1 Cor. 4:8. Oh, if only you truly were reigning, so that we also might reign with you!
Oh, if only, he says, you reigned, that is, attained perfection! Then, lest the statement seem like mockery, he adds: "that we also might reign with you," that is, receive those very same blessings. For your glory is mine, because for every teacher the perfection of his disciples is something greatly desired.
1 Cor. 4:9. For I think that God has exhibited us, the last apostles, as men condemned to death.
Words characteristic of a man who is grieving, or rather, of one who wishes to put others to shame. As I see, he says, from your conduct, God has appointed us alone, the apostles, to be last of all and "sentenced to death," that is, condemned, ready for death. Indeed, from the fact that you have already begun to reign, I can conclude that we have been appointed to be last and as if condemned — we the apostles, that is, those who have endured so many sufferings for Christ.
1 Cor. 4:9. For we have become a spectacle to the world, to Angels and to men.
We suffer not in some corner, but throughout the whole earth. And not only men watch us, for our deeds are not insignificant, but angels as well, because our struggles are so great that they are worthy even of angelic contemplation; for we wrestle not only against men, but also against the powers of evil angels.
1 Cor. 4:10. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ.
And he says this again in order to shame them: While the apostles were beaten and despised for Christ, the Corinthians were respected and honored as wise and boasted as if all this were in Christ. Therefore he says: how is it possible for such opposites to coexist in people with the same way of thinking? No. It must be admitted that either our way of thinking is not in Christ, or yours; but to think not in Christ is unworthy of the apostles of Christ: therefore, you are mistaken.
1 Cor. 4:10. We are weak, but you are strong; you are in glory, but we are in dishonor.
That is, we are driven out, persecuted, while you enjoy safety (by weakness he everywhere means temptations). Again, you are glorious and noble, while we are in dishonor. All this he says out of strong indignation. The meaning is this: how is it possible that we suffer affliction while you enjoy safety and lead a happy life? So then, it is evident that you are not in a good condition; on the contrary, your present conduct is dishonorable and unworthy of apostles, and therefore you ought not to boast of it.
1 Cor. 4:11. Even unto this present hour we endure hunger and thirst, and nakedness.
What, he says, is the point of recalling the past? Look at what is now — at how you are drowning in pleasures, while we are quite the opposite.
1 Cor. 4:11. And beatings.
That is, we are beaten. He says this against the arrogant.
1 Cor. 4:11. And we wander.
That is, they persecute us; we flee. This is against the rich.
1 Cor. 4:12. And we labor, working with our own hands.
This puts to shame those who dare to preach for profit and gain.
1 Cor. 4:12-13. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat.
And, – what is most important of all, he says, – we do not even consider ourselves unfortunate amid such calamities. And how is this evident? From the fact that we repay those who afflict us with the opposite. For those who revile us, we bless, and those who inflict upon us even harsher injuries (this is the meaning of "defaming," that is, the most severe injury) we "entreat" (παρακαλοΰμεν), that is, in return for defamation we repay them with words gentle and kind (this is the meaning of "entreating," that is, speech that is gentle). For such conduct, Christians are considered mad!
1 Cor. 4:13. We are as the refuse of the world, as the offscouring (περίφημα) trampled by all, unto this day.
What is "offscouring"? Everything that is swept away or wiped off as worthless. Thus, if someone wipes away something filthy with a sponge, they call it offscouring. This also means "dust, trampled by all"; for to trample (περιφάν) is the same as to wipe around with a sponge. So the apostle says: we are worthy of being rejected and regarded as offscouring not only by you, but by the whole world and all people, and not just for a time, but even unto this day. Note what a Christian ought to be like; note that he is obligated to strive until the very end.
1 Cor. 4:14. I write not these things to shame you, but I admonish you as my beloved children.
I do not write this to shame you, he says, and not with an evil and hateful intention do I say this; but "as beloved children" (I admonish you), and not simply children, but "beloved." Forgive me, then, if I have said anything offensive, for this comes from love. And he did not say: I reproach, but "I admonish." Who would not endure a father's admonition?
1 Cor. 4:15. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers.