1Cor 4:13-16 | JFB | STEP | 13. defamed, we entreat-- namely, God for our defamers, as Christ enjoined ( , ) [Grotius]. We reply gently [Estius]. filth-- "the refuse" [Conybeare and Howson], the sweepings or rubbish thrown out after a cleaning. of all things-- not of the "World" only.

‏ 1 Corinthians 4:13-16

13. defamed, we entreat--namely, God for our defamers, as Christ enjoined (Mt 5:10, 44) [Grotius]. We reply gently [Estius].

filth--"the refuse" [Conybeare and Howson], the sweepings or rubbish thrown out after a cleaning.

of all things--not of the "World" only.

14. warn--rather, "admonish" as a father uses "admonition" to "beloved sons," not provoking them to wrath (Ep 6:4). The Corinthians might well be "ashamed" at the disparity of state between the father, Paul, and his spiritual children themselves.

15. ten thousand--implying that the Corinthians had more of them than was desirable.

instructors--tutors who had the care of rearing, but had not the rights, or peculiar affection, of the father, who alone had begotten them spiritually.

in Christ--Paul admits that these "instructors" were not mere legalists, but evangelical teachers. He uses, however, a stronger phrase of himself in begetting them spiritually, "In Christ Jesus," implying both the Saviour's office and person. As Paul was the means of spiritually regenerating them, and yet "baptized none of them save Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas," regeneration cannot be inseparably in and by baptism (1Co 1:14-17).

16. be ye followers of me--literally, "imitators," namely, in my ways, which be in Christ (1Co 4:17; 1Co 11:1), not in my crosses (1Co 4:8-13; Ac 26:29; Ga 4:12).