1 Corinthians 4:6 - Sola Scriptura proof text?

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Hi everyone,

This site claims that 1 Cor 4:6 defends sola scriptura:

bible.ca/sola-scriptura-proof-texts-1-corinthians-4-6.htm

“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” (1 Corinthians 4:6)

I’m curious to know how this is to be understood. Personally, I don’t see how it preaches sola scriptura, but I am curious to know other people’s opinions.

Also, is there any site that directly addresses the issues mentioned in bible.ca/sola-scriptura.htm?

Sincerely,

-Jason
 
Paul here is talking about the ministry of the Apostles not sola scriptura. The website is taking this verse totally out of context. They didn’t even quote the entire verse. What Paul is quoting from is the Jewish Cannon, not the christian one since the Christian cannon wasn’t written yet. No this can’t be talking about sola scriptura.
 
JasonHC said:
Hi everyone,

This site claims that 1 Cor 4:6 defends sola scriptura:

bible.ca/sola-scriptura-proof-texts-1-corinthians-4-6.htm

“Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.” (1 Corinthians 4:6)

I’m curious to know how this is to be understood. Personally, I don’t see how it preaches sola scriptura, but I am curious to know other people’s opinions.

Also, is there any site that directly addresses the issues mentioned in bible.ca/sola-scriptura.htm?

Sincerely,

-Jason
Click to expand...
GOING BEYOND - A Look at 1 Corinthians 4:6
By Patrick Madrid
catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9208chap.asp
 
Pete,

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I have left a comment on that thread, since I figured someone might want to read it.

Randy,

Thank you for posting Patrick Madrid’s article. It was helpful! =)

-Jason
 
From the Haydock Bible Commentary

Ver. 6. These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollo. Literally, these things have I transfigured in me and Apollo, that is, I have represented the divisions and disputes among you, as if it were by your contending, whether I, or Apollo, or Cephas were the best preachers, without naming those, as I might do, who are the true causes of these divisions, by striving who should be thought men of the greatest and brightest parts. — That in us, and by our example, who have no such proud disputes, you might learn that one be not puffed up against the other, and above that which is written, against the admonitions given in the holy Scriptures of being humble: or against what I have now written to you, that we must strive for nothing, but to be the faithful ministers of God, and not seek the esteem of men. (Witham) — It is the opinion of St. Thomas Aquinas and likewise of Estius, that St. Paul, Apollo, and Cephas were not the real causes of the divisions that existed amongst the new converts at Corinth, but that in making use of these names, he wished to teach them, that if it was unlawful to keep up these divisions even for the sake of the apostles, how far should they be from doing any thing of this kind for those whose authority was much less in the Church. But Calmet is of opinion, that the divisions amongst the Corinthians were certainly on account of Paul, Apollo, Cephas, and perhaps some others, whose names are not mentioned.
 
Let’s see what else is “written”:
I Cor. 11: 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.
 
He is cautioning believers to stay within the limits of personal humility found in Scripture, but he is not promoting Sola Scriptura. He is refering to the string of OT warnings about “boasting” quoted earlier in the letter.

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside.” (1:19)

Therefore I will again deal with this people in surprising and wondrous fashion: The wisdom of its wise men shall perish and the understanding of its prudent men be hid. (Isa 29:14)

so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1:31)

a paraphrase from the Greek version of (Jer 9:24)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own ruses,” and again: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (3:19-20)

He catches the wise in their own ruses, and the designs of the crafty are routed. (Job 5:13)

The LORD does know human plans; they are only puffs of air. (Ps 94:11)
 
ryanoneil said:
He is cautioning believers to stay within the limits of personal humility found in Scripture, but he is not promoting Sola Scriptura. He is refering to the string of OT warnings about “boasting” quoted earlier in the letter.

For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside.” (1:19)

Therefore I will again deal with this people in surprising and wondrous fashion: The wisdom of its wise men shall perish and the understanding of its prudent men be hid. (Isa 29:14)

so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1:31)

a paraphrase from the Greek version of (Jer 9:24)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own ruses,” and again: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (3:19-20)

He catches the wise in their own ruses, and the designs of the crafty are routed. (Job 5:13)

The LORD does know human plans; they are only puffs of air. (Ps 94:11)
Click to expand...
Good answer! I hadn’t heard of that before. 👍
 
ryanoneil said:
He is cautioning believers to stay within the limits of personal humility found in Scripture, but he is not promoting Sola Scriptura. He is refering to the string of OT warnings about “boasting” quoted earlier in the letter.
Click to expand...
Aquinas cross references 1 Cor 4:6 with the book of Wisdom.

