1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4:1

SO account,] after hee had reproved the excesse of honour done to his Pa〈…〉 in taking them for heads, now he gives them a right temperature, how farre they should esteeme of 〈…〉, according to the properties of their office, which 〈◊〉 equally binde them, and their flocke Stewards, namely in the communication of knowledge, and 〈◊〉 the singular application of the use, for nourish〈…〉 and Physicke of the soule: all out of Gods go〈…〉 and not of their owne, and according to his commandement; not according to their owne will〈…〉 pleasure.

1 Corinthians 4:3

But with e,] if a Pastor hath the wi〈…〉 of this loyalty in his owne conscience; he 〈◊〉 not to make any account of mens sinister judments, who do assigne degrees of honour accord: to their owne minde. Now the Apostle propounds himselfe for example; because that his person and ministery, was fallen into contempt with the Corinthians, by the cunning of corrupt Pastors, 2 Corinthians 10:10 Yea I judge not,] I doe not enter into consideration nor doe not examine, what degree of honour I am worthy of, amongst them, or about them.

1 Corinthians 4:4

For I know nothing,] hee gives a reason why he so little cared for mens judgments Not hereby ju〈…〉d, that is to say esteemed and declared just before God, and worthy of the reward, as having full accomplished his worke because that even in the holiest there are defects which are hidden even from their owne consciences but manifest to God, Iob 34. 32. Psalms 19:12. 〈◊〉 Iohn 3. 20. And besides that, the person is not receaved into grace by reason of the workes, but contrariwise, the workes are accepted, for love of the person which is already justid That judgeth me,] to whom it only belongeth to absolve me of my faults, and to assigne me praise and reward for my service, according as out of his grace hee shall bee pleased to accept of it, and crowne it.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Judge nothing,] namely with such kinde of judgements as cannot chuse but be rash; seeing that 〈◊〉 esteeming, of men, we ought principally to looke to the heart and to the conscience, which in this world is knowne to God only, who will not make it manifest, but only at the last judgement.

1 Corinthians 4:6

Tranerred,] in these reproofes of your partialities. I have represented the heads of them under the names of us Apostles, 1 Cor. 1. 12. and 3. 4. not that in deed we had any part therein, but only to spare your guiltie Pastors, and to shew them by our example how to correct the root of evil, which is the affectation of worldly knowledge & eloquence which raiseth diversitie of passionate judgments: and draweth on followers by a foolish admiration after it, and to conforme themselves to the perpetuall stile of the Holy Ghost, in Scripture, as all we most conformably doe: whereupon also amongst us there groweth o subject of division Be pued up,] that yee doe not grow proud by reason of the excellencie of the Pastor with whom each of you holds, to the depressing of another Pastor, and his followers.

1 Corinthians 4:7

For who,] hee directeth this speech to the Pastors, as saying. Who hath given thee this preheminence which thou affectest? o by whom hast thou beene chosen out of the communitie of the Church, to so excellent a calling? is it not by God, and by his grace, and not by men, containe thy selfe therefore in humility and serve God, and not mens passions.

1 Corinthians 4:8

Now yeare.] an ironicall reprehension of the presumption w raigned in the Corinthian Church Would to God,] hee continueth in his Ironia. The meaning is: yee are indeed happier, and in better estate then we poore Apostles, who are afflicted persecuted and contemned in the world, wee might indeed have good cause to desire, that wee might bee partakers of your goods, if they were true, and reall: seeing that our life, is like unto the life of wretched malefactors, who doe daily expect their punishment: after they have according to the custome of those times, beene ignominiously lead up and downe, round about the market places, and theators.

1 Corinthians 4:9

The Apostles last,] the Italian, The last Apostles,] Saint Paul speaketh of himselfe alone, or of Apollo, also called to the Apostleship after all the rest: which was made matter of contempt against Paul: as it should seeme here implicitly to reproove the Corinthians for Aspectacle,] a solemn example of strange sufferances, and troubles, in the fight of men and Angels, who are as spectators and witnesses of beleevers combates in the theater of the world. See upon Hebrews 12:1.

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fooles,] renouncing all humane wisdome, to give way only to the motions of the spirit, and preaching Christ in vertue of it, wee are accounted to bee madde, Acts 17. 18. and 26. 24. See a Kings 9. 11 But yee are,] namely mingling worldly wisdome with the Gospell, you hold your selves to bee therefore, very wise and full of knowledge, and doe thereby purchase honour before the world.

1 Corinthians 4:11

Are buffeted,] a kind of an ignominious outrage, Acts 23:2. See Lamen. 3. 30. Micah 5:1-15. 〈◊〉. Matthew 5:39. 1 Peter 2:20.

1 Corinthians 4:14

To shame you,] to scoffe at your vanitie by comparing mine estate with yours.

1 Corinthians 4:15

Instructers,] plaine teachers of Christian doctrine, as your Pastors are, without any fatherly bowels or care Fathers,] namely such as I am, as well by reason, that I have beene the first that have brought you the good tydings of the Gospell as also by reason of my fatherly affection towards you Begotten you,] that is to say. I have been an instrument of your conversion to the faith; by meanes of which yee are become members of Christ, and of his Church.

1 Corinthians 4:17

In the Lord,] namely in his worke and service. Or in the communion of Christ, and by his Spirit: these termes being very frequent in Saint Paul, to distinguish spirituall actions, and motions, from those which are meerely naturall and humane Of my ways,] namely my proceedings, all my life time and my Chistian actions, or my way of preaching of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:18

Puffed up,] they are become insolent, and wilfull, as if I should never come to enlighten them with my presence, nor represse them by mine Apostolicall authoritie.

1 Corinthians 4:19

The speech,] namely their vaine ostentation of knowledge and eloquence The power,] namely the sincere zeale of God, the strength of faith, and the spirituall efficacie of their ministery, a manifest signe of Gods appobation and blessing.

1 Corinthians 4:20

The kngdome,] that is to sa Christ doth not governe the hearts of his by rethoricall art, nor by talke, after the manner of worldly stares, but by the strength of his spirit; which gives life unto the Pastors word, and joynes it selfe to a lawfull preachg.

1 Corinthians 4:21

With a rod,] namely with severity to chastise you, and to correct your disorders In Love,] so that you amend of your selves.