothing
will do this but the acceptance and approbation of our sovereign
Judge. <i>Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he whom
the Lord commendeth,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.10.18" parsed="|2Cor|10|18|0|0" passage="2Co 10:18">2 Cor. x.
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p5">III. The apostle takes occasion hence to
caution the Corinthians against censoriousness—the forward and
severe judging of others: <i>Therefore judge nothing before the
time, until the Lord come,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.5" parsed="|1Cor|4|5|0|0" passage="1Co 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. It is judging out of season, and
judging at an adventure. He is not to be understood of judging by
persons in authority, within the verge of their office, nor of
private judging concerning facts that are notorious; but of judging
persons' future state, or the secret springs and principles of
their actions, or about facts doubtful in themselves. To judge in
these cases, and give decisive sentence, is to assume the seat of
God and challenge his prerogative. Note, How bold a sinner is the
forward and severe censurer! How ill-timed and arrogant are his
censures! But there is one who will judge the censurer, and those
he censures, without prejudice, passion, or partiality. And there
is a time coming when men cannot fail judging aright concerning
themselves and others, by following his judgment. This should make
them now cautious of judging others, and careful in judging
themselves. There is a time coming when <i>the Lord will bring to
light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels
of the hearts</i>—deeds of darkness that are now done in secret,
and all the secret inclinations, purposes, and intentions, of the
hidden man of the heart. Note, There is a day coming that will
dispel the darkness and lay open the face of the deep, will fetch
men's secret sins into open day and discover the secrets of their
hearts: <i>The day shall declare it.</i> The judge will bring these
things to light. The Lord Jesus Christ will manifest the counsels
of the heart, of all hearts. Note, The Lord Jesus Christ must have
the knowledge of the counsels of the heart, else he could not make
them manifest. This is a divine prerogative (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.17.10" parsed="|Jer|17|10|0|0" passage="Jer 17:10">Jer. xvii. 10</scripRef>), and yet it is what our
Saviour challenges to himself in a very peculiar manner (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.2.23" parsed="|Rev|2|23|0|0" passage="Re 2:23">Rev. ii. 23</scripRef>): <i>All the churches
shall know that I am HE who searcheth the reins and hearts, and I
will give to every one of you according to your works.</i> Note, We
should be very careful how we censure others, when we have to do
with a Judge from whom we cannot conceal ourselves. Others do not
lie open to our notice, but we lie all open to his: and, when he
shall come to judge, <i>every man shall have praise of God. Every
man,</i> that is, every one qualified for it, every one who has
done well. Though none of God's servants can deserve any thing from
him, though there be much that is blamable even in their best
services, yet shall their fidelity be commended and crowned by him;
and should they be condemned, reproached, or vilified, by their
fellow-servants, he will roll away all such unjust censures and
reproaches, and show them in their own amiable light. Note,
Christians may well be patient under unjust censures, when they
know such a day as this is coming, especially when they have their
consciences testifying to their integrity. But how fearful should
they be of loading any with reproaches now whom their common Judge
shall hereafter commend.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p6">IV. The apostle here lets us into the
reason why he had used his own name and that of Apollos in this
discourse of his. He had done <i>it in a figure,</i> and <i>he had
done it for their sakes.</i> He chose rather to mention his own
name, and the name of a faithful fellow-labourer, than the names of
any heads of factions among them, that hereby he might avoid what
would provoke, and so procure for his advice the greater regard.
Note, Ministers should use prudence in their advices and
admonitions, but especially in their reproofs, lest they lose their
end. The advice the apostle would by this means inculcate was
<i>that they might learn not to think of men above what is
written</i> (above what he had been writing), <i>nor be puffed up
for one against another</i> (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.6" parsed="|1Cor|4|6|0|0" passage="1Co 4:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>). Apostles were not to be esteemed other than planters
or waterers in God's husbandry, master-builders in his building,
stewards of his mysteries, and servants of Christ. And common
ministers cannot bear these characters in the same sense that
apostles did. Note, We must be very careful not to transfer the
honour and authority of the Master to his servant. <i>We must call
no man Master on earth; one is our Master, even Christ,</i>
<scripRef id="iCor.v-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.23.8 Bible:Matt.23.10" parsed="|Matt|23|8|0|0;|Matt|23|10|0|0" passage="Mt 23:8,10">Matt. xxiii. 8, 10</scripRef>. We
must not think of them above what is written. Note, The word of God
is the best rule by which to judge concerning men. And again,
judging rightly concerning men, and not judging more highly of them
than is fit, is one way to prevent quarrels and contentions in the
churches. Pride commonly lies at the bottom of these quarrels.
