Some of the Corinthians who did not value Paul as highly as they should have had become puffed up in their own estimation of themselves and their ideas (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6). They had done so as though they would not face him again. Evidently they felt he would not return to Corinth, and even if he did, they could overcome his influence. [source][source][source]
The relationship between the Apostle and his converts was very tender. They were his children. They might have instructors and tutors, but they could have but one father; and as father he might have to use the rod. Love can be stern and punitive. Spare the rod and spoil the child. It is not pure but selfish love that forbears to speak and act strongly when eternal interests are at stake. This is an aspect of God's love which is likely to be overlooked. If we escape chastisement, we are bastards and not sons. "What son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" Hebrews 12:5-11.
The beloved Timothy was sent to bring the recreant church back to its old love and faith. He was well fitted to represent the Apostle till Paul could tear himself from his thronging duties at Ephesus. Notice that God's kingdom comes in power, not in word, 1 Corinthians 4:21. Is not this the reason why it comes so slowly? We treat it as though it would come through our much speaking, through eloquent and honeyed speech. But it is not so. It comes in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in that supremacy of the Divine Spirit over all other spirit forces. God send us more of this great dynamic! [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 4
1In what account the apostles ought to be regarded 7We have nothing which we have not received 9The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men; 13the filth and offscouring of the world; 15yet our fathers in Christ; 16whom we ought to follow
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 4:18
Some are puffed up [επυσιωτησαν] First aorist (effective) passive indicative of πυσιοω phusioō which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. [source]
As though I were not coming to you [ως μη ερχομενου μου προς υμας] Genitive absolute with particle (assuming it as so) with μη mē as negative. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 4:18
Colossians 2:18By a voluntary humility [τελω] Present active participle of τελοντας thelō to wish, to will, but a difficult idiom. Some take it as like an adverb for “wilfully” somewhat like εν ετελοταπεινοπροσυνηι thelontas in 2 Peter 3:5. Others make it a Hebraism from the lxx usage, “finding pleasure in humility.” The Revised Version margin has “of his own mere will, by humility.” Hort suggested ετελοτρησκια en ethelotapeinophrosunēi (in gratuitous humility), a word that occurs in Basil and made like και τρησκειαι των αγγελων ethelothrēskia in Colossians 2:23. And worshipping of the angels (ταπεινοπροσυνην kai thrēskeiāi tōn aggelōn). In Colossians 3:12 humility (α εορακεν εμβατευων tapeinophrosunēn) is a virtue, but it is linked with worship of the angels which is idolatry and so is probably false humility as in Colossians 2:23. They may have argued for angel worship on the plea that God is high and far removed and so took angels as mediators as some men do today with angels and saints in place of Christ. Dwelling in the things which he hath seen Some MSS. have “not,” but not genuine. This verb εμβατης embateuō (from κενεμβατευων embatēs stepping in, going in) has given much trouble. Lightfoot has actually proposed κενεμβατεω kenembateuōn (a verb that does not exist, though αιωρα kenembateō does occur) with ενεβατευσεν aiōra to tread on empty air, an ingenious suggestion, but now unnecessary. It is an old word for going in to take possession (papyri examples also). W. M. Ramsay (Teaching of Paul, pp. 287ff.) shows from inscriptions in Klaros that the word is used of an initiate in the mysteries who “set foot in” Present passive participle of πυσα phusioō late and vivid verb from phusa pair of bellows, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 4:6,1 Corinthians 4:18.; 1 Corinthians 8:1. Powerful picture of the self-conceit of these bombastic Gnostics. [source]
