1 Corinthians 4:9

Words characteristic of a man who is grieving, or rather, of one who wishes to put others to shame. As I see, he says, from your conduct, God has appointed us alone, the apostles, to be last of all and "sentenced to death," that is, …

Then when he says, For I think that God, he taunts them for looking down on Christ's apostles. First, he describes the contempt ironically; secondly, the cause of the contempt (v. 9b). He says, therefore: I have just said that you have become kings without …

We suffer not in some corner, but throughout the whole earth. And not only men watch us, for our deeds are not insignificant, but angels as well, because our struggles are so great that they are worthy even of angelic contemplation; for we wrestle not …

7) this was perfect butchery, and those exposed to beasts in the morning were treated mercifully in comparison with these. The general meaning is that the apostles were exposed to continual danger of death, and that of the worst kinds, in the faithful discharge of their office.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-citation-number+unbalanced-parens

Note, The faithful ministers and disciples of Christ should contentedly undergo any thing for his sake and honour. He compares his own case with that of the Corinthians: " We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised,

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — odd-straight-quotes

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last,....

For I think - It seems to me. Grotius thinks that this is to be taken ironically, as if he had said, “It seems then that God has designed that we, the apostles, should be subject to contempt and suffering; and be made poor and persecuted, while you are admitted to high honors and privileges.” But probably this is to be taken as a serious declaration of Paul, designed to show their actual condition and trials, while others were permitted to live in enjoyment.

As Jesus was "seen of angels" (1Ti 3:16), so His followers are a spectacle to the holy angels who take a deep interest in all the progressive steps of redemption (Eph 3:10; 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].

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

God hath set forth us the apostles last - This whole passage is well explained by Dr. Whitby. “Here the apostle seems to allude to the Roman spectacles, της των θηριομαχων, και μονομαχιας ανδροφονου, that of the Bestiarii and the gladiators, where in the morning men were brought upon the theatres to fight with wild beasts, and to them was allowed armor to defend themselves and smite the beasts that assailed them; but in the meridian or noon-day spectacles the gladiators were brought forth naked, and without any thing to defend themselves from the sword of the assailant; and he that then escaped was only kept for slaughter to another day, so that these men might well be called επιθανατιοι, men appointed for death; and this being the last appearance on the theater for that day, they are said here to be set forth εσχατοι, the last.” Of these two spectacles Seneca speaks thus, Epist. vii.: “In the morning men are exposed to lions and bears; at mid-day to their spectators; those that kill are exposed to one another; the victor is detained for another slaughter; the conclusion of the fight is death. The former fighting compared to this was mercy; now it is mere butchery: they have nothing to cover them; their whole body is exposed to every blow, and every stroke produces a wound,” etc. We are made a spectacle - Ὁτι θεατρον εγενηθημεν, We are exhibited on the theater to the world; we are lawful booty to all mankind, and particularly to the men of the world, who have their portion in this life. Angels are astonished at our treatment, and so are the more considerate part of men. Who at that time would have coveted the apostolate?