Self-conceit contributes very much to our immoderate esteem of our
teachers, as well as ourselves. Our commendation of our own taste
and judgment commonly goes along with our unreasonable applause,
and always with a factious adherence to one teacher, in opposition
to others that may be equally faithful and well qualified. But to
think modestly of ourselves, and not above what is written of our
teachers, is the most effectual means to prevent quarrels and
contests, sidings and parties, in the church. We shall not be
puffed up for one against another if we remember that they are all
instruments employed by God in his husbandry and building, and
endowed by him with their various talents and qualifications.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCor.v-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.7-1Cor.4.13" parsed="|1Cor|4|7|4|13" passage="1Co 4:7-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Cor.4.7-1Cor.4.13">
<h4 id="iCor.v-p6.4">Caution against Censoriousness; Distressed
Condition of the Apostles. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCor.v-p6.5">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCor.v-p7">7 For who maketh thee to differ <i>from
another?</i> and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if
thou didst receive <i>it,</i> why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst
not received <i>it?</i>   8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich,
ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did
reign, that we also might reign with you.   9 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.   10 We <i>are</i> fools for Christ's sake, but ye
<i>are</i> wise in Christ; we <i>are</i> weak, but ye <i>are</i>
strong; ye <i>are</i> honourable, but we <i>are</i> despised.
  11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst,
and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
dwelling-place;   12 And labour, working with our own hands:
being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:   13
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world,
<i>and are</i> the offscouring of all things unto this day.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p8">Here the apostle improves the foregoing
hint to a caution against pride and self-conceit, and sets forth
the temptations the Corinthians had to despise him, from the
difference of their circumstances.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p9">I. He cautions them against pride and
self-conceit by this consideration, that all the distinction made
among them was owing to God: <i>Who maketh thee to differ? And what
hast thou that thou didst not receive?</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.7" parsed="|1Cor|4|7|0|0" passage="1Co 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Here the apostle turns his
discourse to the ministers who set themselves at the head of these
factions, and did but too much encourage and abet the people in
those feuds. What had they to glory in, when all their peculiar
gifts were from God? They had received them, and could not glory in
them as their own, without wronging God. At the time when they
reflected on them to feed their vanity, they should have considered
them as so many debts and obligations to divine bounty and grace.
But it may be taken as a general maxim: We have no reason to be
proud of our attainments, enjoyments, or performances; all that we
have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich
grace of God. Boasting is for ever excluded. There is nothing we
have that we can properly call our own: all is received from God.
It is foolish in us therefore, and injurious to him, to boast of
it; those who receive all should be proud of nothing, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.115.1" parsed="|Ps|115|1|0|0" passage="Ps 115:1">Ps. cxv. 1</scripRef>. Beggars and dependents
may glory in their supports; but to glory in themselves is to be
proud at once of meanness, impotence, and want. Note, Due attention
to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance and
self-conceit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p10">II. He presses the duty of humility upon
them by a very smart irony, or at least reproves them for their
pride and self-conceit: "<i>You are full, you are rich, you have
reigned as kings without us.</i> You have not only a sufficiency,
but an affluence, of spiritual gifts; nay, you can make them the
matter of your glory <i>without us,</i> that is, in my absence, and
without having any need of me." There is a very elegant gradation
from sufficiency to wealth, and thence to royalty, to intimate how
much the Corinthians were elated by the abundance of their wisdom
and spiritual gifts, which was a humour that prevailed among them
while the apostle was away from them, and made them forget what an
interest he had in all. See how apt pride is to overrate benefits
and overlook the benefactor, to swell upon its possessions and
forget from whom they come; nay, it is apt to behold them in a
magnifying-glass: "<i>You have reigned as kings,</i>" says the
apostle, "that is, in your own conceit; and <i>I would to God you
did reign, that we also might reign with you.</i> I wish you had as
much of the true glory of a Christian church upon you as you
arrogate to yourselves. I should come in then for a share of the
honour: <i>I should reign with you:</i> I should not be overlooked
by you as now I am, but valued and regarded as a minister of
Christ, and a very useful instrument among you." Note, Those do not
