“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.”
Now, brothers and sisters, 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 be arrogant and boast about one of us over against the other — Paul reveals his strategy: he used himself and Apollos as examples to teach a larger principle. 'Do not go beyond what is written' (mē hyper ha gegraptai) is cryptic—possibly referring to scripture's bounds, or to what Paul has written, or to basic principles. The effect: stop inventing divisions not grounded in scripture; cease faction-boasting.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 4:6
So long as there was need of expressions as harsh as these, he refrained from drawing up the curtain, and went on arguing as if he were himself the person to whom they were addressed; in order that the dignity of the persons censured tending to counteract the censurers, no room might be left for flying out in wrath at the charges. But when the time came for a gentler process, then he strips it off, and removes the mask, and shows the persons concealed by the appellation of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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