i. Ministers (iwnpéras). See on officer, Matt. v. 25. Only here in Paul’s epistles.
Stewards. See on Luke xvi. 1.
2. It is required (fntetrac). Lit., 2 2s sought for; thus agreeing with found in the following clause.
3. A very small thing (eis éXdyorov). Lit., wnto a very small thing: it amounts to very little.
Judged. See on ch. ii. 14. Rev., in margin, examined.
Man’s judgment (av9pwivns juépas). Lit., man’s day, in contrast with the day of the Lord (ver. 5).
5. Judge (xpivere). See onch.ii. 14. The change of the verb favors the rendering examine for avaxpww. The Lord is the only competent examiner, therefore do not judge until He comes to judgment. Even I myself am not competent to insti- tute a conclusive examination, for the absence of condemnation from my conscience does not absolutely acquit me. See the critical note on 1 John iii. 19-22.
6. | have in a figure transferred (uetacynudtica). From perd, denoting exchange, and oxfjpa outward fashion. Here the fashion in which Paul expresses himself. See on transjig- ured, Matt. xvii. 2.
Not to go beyond the things which are written (70 imép & yéypartas). Lit. (that ye might learn) the not beyond what stands written. The article the introduces a proverbial expression. The impersonal ¢ ¢s wratten is commonly used of Old-Testament references.
Be puffed up (ducwie%). Used only by Paul in Corinth. jans and Colossians. From dica a pair of bellows.
8. Now ye are full (#n xexopecpévor éoré). Rev., better, filed. Tronical contrast between their attitude and that of the
206 WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. [Cu IV.
apostle in vv. 3,4. We are hungering for further revelations, ye are already filled without waiting for the Lord’s coming.
Ve have reigned (€8acvNevoate). American Rev., better, ye have come to reign, attained to dominion, that kingship which will be bestowed on Christians only at Christ’s coming.
Without us. Though it is through us that you are Christ- jans at all.
9. For. Introducing a contrast between the inflated self-sat- isfaction of the Corinthians and the actual condition of their teachers. You have come to reign, but the case is very differ- ent with us, for I think, ete.
Hath set forth (a7rédevZev). Only twice in Paul’s writings ; here, and 2 Thess. ii. 4. See on approved, Acts ii. 22. In classical Greek used of publishing a law; shewing forth, and therefore naming or creating a king or military leader; bring- ing forward testimony ; displaying treasure, etc. So here, ex- hibiting.
Last (€oydrovs). As in Mark ix. 35, of relative rank and condition: as having in men’s eyes the basest lot of all.
Appointed to death (émiJavatious). Rev., doomed. Only here in the New Testament. Probably an allusion to the prac- tice of exposing condemned criminals in the amphitheatre to fight with beasts or with one another as gladiators. The glad- iators, on entering the arena, saluted the presiding officer with the words Vos morituri salutamus, We who are to die greet you. ‘Tertullian paraphrases this passage, God hath chosen us apostles last as beast-fighters. “The vast range of an amphi- theatre under the open sky, well represents the magnificent vision of all created things, from men up to angels, gazing on the dreadful death-struggle; and then the contrast of the self- ish Corinthians sitting by unconcerned and unmoved by the awful spectacle” (Stanley). For a similar image of spectators watching the contest in the arena, see Heb. xii. 1. Compare also 1 Cor. xv. 32.
Cu.IV.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 207
Spectacle (3éatpov). Primarily, a theatre ; then that which ts exhibited. Compare the kindred verb Seatpufopevor being made a gazing-stock, Heb. x. 83.
Unto the world (ro xoowo). The wniverse, a sense not usual with Paul; compare ch. viii. 4. The words to angels and to men define world ; so that the rendering of the American Rey. is preferable, both to angels and men. Principal Edwards remarks: “ This comprehensive use of the word kosmos is re- markable, because, on the one hand, it is an advance on the Old-Testament conception of two separate spheres of existence, heaven and earth, not comprehended under any wider designa- tion; and, on the other, because it differs from the meaning attached to the word among the Greeks; inasmuch as the apostle uses it of the spiritual as well as the physical totality of existence.” The spiritual oneness of the universe is a con- ception eminently characteristic of St. Paul; but it is fore- shadowed by Plato. ‘Communion and friendship and orderli- ness and temperance and justice bind together heaven and earth and gods and men; and this universe is therefore called kosmos or order ; not disorder or misrule ” (“‘ Gorgias,” 508).