ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 4 v5

WHAT REACHES GOD’S EARS. ORIGEN: Why does Paul mention only commendation from God and say nothing about condemnation? The reason seems to be that only that which is commendable will reach God’s ears; the rest will be passed over in silence. I would even go so far as to say that it is God who receives the commendable things we have done, whereas the rest goes straight to the devil. COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 2.18.106-12.

DO NOT PRONOUNCE JUDGMENT BEFORE THE TIME. AMBROSIASTER: God will judge in his own good time. A judge is insulted if a servant presumes to pronounce a verdict before the judge makes the decision known. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul is not talking here about those sins that we all recognize and confess as such. Rather he is speaking about preferring one person before another and making invidious comparisons of moral behaviors. Only God, who knows all our secret doings, can judge that sort of thing with accuracy. Only he knows what is more and what is less worthy of punishment. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9.3.

THE IDENTITY OF THE CORINTHIANS 1 CORINTHIANS 4:6-13

OVERVIEW: Paul was gentle when the situation called for gentleness but firm when firmness was required (CHRYSOSTOM). The pettiness of the Corinthian quarrelers is contrasted with Paul, who in wrestling with spiritual wickedness became a spectacle to the world (AMBROSE), to angels (THEODORET OF CYR) and to humans. The faithful everywhere are ready to suffer without despair or anger, returning good for evil, bearing insults meekly that they might grow in patience (CHRYSOSTOM). All that the Corinthians had, they had received as a gift (AMBROSIASTER, CHRYSOSTOM), and so they should not boast (AUGUSTINE).

1 Cor