CHAP. IV.
AS amongst the Corinthians, their glorious Teachers were magnified by their followers, so the Apostles were meanly thought of, and the other faithful Mini∣sters of Christ, as if they had not been to bee compared with these eloquent Ministers, either in gifts, or suc∣cess: The Apostle teaches that this judgement is to bee rectified, and the Schism not to bee fomented any fur∣ther.
There are two parts of the Chapter: In the first, hee corrects this corrupt judgement of theirs, to vers. 14. In the second, hee shuts up all hee had to say by way of reproof touching their Schism, to the end. Hee laies down nine Arguments (why hee corrects their rash judgement concerning the Apostle, and his companions, and other faithful Ministers of Christ, and of their un∣equal comparing of these with their Teachers.) Which prove that wee must beware of making unbecomming comparisons of the Ministers of the Gospel, neither ought wee rashly to judge of any ones gifts.
Vers. 1. Let a man so account of us, as of the Mini∣sters of Christ, and Stewards of the mysteries of God.
Argum. 1. Which is propounded in a similitude taken from Stewards: Wee, whom you despise, although wee are not Masters of your Faith, yet wee are the Ministers of Christ, from whose hands you ought to receive the treasure of salvation, and the bread of life: Therefore you ought to beware of comparing the gifts of Teachers.
Vers. 2. Moreover, it is required in Stewards, that a man bee found faithful.
Argum. 2. That which commends the Ministery of the Gospel, is not the excellency of gifts, but a faithful dis∣pensation of their gifts, and the mystery of salvation, whereof God alone is the just Judge: Therefore wee must beware of this unequal comparing of the gifts of Teachers.
Vers. 3. But with mee it is a very small thing, that I should bee Iudged of you, or of mans judgement: yea, I judge not mine own self.
Argum. 3. Because neither yee, nor any men, nor I Paul am a competent Judge of my own dignity: There∣fore yee are to take heed of this unequal comparing of Teachers: For if Paul could not determine in what e∣steem hee himself ought to bee had, the Corinthians were rash, who determined concerning the dignity of Paul and the rest of their Teachers.
Vers. 4. For I know nothing by my self, yet am I not hereby justified; but hee that judgeth mee is the Lord.
Argum. 4. Confirming the former: I an Apostle, though I am not conscious of ill mannaging my office, yet I dare not acquit my self, or determine of my own dignity to the injury of others, but I leave the judgement wholly to God: Therefore this unjust comparing of Teachers from their gifts, is to bee taken heed of.
Vers. 5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, un∣til the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then shall every man have praise of God.
Argum. 5. Propounded by way of dehortation; To judge, especially by way of comparison, concerning the dignity [or worth] of men, is not seasonable, before the coming of the Lord: Therefore wee are to take heed of this unfitting comparing of men, from their gifts.
Counsels] Argum. 6. Confirming also the former: The secret intentions of the heart, and the hidden purpo∣ses of men in the Ministry, shall not bee manifested be∣fore the day of judgement; neither can judgement bee made by any touching the excellency of men, but by God himself onely, who will distribute in that day to every man, praise or dispraise according to their dignity: Therefore wee are to take heed of the comparing of men from their gifts.
Vers. 6. And these things, Brethren, have I in a figure transferred to my self, and to Apollo, for your sakes, that yee might learn in us, not to think of men, above that which is written, that no one of you bee puffed up for one against another.
Argum. 7. It is not fitting upon the account of the most excellent gifts (such as are in mee Paul the Apostle, and Apollos the Evangelist) to e••••oll any Minister, above what is written in the first verie of this Chapter▪ i. e. to lift him up above the dignity of a Steward, and much less out of prejudice, to discredit faithful Ministers, because of this or that Teacher, whom wee admire: Therefore this comparing of men from their gifts, is to bee taken heed of: That hee might evidence the force of this Argu∣ment, hee opens how hee used his prudence in this bus••∣ness viz. That concealing the names of these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Teachers, hee transfers the whole matter upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Apollos, to this very end, that the Corinthians might