For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

1 Corinthians 4:9

The Corinthians were full of pride.  Paul described it as being “puffed up in favor of one against another” (4:6b).  Their arrogance had manifested itself in a divided church full of cliques made up of brethren who tried to make themselves out to be better than their peers simply by virtue of being taught and baptized by a particular apostle or prophet (1:10-17; 3:3-4).  In correcting this sinful perspective, Paul had just rhetorically reminded them that they were all the same in God’s eyes and that whatever they had was due to him and him alone (4:7).  He also sardonically indicted their spiritual immaturity by wishing that they in fact were spiritual “kings” so that he and his fellow apostles “might share the rule with you” (4:8b), i.e., serve Christ in a mature fashion together with them.

Now, in a further effort to change their perspective so as to bring about penitent humility, the apostle lets them know that being an apostle was not about getting glory and honor in this life.  By saying, “‘I follow Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ’” (1:12), the Corinthians were basically telling each other, “I am better than you because I follow this great apostle, or this eloquent, educated prophet, or the Lord himself who had been adored by the masses when he was here on earth!”  To them, apostles who have many people sit at their feet and learn God’s teachings from them must have it made!  By telling their brethren that they gave their allegiance to a particular apostle or prophet, maybe they too could receive some of the glory and honor!  Paul dissuades them of this notion by saying that in reality apostles such as himself are “last of all” and “men sentenced to death” (4:9a).  To the entire “world” (kosmos, creation), including the “angels” who watch and serve from above (cf. Eph. 3:10; Heb. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:12b) and all “men,” the apostles “have become a spectacle” (theatron, a stage).  Wayne Jackson comments, “While the sect leaders wanted center stage, God’s perspective was different.  The apostles, the true heroes, have been put on a worldwide stage and made a “spectacle” – like fighters in the arena – to be doomed to death ultimately.”

Paul now continues to sarcastically put the prideful Corinthians in their place by giving more “truth bombs” about the realities of being an apostle of Jesus Christ in comparison to how they pridefully (and erroneously) viewed themselves.  “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ.  We are weak, but you are strong.  You are held in honor, but we in disrepute” (4:10).  They thought themselves worthy of being considered wise and strong, worthy of being honored.  In reality, the ones whom God considered to be truly wise, strong, and honorable – the apostles – were considered by the world to be foolish, weak, and disreputable because they proclaimed the good news that a crucified man saved the world from sin and hell (cf. 1:18, 21, 27-28).

And they were paying a terrible price in this life for doing so.  Paul explains, “To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.  When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.  We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things” (4:11-12).  The Corinthians thought the apostles and prophets must be living the good life due to converting all those people and having so much respect within the brotherhood.  In reality, they lived a hard life of toil and were considered to be on the same level as “scum” (perikatharmata, pond scum, slime) and “refuse” (peripsema, dirt or filth you would wipe away, garbage)…and yet they responded to such persecution exactly as Jesus directed them (cf. Lk. 6:28; 1 Pet. 2:23; 3:9; Rom. 12:17).

Standing for biblical truth at all times does not bring an easy, carefree life in which you bask in the respect and goodwill of all.  Thinking it does leads both to pride and the embracing of doctrinal error and division (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-5).

— Jon