commonly know themselves best who think best of themselves, who
have the highest opinion of themselves. The Corinthians might have
reigned, and the apostle with them, if they had not been blown up
with an imaginary royalty. Note, Pride is a great prejudice to our
improvement. He is stopped from growing wiser or better who thinks
himself at the height; not only full, but rich, nay, a king.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p11">III. He comes to set forth his own
circumstances and those of the other apostles, and compares them
with theirs. 1. To set forth the case of the apostles: <i>For I
think it hath pleased God to set forth us the apostles last, as it
were appointed to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world,
and to angels, and to men.</i> Paul and his fellow-apostles were
exposed to great hardships. Never were any men in this world so
hunted and worried. They carried their lives in their hands: <i>God
hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to
death,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.9" parsed="|1Cor|4|9|0|0" passage="1Co 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. An
allusion is made to some of the bloody spectacles in the Roman
amphitheatres, where men were exposed to fight with wild beasts, or
to cut one another to pieces, to make diversion for the populace,
where the victor did not escape with his life, though he should
destroy his adversary, but was only reserved for another combat,
and must be devoured or cut in pieces at last; so that such
wretched criminals (for they were ordinarily condemned persons that
were thus exposed) might very properly be called
<b><i>epithanatioi</i></b>—<i>persons devoted or appointed to
death.</i> They are said to be set forth last, because the meridian
gladiators, those who combated one another in the after-part of the
day, were most exposed, being obliged to fight naked; so that (as
Seneca says, <i>epist.</i> 7) this was perfect butchery, and those
exposed to beasts in the morning were treated mercifully in
comparison with these. The general meaning is that the apostles
were exposed to continual danger of death, and that of the worst
kinds, in the faithful discharge of their office. God had set them
forth, brought them into view, as the Roman emperors brought their
combatants into the arena, the place of show, though not for the
same purposes. They did it to please the populace, and humour their
own vanity, and sometimes a much worse principle. The apostles were
shown to manifest the power of divine grace, to confirm the truth
of their mission and doctrine, and to propagate religion in the
world. These were ends worthy of God—noble views, fit to animate
them to the combat. But they had like difficulties to encounter,
and were in a manner as much exposed as these miserable Roman
criminals. Note, The office of an apostle was, as an honourable, so
a hard and hazardous one: "<i>For we are made a spectacle to the
world, and to angels, and to men,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.9" parsed="|1Cor|4|9|0|0" passage="1Co 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. A <i>show.</i> We are brought
into the theatre, brought out to the public view of the world.
Angels and men are witnesses to our persecutions, sufferings,
patience, and magnanimity. They all see that we suffer for our
fidelity to Christ, and how we suffer; how great and imminent are
our dangers, and how bravely we encounter them; how sharp our
sufferings, and how patiently we endure them, by the power of
divine grace and our Christian principles. Ours is hard work, but
honourable; it is hazardous, but glorious. God will have honour
from us, religion will be credited by us. The world cannot but see
and wonder at our undaunted resolution, our invincible patience and
constancy." And how contentedly could they be exposed, both to
sufferings and scorn, for the honour of their Master! Note, The
faithful ministers and disciples of Christ should contentedly
undergo any thing for his sake and honour. 2. He compares his own
case with that of the Corinthians: "<i>We are fools for Christ's
sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong;
you are honourable, but we are despised,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.10" parsed="|1Cor|4|10|0|0" passage="1Co 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. <i>We are fools for Christ's
sake;</i> such in common account, and we are well content to be so
accounted. We can pass for fools in the world, and be despised as
such, so that the wisdom of God and the honour of the gospel may by
this means be secured and displayed." Note, Faithful ministers can
bear being despised, so that the wisdom of God and the power of his
grace be thereby displayed. "<i>But you are wise in Christ.</i> You
have the fame of being wise and learned Christians, and you do not
a little value yourselves upon it. We are under disgrace for
delivering the plain truths of the gospel, and in as plain a
manner: you are in reputation for your eloquence and human wisdom,
which among many make you pass for wise men in Christ. <i>We are
weak, but you are strong.</i> We are suffering for Christ's sake"
(so being weak plainly signifies, <scripRef id="iCor.v-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.12.10" parsed="|2Cor|12|10|0|0" passage="2Co 12:10">2
Cor. xii. 10</scripRef>), "when you are in easy and flourishing
circumstances." Note, All Christians are not alike exposed. Some
suffer greater hardships than others who are yet engaged in the
same warfare. The standard-bearers in an army are most struck at.