*1 Cor 4:6 But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes; that in us you may learn, that one be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is written.

“To understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles,” and this for your benefit: “All things are for your sakes” (2 Cor 4:15); that you may learn by us that none of you may be puffed up, i.e., with pride, in favor of one, i.e., for any of Christ’s ministers, against another [above that which is written], i.e., beyond the form described in the foregoing; for **Wis (4:19) states: “He will dash them puffed up and speechless to the ground.” **LINK*Side note to those who think Catholics added the Book of Wisdom to Scripture at the Council of Trent. Aquinas wrote about 300 years before Trent… 🙂
 
Ok… I understand how the passage has nothing to do with Sola Scriptura, but what does the statement “Do not go beyond what is written” mean? Interestingly, a variety of translations say different things:
NIV - Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
Click to expand...
ESV - I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Click to expand...
NASB - Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
Click to expand...
NKJV - Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
Click to expand...
KJV - And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
Click to expand...
NJB - I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that you can learn how the saying, 'Nothing beyond what is written’ is true of us: no individual among you must become filled with his own importance and make comparisons, to another’s detriment.
Click to expand...
NAB - I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written, so that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over against another.
Click to expand...
Douay Rheims - But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes; that in us you may learn, that one be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is written
Click to expand...
 
it is somewhat co-incidental that the other night on ewtn radio, father corapi addressed this subject and observed that those who think in terms of sola scriptura might try reading the very last passage of the gospel by st. john the apostle. think about their position and then react. have a good year. (alih)👍
 
JasonHC said:
Ok… I understand how the passage has nothing to do with Sola Scriptura, but what does the statement “Do not go beyond what is written” mean? Interestingly, a variety of translations say different things:
Click to expand...
Did Madrid’s article not cover this?
 
Good answer! I hadn’t heard of that before. 👍
Click to expand...
Thanks. I should have cited my IGNATIOUS Catholic Study Bible.
Aquinas cross references 1 Cor 4:6 with the book of Wisdom.
Click to expand...
Nice! 👍
Ok… I understand how the passage has nothing to do with Sola Scriptura, but what does the statement “Do not go beyond what is written” mean?
Click to expand...
He is saying we shouldn’t think we are self important and boast, because we still have to be judged by the Lord. The OT standand of what is pridefull still applies so don’t go beyond that.
 
Randy_Carson said:
Did Madrid’s article not cover this?
Click to expand...
If he has, I must be misunderstanding it. Madrid mainly focused on what the phrase doesn’t mean, not what it means. He merely refers to some commentators on what it could mean without clearly commenting on what ‘do not go beyond what is written’ consists of.

I have to admit, I still don’t understand what it means. How does “Do not go beyond what is written” mean we should not boast?

In other words, what is ‘written’ referring to? Also, what does it mean to not go beyond it?
 
JasonHC said:
If he has, I must be misunderstanding it. Madrid mainly focused on what the phrase doesn’t mean, not what it means. He merely refers to some commentators on what it could mean without clearly commenting on what ‘do not go beyond what is written’ consists of.

I have to admit, I still don’t understand what it means. How does “Do not go beyond what is written” mean we should not boast?

In other words, what is ‘written’ referring to? Also, what does it mean to not go beyond it?
Click to expand...
The OT warnings he cited in (1 Cor 1:19, 31; 3:19-20) are the “written” scriptures that warn about boasting.

**For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the learning of the learned I will set aside.” (1:19)

so that, as it is written, “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.” (1:31)

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own ruses,” and again: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (3:19-20)**

His warning to “not go beyond” those scriptures means stay within the limits of humility defined by those scriptures. In other words, DON’T CROSS THE LINE!

He is trying to stop the damaging effects of arrogance in Corinth. Which is why he goes on to reprimand them for their self-righteous egotism and unfair criticisms. Although he describes them as wise and prosperous, his irony is saying the exact opposite. i.e., they are ignorant and impoverished and their refusal to embrace the foolishness of Christ exposes their pride and reveals how petty their problems look compaired to the humiliation of the apostles.
 
Ah! Thank you for making it very clear! Somehow I had missed the obvious =)

-Jason
 
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