1 Corinthians 4:6 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 4:6 kjv
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
1 Corinthians 4:6 nkjv
Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
1 Corinthians 4:6 niv
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
1 Corinthians 4:6 esv
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
1 Corinthians 4:6 nlt
Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I've been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won't be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.
1 Corinthians 4 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:2 | "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it..." | Do not exceed what is written. |
| Deut 12:32 | "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it." | Adhere to God's commanded words. |
| Prov 30:5-6 | "Every word of God proves true... Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you..." | God's word is sufficient; adding is presumptuous. |
| Isa 8:20 | "To the law and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." | Scripture as the ultimate standard. |
| Matt 15:6-9 | "...you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition... teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." | Human tradition over divine commandment. |
| John 17:17 | "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." | God's Word is the source of truth and sanctification. |
| Gal 1:8-9 | "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." | Warning against teachings beyond divine revelation. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof..." | Sufficiency and authority of Scripture. |
| Rev 22:18-19 | "If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described... if anyone takes away..." | Solemn warning against altering God's words. |
| 1 Cor 1:12-13 | "What I mean is that each one of you says, 'I follow Paul,' or 'I follow Apollos'..." | Direct context of factionalism in Corinth. |
| 1 Cor 3:3-4 | "For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh...? For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not merely human?" | Further direct context on divisions over leaders. |
| 1 Cor 8:1 | "Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that 'all of us possess knowledge.' Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." | Knowledge without love leads to pride and division. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Warning against being "puffed up." |
| James 4:6 | "...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Humility versus the consequence of pride. |
| 1 Pet 5:5 | "...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" | Command for humility within the church. |
| Rom 12:3 | "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think..." | Guarding against self-exaltation. |
| Col 2:18 | "...puffed up without cause by his fleshly mind..." | Describing unwarranted pride. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Counter to "puffed up" and factionalism. |
| 1 Thess 1:6 | "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord..." | Paul as an example to follow. |
| Phil 3:17 | "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us." | Paul explicitly offered himself as an example. |
| Heb 13:7 | "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." | Imitating godly leaders. |
| Rom 16:17-18 | "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions... avoid them." | Avoidance of divisive individuals. |
1 Corinthians 4 verses
1 Corinthians 4 6 meaning
In 1 Corinthians 4:6, the Apostle Paul reveals a rhetorical strategy employed throughout his preceding arguments concerning church divisions. He explains that he has intentionally used himself and Apollos as examples to illustrate fundamental principles. The core message is twofold: first, to teach the Corinthians to adhere strictly to the written Word of God, not going beyond what Scripture reveals, and second, to curb their tendency toward spiritual arrogance and factionalism, where they would align themselves with and boast about one leader over another, creating division within the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 4 6 Context
This verse stands at a pivotal point, concluding Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians chapters 1-4, where he addresses the severe problem of disunity and factionalism within the Corinthian church. The believers were forming cliques around various prominent leaders, specifically Paul, Apollos, and Cephas, elevating human personalities and oratorical prowess over Christ's singular authority and the true nature of God's wisdom. This was rooted in Corinth's broader Hellenistic culture, which prized philosophical debate, eloquent rhetoric, and the forming of schools around influential teachers. Paul, by employing himself and Apollos as rhetorical figures (meteschematisa), seeks to expose the underlying spiritual immaturity, pride, and human wisdom that fueled these divisions. He's not indicating that he and Apollos are the cause of the problem, but rather using their public profiles to deflect blame from others more directly responsible, while simultaneously applying a general principle against partisan loyalty to any human leader within the church.
1 Corinthians 4 6 Word analysis
- Now these things (ταῦτα δέ - _tauta de_): This phrase serves as a transitional connector, explicitly referencing the preceding arguments in chapters 1-3. It points back to Paul's discussions on the folly of human wisdom, the power of God's seemingly weak message, and the ministerial roles of Paul and Apollos as mere servants of God, building on God's foundation (Christ).
- brothers (ἀδελφοί - _adelphoi_): A customary term of familial endearment and shared spiritual identity used by Paul, even amidst strong correction. It underscores his loving pastoral concern for their spiritual well-being.
- I have applied (μετεσχημάτισα - _meteschematisa_): From metaschematizo, meaning "to transfer," "to transform," or "to figure in another form." Paul intentionally shifted or 'figured' the principles of ministerial humility and subservience, initially discussing various ministers generally, specifically onto himself and Apollos. This was a pedagogical tactic, a rhetorical "transference," to avoid directly naming and shaming the specific leaders or factions who were genuinely the proud ones creating divisions, thereby offering a more palatable and unifying lesson.
- to myself and Apollos: These were two of the primary figures around whom the Corinthian factions had coalesced (1 Cor 1:12). By making them the examples, Paul effectively addresses the divisive loyalties without condemning either faithful minister, thereby de-escalating the personal offense while elevating the principle.
- for your sakes (δι᾽ ὑμᾶς - _di' hymas_): Paul's motivation is purely altruistic and pastoral. The entire exercise is for the spiritual benefit and growth of the Corinthians, aiming to bring them to unity, humility, and mature faith, not to defend himself or Apollos.
- that in us you may learn (ἵνα ἐν ἡμῖν μάθητε - _hina en hēmin mathēte_): This expresses the purpose of his rhetorical strategy. "In us" means by observing the exemplary attitude, teaching, and actions of Paul and Apollos as presented by Paul. "Learn" signifies a deep, practical understanding leading to changed behavior.
- not to exceed what is written (μὴ ὑπὲρ ἃ γέγραπται - _mē hyper ha gegraptai_):
- not to exceed (μὴ ὑπὲρ - _mē hyper_): A negative imperative urging against going "beyond" or "above." It sets a boundary.
- what is written (ἃ γέγραπται - _ha gegraptai_): The phrase explicitly refers to the Sacred Scriptures, understood by the early church to primarily mean the Old Testament, and by extension, the foundational apostolic teachings consistent with it and revealed by Christ. This signifies an ultimate authority, a fixed standard for faith, conduct, and judgment, particularly regarding leadership and evaluating ministers. It acts as a clear polemic against human philosophical speculation or culturally influenced wisdom that elevates personalities beyond the divine standard. The Corinthians were implicitly creating new criteria for leadership, influenced by Hellenistic rhetoric and intellectual pride.
- that no one of you may be puffed up (ἵνα μὴ εἷς φυσιούσθε - _hina mē heis physioushe_):
- puffed up (φυσιόω - _physioō_): A crucial term throughout 1 Corinthians, meaning "to inflate," "to make proud," or "to swell up" (1 Cor 8:1; Col 2:18). It describes an arrogant, conceited attitude, particularly intellectual or spiritual pride, leading to self-exaltation and looking down on others. This spiritual conceit was a fundamental problem in Corinth, manifesting in various ways.
- in favor of one against another (ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἑνὸς κατὰ τοῦ ἑτέρου - _hyper tou henos kata tou heterou_): This directly addresses the partisanship and rivalrous spirit among the Corinthian believers. "In favor of one" means elevating a particular leader or group, while "against another" indicates disdain or opposition towards others who align with a different leader. It clearly describes the sectarianism that fractures the church's unity.