So ministers in a time of persecution are commonly the first and
greatest sufferers. Or else, "We pass upon the world for persons of
but mean endowments, mere striplings in Christianity; but you look
upon yourselves, and are looked upon by others, as men, as those of
a much more advanced growth and confirmed strength." Note, Those
are not always the greatest proficients in Christianity who think
thus of themselves, or pass for such upon others. It is but too
easy and common for self-love to commit such a mistake. The
Corinthians may think themselves, and be esteemed by others, as
wiser and stronger men in Christ than the apostles themselves. But
O! how gross is the mistake!</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p12">IV. He enters into some particularities of
their sufferings: <i>Even to this present hour;</i> that is, after
all the service we have been doing among you and other churches,
<i>we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have
no certain dwelling-place, and labour, working with our own
hands,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.11-1Cor.4.12" parsed="|1Cor|4|11|4|12" passage="1Co 4:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11,
12</scripRef>. Nay, they were <i>made as the filth of the world,
and the off-scouring of all things,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.13" parsed="|1Cor|4|13|0|0" passage="1Co 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. They were forced to labour with
their own hands to get subsistence, and had so much, and so much
greater, business to mind, that they could not attend enough to
this, to get a comfortable livelihood, but were exposed to hunger,
thirst, and nakedness—many times wanted meat, and drink, and
clothes. They were driven about the world, without having any fixed
abode, any stated habitation. Poor circumstances indeed, for the
prime ministers of our Saviour's kingdom to have no house nor home,
and to be destitute of food and raiment! But yet no poorer than his
who had not <i>where to lay his head,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.9.58" parsed="|Luke|9|58|0|0" passage="Lu 9:58">Luke ix. 58</scripRef>. But O glorious charity and
devotion, that would carry them through all these hardships! How
ardently did they love God, how vehemently did they thirst for the
salvation of souls! Theirs was voluntary, it was pleasing poverty.
They thought they had a rich amends for all the outward good things
they wanted, if they might but serve Christ and save souls. Nay,
though they <i>were made the filth of the world, and the
off-scouring of all things.</i> They were treated as men not fit to
live, <b><i>perikatharmata.</i></b> It is reasonably thought by the
critics that an allusion is here made to a common custom of many
heathen nations, to offer men in sacrifice in a time of pestilence,
or other like grievous calamity. These were ordinarily the vilest
of men, persons of the lowest rank and worst character. Thus, in
the first ages, Christians were counted the source of all public
calamities, and were sacrificed to the people's rage, if not to
appease their angry deities. And apostles could not meet with
better usage. They suffered in their persons and characters as the
very worst and vilest men, as the most proper to make such a
sacrifice: or else as the very dirt of the world, that was to be
swept away: nay, as the <i>off-scouring of all things,</i> the
dross, the filings of all things. They were the common-sewer into
which all the reproaches of the world were to be poured. To be the
off-scouring of any thing is bad, but what is it to be the
off-scouring of all things! How much did the apostles resemble
their Master, <i>and fill up that which was behind of his
afflictions, for his body's sake, which is the church!</i>
<scripRef id="iCor.v-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Col.1.24" parsed="|Col|1|24|0|0" passage="Col 1:24">Col. i. 24</scripRef>. They suffered
for him, and they suffered after his example. Thus poor and
despised was he in his life and ministry. And every one who would
be faithful in Christ Jesus must prepare for the same poverty and
contempt. Note, Those may be very dear to God, and honourable in
his esteem, whom men may think unworthy to live, and use and scorn
as the very dirt and refuse of the world. <i>God seeth not as man
seeth,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.16.7" parsed="|1Sam|16|7|0|0" passage="1Sa 16:7">1 Sam. xvi.
