Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
For—assigning the reason for desiring that the "reign" of himself and his fellow apostles with the Corinthians were come; namely, the present afflictions of the former.
I think—The Corinthians (I Corinthians 3:18) "seemed" to (literally, as here, "thought") themselves "wise in this world." Paul, in contrast, "thinks" that God has sent forth him and his fellow ministers "last," that is, the lowest in this world. The apostles fared worse than even the prophets, who, though sometimes afflicted, were often honored (II Kings 1:10; II Kings 5:9; II Kings 8:9, II Kings 8:12).
set forth—as a spectacle or gazing-stock.
us the apostles—Paul includes Apollos with the apostles, in the broader sense of the word; so Romans 16:7; II Corinthians 8:23 (Greek for "messengers," apostles).
as it were appointed to death—as criminals condemned to die.
made a spectacle—literally, "a theatrical spectacle." So the Greek in Hebrews 10:33, "made a gazing-stock by reproaches and afflictions." Criminals "condemned to die," in Paul's time, were exhibited as a gazing-stock to amuse the populace in the amphitheater. They were "set forth last" in the show, to fight with wild beasts. This explains the imagery of Paul here. (Compare TERTULLIAN [On Modesty, 14]).
the world—to the whole world, including "both angels and men"; "the whole family in heaven and earth" (Ephesians 3:15). As Jesus was "seen of angels" (I Timothy 3:16), so His followers are a spectacle to the holy angels who take a deep interest in all the progressive steps of redemption (Ephesians 3:10; I Peter 1:12). Paul tacitly implies that though "last" and lowest in the world's judgment, Christ's servants are deemed by angels a spectacle worthy of their most intense regard [CHRYSOSTOM]. However, since "the world" is a comprehensive expression, and is applied in this Epistle to the evil especially (I Corinthians 1:27-28), and since the spectators (in the image drawn from the amphitheater) gaze at the show with savage delight, rather than with sympathy for the sufferers, I think bad angels are included, besides good angels. ESTIUS makes the bad alone to be meant. But the generality of the term "angels," and its frequent use in a good sense, as well as Ephesians 3:10; I Peter 1:12, incline me to include good as well as bad angels, though, for the reasons stated above, the bad may be principally meant.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 4:9:
1 Corinthians 4:16
1 Corinthians 11:10
1 Corinthians 11:16
1 Corinthians 15:19
1 Corinthians 15:30
1 Corinthians 15:32
2 Corinthians 4:15
Ephesians 3:10
1 Timothy 5:21
Hebrews 10:33
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