Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:6

"Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other." — 1 Corinthians 4:6 (ASV)

These things—that is, all that he has written about the factions. He mentioned only himself and Apollos (and not the other party leaders) so that his motive in rebuking this schismatic spirit might not be misunderstood—a misunderstanding that could have occurred if he had written strongly and directly about Cephas and his admirers—and so that those who read the Epistle might learn a lesson of humility.

All that was said in condemnation of the spirit that exalted the Apostle and Apollos into party leaders would apply with equal or greater force to all others. For they, as the planter and the waterer of the Corinthian vineyard, the layer of the foundation and the one who built upon the Corinthian spiritual temple, were certainly the two whose exaltation by their followers might have seemed most pardonable.

That you might learn in us . . .—that is, by our examples you should learn not to go beyond what is written in the Scriptures. This principle is not found in any single specific passage but rather in the general tone and scope of the Old Testament writings, which always ascribe glory to God alone (as seen in passages like 1 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 1 Corinthians 3:19), so that none of you would be puffed up on behalf of one teacher (that is, Apollos) against another (that is, Paul), and vice versa.

The Apostle here touches on the fact that this exaltation of teachers was really a gratification of their own pride. It was not that they “puffed up” the teacher, but themselves.