Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 4

Verse 1

1 Corinthians 4:1

Verse 2

1 Corinthians 4:2

Stewards -- We are stewards of the truth.

Verse 4

1 Corinthians 4:4

By myself -- "against" ASV, NIV "my conscience is clear."

Verse 5

1 Corinthians 4:5

Before the time -- Don’t form premature judgments. Romans 14:4

Verse 8

1 Corinthians 4:8

Have reigned as kings -- v. 8-13, the arrogance of the Corinthians. Paul’s sarcasm.

See Cambridge Greek N.T.; Barnes;

BKC; The Corinthians thought they had all they wanted (1 Corinthians 4:8), but they should have been hungering and thirsting for the practical righteousness they so desperately needed (Matthew 5:6). They thought of themselves as kings in need of nothing when in fact they were as needy as the foolish king in the children’s tale of the emperor’s new clothes, who blithely paraded nakedly before his subjects (cf. Revelation 3:17-18).

Verse 9

1 Corinthians 4:9

Last -- At the end of the Jewish Age (cf. John’s use of "last")

Verse 13

1 Corinthians 4:13

Verse 14

1 Corinthians 4:14

v. 14-21 - The warning and prevention (of arrogance).

Verse 15

1cor 4.15

not many fathers -- Spiritual fathers. That is, you have but one. You are to remember that however many teachers you have, yet that I alone am your spiritual father.

Verse 18

1 Corinthians 4:18

Puffed -- arrogant.