7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p13">V. We have here the apostles' behaviour
under all; and the return they made for this mal-treatment:
<i>Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; being
defamed, we entreat,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.12-1Cor.4.13" parsed="|1Cor|4|12|4|13" passage="1Co 4:12,13"><i>v.</i>
12, 13</scripRef>. They returned blessings for reproaches, and
entreaties and kind exhortations for the rudest slanders and
defamation, and were patient under the sharpest persecutions. Note,
The disciples of Christ, and especially his ministers, should hold
fast their integrity, and keep a good conscience, whatever
opposition of hardships they meet with from the world. Whatever
they suffer from men, they must follow the example, and fulfil the
will and precepts, of their Lord. They must be content, with him
and for him, to be despised and abused.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCor.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.14-1Cor.4.16" parsed="|1Cor|4|14|4|16" passage="1Co 4:14-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Cor.4.14-1Cor.4.16">
<h4 id="iCor.v-p13.3">Paul's Tenderness and
Affection. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCor.v-p13.4">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCor.v-p14">14 I write not these things to shame you, but as
my beloved sons I warn <i>you.</i>   15 For though ye have ten
thousand instructors in Christ, yet <i>have ye</i> not many
fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the
gospel.   16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of
me.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p15">Here Paul challenges their regard to him as
their father. He tells them, 1. That what he had written was not
for their reproach, but admonition; not with the gall of an enemy,
but the bowels of a father (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.14" parsed="|1Cor|4|14|0|0" passage="1Co 4:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>): <i>I write not to shame you, but as my beloved
children I warn you.</i> Note, In reproving for sin, we should have
a tender regard to the reputation, as well as the reformation, of
the sinner. We should aim to distinguish between them and their
sins, and take care not to discover any spite against them
ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and reproach in the world.
Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate, when those that
kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform. When the
affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a minister,
it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to lash
like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate. To
expose to open shame is but the way to render shameless. 2. He
shows them upon what foundation he claimed paternal relation to
them, and called them his sons. They might have other pedagogues or
instructors, but he was their father; <i>for in Christ Jesus he had
begotten them by the gospel,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.15" parsed="|1Cor|4|15|0|0" passage="1Co 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. They were made Christians by
his ministry. He had laid the foundation of a church among them.
Others could only build upon it. Whatever other teachers they had,
he was their spiritual father. He first brought them off from pagan
idolatry to the faith of the gospel and the worship of the true and
living God. He was the instrument of their new birth, and therefore
claimed the relation of a father to them, and felt the bowels of a
father towards them. Note, There commonly is, and always ought to
be, an endeared affection between faithful ministers and those they
beget in Christ Jesus through the gospel. They should love like
parents and children. 3. We have here the special advice he urges
on them: <i>Wherefore I beseech you be you followers of me,</i>
<scripRef id="iCor.v-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.16" parsed="|1Cor|4|16|0|0" passage="1Co 4:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. This he
elsewhere explains and limits (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.1" parsed="|1Cor|11|1|0|0" passage="1Co 11:1"><i>ch.</i> xi. 1</scripRef>): "<i>Be you followers of
me, as I also am of Christ.</i> Follow me as far as I follow
Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those
instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my
disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister
and disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my
disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful
steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my
master Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps." Note,
Ministers should so live that their people may take pattern from
them, and live after their copy. They should guide them by their
lives as well as their lips, go before them in the way to heaven,
and not content themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers
are to set a pattern, others must take it. They should follow them
as far as they are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and
practice.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iCor.v-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.17-1Cor.4.21" parsed="|1Cor|4|17|4|21" passage="1Co 4:17-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Cor.4.17-1Cor.4.21">
<h4 id="iCor.v-p15.6">Paul's Affection and
Authority. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iCor.v-p15.7">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iCor.v-p16">17 For this cause have I sent unto you
Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who
shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as
I teach every where in every church.   18 Now some are puffed
up, as though I would not come to you.   19 But I will come to
you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of
them which are puffed up, but the power.   20 For the kingdom
of God <i>is</i> not in word, but in power.   21 What will ye?
shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and <i>in</i> the
spirit of meekness?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p17">Here, I. He tells them of his having sent
Timothy to them, <i>to bring them into remembrance of his ways in
Christ, as he taught every where in every church</i> (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.17" parsed="|1Cor|4|17|0|0" passage="1Co 4:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>)—to remind them of his
ways in Christ, to refresh their memory as to his preaching and
practice, what he taught, and how he lived among them. Note, Those
who have had ever so good teaching are apt to forget, and need to
have their memories refreshed. The same truth, taught over again,
if it give no new light, may make new and quicker impression. He
also lets them know that <i>his teaching was the same every where,
and in every church.</i> He had not one doctrine for one place and
people, and another for another. He kept close to his instructions.
What <i>he received of the Lord, that he delivered,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.23" parsed="|1Cor|11|23|0|0" passage="1Co 11:23"><i>ch.</i> xi. 23</scripRef>. This was the
gospel revelation, which was the equal concern of all men, and did
not very from itself. He therefore taught the same things in every
church, and lived after the same manner in all times and places.
