1 Cor 4

 

Footnotes

1. 4:1 Paul uses an unusual Greek word, huperetes, which means “subordinate” or “personal assistant.” The compound word huperetes literally means “under-rowers,” and it is used in classical Greek to describe those who sit on benches in the lower parts of the ship rowing. Apostolic ministry does not mean that an apostle is seen as important and in first place, but as one who will often be in a hidden role of moving a church and region forward as a subordinate of our captain, Jesus Christ.
2. 4:1 Or “stewards” (“estate managers,” “trustees”). Paul is here referring to the apostles who helped establish and set in order the church at Corinth.
3. 4:4 Both here and in v. 5, the Aramaic can be translated “Lord Yahweh.”
4. 4:5 The Aramaic can be translated “He will pour light upon the hidden things of darkness.”
5. 4:5 The clear inference is that God will bring to light the secret motives of love, faithfulness, righteousness, kindness, etc.—not only evil motives, but the pure motives of believers. When the Lord judges his godly lovers, their secret devotion and sacrifices will all be brought into the light and God will praise them for their faithful love. The reward of eternity will be that God affirms them. The word for “praise” can actually be translated, “thanks from God.” Can you imagine the day coming when God praises his faithful servants? See also 1 John 4:17–19.
6. 4:7 Or “Who sees anything different in you?” The answer to this rhetorical question is “God.”
7. 4:7 Or “What do you have that you have not received?” The answer to this rhetorical question is “Nothing.”
8. 4:7 Or “Why do you boast as though you did not receive it because of grace?” The church at Corinth was split into different factions, each following a different leader. Apparently, each clique thought they had the truth because they had a more anointed leader. But Paul exhorts them not to put their confidence in their hero-leader, because each leader is nothing more than a servant who receives God’s grace to minister according to his or her gift. No leader has a greater status than another.
9. 4:8 The Greek text uses a metaphor of overfed farmyard animals. They were stuffed with self-importance.
10. 4:8 See Rev. 3:17. A smug, religious self-satisfaction is to have no place in our hearts. We must continually thirst for more of God. We have all things in Christ, but not all that he has given us has filled our hearts. Though we have every blessing, we must walk it out in our daily lives. With biting irony Paul uncovers their pride in thinking they have left the poor apostles behind and have become independent—greater and with more kingdom wealth than they. The deprivations and struggles of the apostles were looked down upon by the Corinthians. See also 2 Cor. 11:12–12:1. Although v. 8 is in the form of posing rhetorical questions (irony), it is possible to translate it this way: “You have already become full [like at a feast] and fully satisfied. You are already suddenly rich. You suddenly reign as kings apart from us.”
11. 4:8 The Aramaic continues the irony. “Come, share your royal reign with us so we too can rule with you!”
12. 4:10 Or “famous.”
13. 4:11 Or “wearing rags” (tattered and threadbare).
14. 4:11 Or “brutally beaten” (hit with fists). See Matt. 26:67; 2 Cor. 11:26.
15. 4:11 Or “homeless.”
16. 4:13 Or “We appeal to them” (directly).
17. 4:13 Or “scapegoats.”
18. 4:15 Or “guardians” (or “tutors”).
19. 4:16 Or “imitate me.” The Aramaic can be translated “I want you to resemble me.” Paul is saying, “Prove your parentage by your conduct; follow me like a father.”
20. 4:17 As translated from the Aramaic. The Greek is “He is faithful [dependable] in the Lord.”