What does 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 mean?

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zurbupar

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A protestant friend recently gave me this scripture passage to argue the validity of sola scriptura:

“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…” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

I am just wondering what an explanation of this scripture passage would be for my protestant friend. I am trying to show him what the RCC truly believes.

Thanks so Much
 
An Eastern Orthodox priest explained it to me this way. It means that we shouldn’t try to be more righteous than required lest we fall prey to pride.

But to the whole sola scriptura question…as I always like to say to the proof texts… read just a little further…

I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2). Though some versions will render it “ordinances” or “teachings”. This is Paul in the same epistle. And when writing to the church in Thessalonica he says this “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” 2 Thess 3:6

No where does scripture say Bible Alone. It never says Scripture Only, and as we see above insists in scripture to also follow tradition, oral teaching. Further Bible is from Biblia “the books”. Who assembled the books, who assembled the Bible. The Church did.
 
Umm… just exactly when does your friend think that 1 Cor was written? Scholars would place it at about 56 AD.

If Paul means what your friend says he means (which Paul doesn’t, of course), then Paul’s telling the Corinthians to reject any Scripture written from 56AD onward. That would mean that they should throw out Revelations, the Acts of the Apostles, the Gospel of John, the Gospel of Luke, and probably the Gospel of Matthew (not to mention the later writings of Paul himself!). What an odd thing for Paul to say…! :rolleyes:
 
It appears to be ‘cherry picking’ and it places one passage against another.
2Th 2:15 (2:14) Therefore, brethren, stand fast: and hold the traditions, which you have learned, whether by word or by our epistle.
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Or it could just be a case of misinterpretation.

St. Paul wrote a letter of correction to the Corinthians and did not want them to go beyond those corrections as he had written. It does not apply to all scriptures.

From the Haydock Bible Commentary
1Co 4:6 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.
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2Pe 3:15 And account the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation: as also our most dear brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, hath written to you:
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
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“What is written” certainly does not refer to the Bible, because the Bible did not exist in St. Paul’s time.

Did Christ and his apostles believe in ‘Bible Only’? Of course not. They never even used the word Bible. The Bible is a compilation of the Catholic Church, guided by the Holy Spirit.
 
All good answers so far…

My response to such matters is to try to define with the individual what “Scripture” Paul might be referring to. As others have mentioned, there is the fact that much of the NT had not yet been written - or was only in the early stages of being written.
But there is something else here that can be very troubling for the Sola Scripturist ( who most likely hods to the 66 book canon).
Paul is writing to a Greek speaking Church (Corinth) This Church, indeed most all of the Churches Paul wrote to, would most likely have been most familiar with the Septuagint - The “Greek” OT translation - which includes books not included in the canon your friend uses…
So your friend’s citing of “do not depart from what is written” runs into the same problem as “all Scripture is God Breathed…”. that problem is determining with surety just what IS “All Scripture” that we should properly not depart from.

As an equally troubling matter for the SS person is that, not only does Scripture not teach Sola Scriptura, it DOES teach a visible, authoritative Church.
In essence you can accept your friend’s argument but then take his bible and turn to Mt 18:15-18 and show that when disputes come up we are to “tell it to the Church” and “Listen to the Church” for the Church has the authority to "bind and loose’ “whatever”.
You can turn to Acts 15 to show how these instructions were put into action.
You can turn to Eph 3:10 and show that it is through the Church that God’s wisdom is made known and flip over to 1 Tim 3:15 which says that it is the Church which is the pillar and bulwark of Truth.

So - in short, even if one accepts your friend’s concept…“What is written” points directly to “The Church” and gives the Church the authority to bind and loose “whatever”.

Peace
James
 
zurbupar said:
A protestant friend recently gave me this scripture passage to argue the validity of sola scriptura:

“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…” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

I am just wondering what an explanation of this scripture passage would be for my protestant friend. I am trying to show him what the RCC truly believes.

Thanks so Much
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I will post the explanation, which I saved, courtesy of Eric Filmer:

We start with 1Cor 1:10-17. Herein we see the first topic that 1Corinthians addresses. Paul is concerned over divisions that have occurred among the Christians in Corinth.

1Corinthians 1:10-17
[10] I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
[11] For it has been reported to me by Chlo’e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren.
[12] What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol’los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
[13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
[14] I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Ga’ius;
[15] lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name.
[16] (I did baptize also the household of Steph’anas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.)
[17] For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Next we should consider sections of 1Corinthians where Paul teaches how to overcome prideful behavior so that unity can be restored.

