This chapter is a continuation of the subject discussed in those which go before, and of the argument which closes the last chapter. The proper division would have been at 1-Corinthians 4:6. The design of the first six verses is to show the real estimate in which the apostles ought to be held as the ministers of religion. The remainder of the chapter 1-Corinthians 4:7-21 is occupied in setting forth further the claims of the apostles to their respect in contradistinction from the false teachers, and in reproving the spirit of vain boasting and confidence among the Corinthians. Paul 1-Corinthians 4:7 reproves their boasting by assuring them that they had no ground for it, since all that they possessed had been given to them by God. In 1-Corinthians 4:8, he reproves the same spirit with cutting irony, as if they claimed to be eminently wise - Still further to reprove them, he alludes to his own self-denials and sufferings, as contrasted with their ease, and safety, and enjoyment, 1-Corinthians 4:9-14. He then shows that his labors and self-denials in their behalf, laid the foundation for his speaking to them with authority as a father, 1-Corinthians 4:15-16. And to show them that he claimed that authority, over them as the founder of their church, and that he was not afraid to discharge his duty toward them, he informs them that he had sent Timothy to look into their affairs 1-Corinthians 4:17, and; that himself would soon follow; and assures them that he had power to come to them with the severity of Christian discipline, and that it depended on their conduct whether he should come with a rod, or with the spirit of meekness and love, 1-Corinthians 4:21.

Ministers should be esteemed by their flocks as the stewards of God, whose duty and interest it is to be faithful, 1-Corinthians 4:1, 1-Corinthians 4:2. Precipitate and premature judgments condemned, 1-Corinthians 4:3-5. The apostle's caution to give the Corinthians no offense, 1-Corinthians 4:6. We have no good but what we receive from God, 1-Corinthians 4:7. The worldly mindedness of the Corinthians, 1-Corinthians 4:8. The enumeration of the hardships, trials, and sufferings of the apostles, 1-Corinthians 4:9-13. For what purpose St. Paul mentions these things, 1-Corinthians 4:14-16. He promises to send Timothy to them, 1-Corinthians 4:17. And to come himself shortly, to examine and correct the abuses that had crept in among them, 1-Corinthians 4:18-21.

INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 4
The chief heads of this chapter are the account that ought to be had of the ministers of the Gospel; cautions against censoriousness, rash judgment, pride, and self-conceit; the uncomfortable circumstances and situation of the ministers of the Gospel for the sake of preaching it; the apostle's fatherly affection to the Corinthians, and his authority over them; his resolution in submission to the will of God of coming to them, and the manner in which it might be expected he would come. The apostle exhorts to have in proper esteem the preachers of the Gospel, and that because they are Christ's ministers and stewards of his grace, and faithful in the discharge of their duty, 1-Corinthians 4:1. And as for himself, whom he includes in the number of the faithful dispensers of the word, he cared not what judgment was passed upon him; nor should he think fit to be set down by it, partly because it was human, and arose from an ill spirit; and partly because he judged himself; as also because his conscience testified that he faithfully discharged his office; and besides, the Lord was his judge, 1-Corinthians 4:3 who in his own time would judge him; and he, as every other faithful minister, shall have praise of God, and therefore before that time judgment was not to be passed by men, 1-Corinthians 4:5 and then gives a reason why he had mentioned his own name, and the name of Apollos, under such figurative expressions as he had done in the preceding chapter, that they might be examples of modesty and humility for others to follow, 1-Corinthians 4:6 and expostulates with those who were vainly puffed up in their fleshly minds; that seeing they were no better than others, and what gifts they had were not of themselves, but of God, they had no reason to glory and vaunt it over others, 1-Corinthians 4:7 and in an ironical way expresses the exalted and flourishing condition they were in, and which he rather wishes than asserts, and which carries in it a sort of a denial of it, 1-Corinthians 4:8 and goes on to represent the miserable condition that the faithful preachers and followers of Christ were in, and that in order to abate the pride and swelling vanity of these men, 1-Corinthians 4:9 showing, that it was far from being a reigning time in the churches of Christ; his end in mentioning which, as well as the sharpness he had used in reproving, were not in order to expose them to shame, but for their admonition, 1-Corinthians 4:14 and that he did not take too much upon him in dealing thus freely and roundly with them, appears from the spiritual relation he stood in to them, as a father, 1-Corinthians 4:15 and therefore it became them as children to submit to him, and imitate him, 1-Corinthians 4:16 and an instance of his paternal care of them, and love to them, was his sending Timothy among them, whose character he gives, and whose work and usefulness he points out to them, 1-Corinthians 4:17, and closes the chapter with a promise of coming to them, if it was agreeable to the will of God; and the rather he was bent upon it, because some had given out he would not come, and rejoiced at it; wherefore, in order to try them, whether they were only verbal or powerful professors, he was desirous of coming to them, 1-Corinthians 4:18 since religion did not lie in talking, but in an inward powerful experience of things, 1-Corinthians 4:20 which he feared was wanting in some by their outward conversation; and therefore puts a question in what way they would chose he should come unto them, and hence should accordingly order their conversation and behaviour, 1-Corinthians 4:21.

(1-Corinthians 4:1-6) The true character of gospel ministers.
(1-Corinthians 4:7-13) Cautions against despising the apostle.
(1-Corinthians 4:14-21) He claims their regard as their spiritual father in Christ, and shows his concern for them.

SUMMARY.--The Apostles Stewards of the Mysteries of God. Forming Judgments of Religious Teachers. The Apostles Made a Spectacle to the World. The Apostolic Trials. Counted by the World as Offscouring. Yet, Paul the Spiritual Father of the Corinthian Church. And His Example should be Imitated.