Saturday, June 22, 2024

The Navarre Bible on 1 Corinthians 4:6

  

4:6. “Not to go beyond what is written”: this is open to various interpretations. It may be a proverb with which the Corinthians were familiar, meaning that one should stay on safe ground (in this case, Paul’s guidelines for the infant Church at Corinth). “What is written” could also refer to all scripture or just to the quotations which Paul has used (cf. 1:19, 31; 3:19). In any event he makes it clear to the Corinthians that it is they themselves who, due to their immaturity and pride, have caused the dissensions in their community through exalting one preacher at the expense of others. Paul and Apollos have behaved quite properly and therefore cannot be held responsible for these divisions. (Saint Paul's Letters to the Corinthians [The Navarre Bible; Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2005], 51)