Colossians 2:18Dwelling in the things which he hath seen [εμβατευω] Some MSS. have “not,” but not genuine. This verb εμβατης embateuō (from κενεμβατευων embatēs stepping in, going in) has given much trouble. Lightfoot has actually proposed κενεμβατεω kenembateuōn (a verb that does not exist, though αιωρα kenembateō does occur) with ενεβατευσεν aiōra to tread on empty air, an ingenious suggestion, but now unnecessary. It is an old word for going in to take possession (papyri examples also). W. M. Ramsay (Teaching of Paul, pp. 287ff.) shows from inscriptions in Klaros that the word is used of an initiate in the mysteries who “set foot in” Present passive participle of πυσα phusioō late and vivid verb from phusa pair of bellows, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 4:6,1 Corinthians 4:18.; 1 Corinthians 8:1. Powerful picture of the self-conceit of these bombastic Gnostics. [source]
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 4:18
First aorist (effective) passive indicative of πυσιοω phusioō which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. [source]
Genitive absolute with particle (assuming it as so) with μη mē as negative. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 4:18
Present active participle of τελοντας thelō to wish, to will, but a difficult idiom. Some take it as like an adverb for “wilfully” somewhat like εν ετελοταπεινοπροσυνηι thelontas in 2 Peter 3:5. Others make it a Hebraism from the lxx usage, “finding pleasure in humility.” The Revised Version margin has “of his own mere will, by humility.” Hort suggested ετελοτρησκια en ethelotapeinophrosunēi (in gratuitous humility), a word that occurs in Basil and made like και τρησκειαι των αγγελων ethelothrēskia in Colossians 2:23. And worshipping of the angels (ταπεινοπροσυνην kai thrēskeiāi tōn aggelōn). In Colossians 3:12 humility (α εορακεν εμβατευων tapeinophrosunēn) is a virtue, but it is linked with worship of the angels which is idolatry and so is probably false humility as in Colossians 2:23. They may have argued for angel worship on the plea that God is high and far removed and so took angels as mediators as some men do today with angels and saints in place of Christ. Dwelling in the things which he hath seen Some MSS. have “not,” but not genuine. This verb εμβατης embateuō (from κενεμβατευων embatēs stepping in, going in) has given much trouble. Lightfoot has actually proposed κενεμβατεω kenembateuōn (a verb that does not exist, though αιωρα kenembateō does occur) with ενεβατευσεν aiōra to tread on empty air, an ingenious suggestion, but now unnecessary. It is an old word for going in to take possession (papyri examples also). W. M. Ramsay (Teaching of Paul, pp. 287ff.) shows from inscriptions in Klaros that the word is used of an initiate in the mysteries who “set foot in” Present passive participle of πυσα phusioō late and vivid verb from phusa pair of bellows, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:18.; 1 Corinthians 8:1. Powerful picture of the self-conceit of these bombastic Gnostics. [source]
Some MSS. have “not,” but not genuine. This verb εμβατης embateuō (from κενεμβατευων embatēs stepping in, going in) has given much trouble. Lightfoot has actually proposed κενεμβατεω kenembateuōn (a verb that does not exist, though αιωρα kenembateō does occur) with ενεβατευσεν aiōra to tread on empty air, an ingenious suggestion, but now unnecessary. It is an old word for going in to take possession (papyri examples also). W. M. Ramsay (Teaching of Paul, pp. 287ff.) shows from inscriptions in Klaros that the word is used of an initiate in the mysteries who “set foot in” Present passive participle of πυσα phusioō late and vivid verb from phusa pair of bellows, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:18.; 1 Corinthians 8:1. Powerful picture of the self-conceit of these bombastic Gnostics. [source]
Present passive participle of πυσα phusioō late and vivid verb from phusa pair of bellows, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:18.; 1 Corinthians 8:1. Powerful picture of the self-conceit of these bombastic Gnostics. [source]
Note the indefinite designation of the errorists, and comp. 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:15, 1 Timothy 5:24; 1 Timothy 6:21. The expression is contemptuous. It is assumed that Timothy knows who they are. This is after the Pauline manner. See Galatians 1:7; Galatians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:18; 1 Corinthians 15:12; 2 Corinthians 3:1; Colossians 2:4, Colossians 2:8. [source]