1Corintians 1:18-25
[18]For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
[19] For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.”
[20] Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
[21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
[22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
[23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
[24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
[25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

(1Cor 1:19 quotes Isaiah 29:14)

1Corinthians 1:26-31
[26] For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth;
[27] but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong,
[28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
[29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
[30] He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption;
[31] therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.”

(1Cor 1:31 concludes Chapter 1 and it quotes Jer 9:24. Paul also uses this same quote from Jeremiah in 2Corinthians 10:17 wherein he tells the Corinthians to only be boastful within the limits God has apportioned.)

1Corinthians 3:18-23
[18] Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
[19] For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
[20] and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”
[21] So let no one boast of men. For all things are yours,
[22] whether Paul or Apol’los or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;
[23] and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

(1Cor 3:19 quotes Job 5:13 and 1Cor 3:20 quotes Psalm 94:11. Moreover, Paul’s opening statement of “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God” is a paraphrase of what he said in 1Cor 1:20, indicating that he is still addressing the disunity among Corinthians problem.)
 
pablope said:
I will post the explanation, which I saved, courtesy of Eric Filmer:

Part 2:

1Corinthians 4:1-13
[1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
[2] Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
[3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.
[4] I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
[5] Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.
[6] I have applied all this to myself and Apol’los for your benefit, brethren, 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.
[7] For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
[8] Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!
[9] 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.
[10] 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.
[11] To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless,
[12] and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
[13] when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.

The question at hand is: What does Paul mean in 1Cor 4:6 when he tells the reader “not to go beyond what is written”? If you take a moment to read the above passages from 1Corinthians highlighted in blue text you will see that Paul writes, “It is written…” three times as an introduction to four quotes from the Old Testament. Each quote cautions people against the sin of pride. After making these statements, Paul states, in 1Cor 4:6:

“I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren…” (i.e., The teachers follow the same rules given to students)

“…that you may learn by us…” (i.e., “Follow our example”)

“…not to go beyond what is written,…” (I’ll come back to this in a minute)

“…that none of you may be puffed up…” (“Puffed up” means to be prideful)

“…in favor of one against the other.” (The ramifications of prideful behavior is division in the community)

In light of all this, I believe that when Paul tells the reader “not to go beyond what is written”, he is simply reminding them to adhere to the warnings about prideful behavior that he expressed earlier with the “it is written…” preludes (i.e., 1Cor 1:19, 31; 3:19, 20). After all, when we examine the entire verse from 1Cor 4:6, right after he tells the reader “not to go beyond what is written” he says the reason why: “…that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against the other.” In other words, pride causes people to mistreat others (by favoring certain people over them), and this mistreatment results in divisions. Hence, we are to heed the warnings of the Old Testament against pride, treat people with the respect they deserve, and this will allow unity rather than disunity. Simply put, these various passages from 1Corinthians address the behavior of the Corinthians – Paul wants them to conduct in proper Christian behavior (the virtue of humility) in order to correct the dissension caused by their previous bad behavior (the sin of pride).

In light of all this, the context of 1Corinthians does not involve Paul teaching a general principle that people are not allowed to formulate doctrine outside of Scripture, and therefore he is not teaching Sola Scriptura. An attempt to read a Sola Scriptura statement into 1Corinthians 4:6 ignores the entire context of the rest of the epistle.
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zurbupar said:
A protestant friend recently gave me this scripture passage to argue the validity of sola scriptura:

“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…” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7

I am just wondering what an explanation of this scripture passage would be for my protestant friend. I am trying to show him what the RCC truly believes.

Thanks so Much
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I have looked up this passage in many commentaries, especially the Church Fathers and Medieval commentators, such as Theodoret of Cyrus, Ambrosiaster, Chrysostom, Aquinas, etc, and since they were not in the same situation as we are with Protestants hijacking their Bible and trying to turn passages into Sola Scriptora arguments, they don’t even hint of taking this passage as being a Bible alone passage, but they see it as a lesson about what Scripture says about humility. The commentators usually cite a passage from Scripture that they feel teaches about humility. For example, Theodoret quotes Mark 9:35 and 10:44 “let the one wishing to be first among you be last”. St. Thomas Aquinas quotes Wisdom 4:19 "He will dash them puffed up and speechless to the ground.”

St. John Chrysostom says, But what is the meaning of, “not to be wise above what is written?” It is written, Matthew 7:3 “Why do you behold the mote that is in your brothers’ eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?” and “Judge not, that you be not judged.” For if we are one and are mutually bound together, it behooves us not to rise up against one another. For “he that humbles himself shall be exalted,” says he. And Matthew 20:26-27; Mark 10:43; not verbatim “He that will be first of all, let him be the servant of all.” These are the things which “are written.”
 
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