Note, The truth of Christ is one and invariable. What one apostle
taught every one taught. What one apostle taught at one time and in
one place, he taught at all times and in all places. Christians may
mistake and differ in their apprehensions, but Christ and Christian
truth <i>are the same yesterday, today, and for ever,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.8" parsed="|Heb|13|8|0|0" passage="Heb 13:8">Heb. xiii. 8</scripRef>. To render their regard
to Timothy the greater, he gives them his character. He was <i>his
beloved son,</i> a spiritual child of his, as well as themselves.
Note, Spiritual brotherhood should engage affection as well as what
is common and natural. The children of one father should have one
heart. But he adds, "<i>He is faithful in the
Lord</i>—trustworthy, as one that feared the Lord. He will be
faithful in the particular office he has now received of the Lord,
the particular errand on which he comes; not only from me, but from
Christ. He knows what I have taught, and what my conversation has
been in all places, and, you may depend upon it, he will make a
faithful report." Note, It is a great commendation of any minister
that he is faithful in the Lord, faithful to his soul, to his
light, to his trust from God; this must go a great way in procuring
regard to his message with those that fear God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p18">II. He rebukes the vanity of those who
imagined he would not come to them, by letting them know this was
his purpose, though he had sent Timothy: "<i>I will come to you
shortly,</i> though some of you are so vain as to think I will
not." But he adds, <i>if the Lord will.</i> It seems, as to the
common events of life, apostles knew no more than other men, nor
were they in these points under inspiration. For, had the apostle
certainly known the mind of God in this matter, he would not have
expressed himself with this certainty. But he sets a good example
to us in it. Note, All our purposes must be formed with a
dependence on Providence, and a reserve for the overruling purposes
of God. <i>If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this and
that,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Jas.4.15" parsed="|Jas|4|15|0|0" passage="Jam 4:15">Jam. iv. 15</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p19">III. He lets them know what would follow
upon his coming to them: <i>I will know, not the speech of those
that are puffed up, but the power,</i> <scripRef id="iCor.v-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.19" parsed="|1Cor|4|19|0|0" passage="1Co 4:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. He would bring the great
pretenders among them to a trial, would know what they were, not by
their rhetoric or philosophy, but by the authority and efficacy of
what they taught, whether they could confirm it by miraculous
operations, and whether it was accompanied with divine influences
and saving effects on the minds of men. For, adds he, <i>the
kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.</i> It is not set up,
nor propagated, nor established, in the hearts of men, by plausible
reasonings nor florid discourses, but by the external power of the
Holy Spirit in miraculous operations at first, and the powerful
influence of divine truth on the minds and manners of men. Note, It
is a good way in the general to judge of a preacher's doctrine, to
see whether the effects of it upon men's hearts to be truly divine.
That is most likely to come from God which in its own nature is
most fit, and in event is found to produce most likeness to God, to
spread piety and virtue, to change men's hearts and mend their
manners.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iCor.v-p20">IV. He puts it to their choice how he
should come among them, <i>whether with a rod or in love and the
spirit of meekness</i> (<scripRef id="iCor.v-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.21" parsed="|1Cor|4|21|0|0" passage="1Co 4:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>); that is, according as they were they would find
him. If they continued perverse among themselves and with him, it
would be necessary to come with a rod; that is, to exert his
apostolical power in chastising them, by making some examples, and
inflicting some diseases and corporal punishments, or by other
censures for their faults. Note, Stubborn offenders must be used
with severity. In families, in Christian communities, paternal pity
and tenderness, Christian love and compassion, will sometimes force
the use of the rod. But this is far from being desirable, if it may
be prevented. And therefore the apostle adds that it was in their
own option whether he should come with a rod or in a quite
different disposition and manner: <i>Or in love and the spirit of
meekness.</i> As much as if he had said, "Take warning, cease your
unchristian feuds, rectify the abuses among you, and return to your
duty, and you shall find me as gentle and benign as you can with.
It will be a force upon my inclination to proceed with severity. I
had rather come and display the tenderness of a father among you
than assert his authority. Do but your duty, and you have no reason
to avoid my presence." Note, It is a happy temper in a minister to
have the spirit of love and meekness predominant, and yet to
maintain his just authority.</p>
</div></div2>