Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

What Paul has said about not judging or misjudging Apollos or himself he wants understood as applying to the Corinthians’ attitude toward all of God’s people; they should not take pride in some and despise others. In referring to this misconception on their part, the apostle may be alluding to the real leaders of the factious parties for whom the other names—Paul, Apollos, Peter, and Christ— had been substituted. Or he may be simply referring to some who were responsible for stirring up this misconception about how God’s ministers should be viewed.

In the expression “I have applied these things to myself and Apollos,” Paul says he is teaching the Corinthians by personal illustration that ministers are only examples, rather than merely teaching them by abstract principles.

The saying “Do not go beyond what is written” contains the familiar phrase often used to introduce OT quotations. Paul is advising the Corinthians not to go beyond any written doctrine in the OT. The last clause in v.6, like the preceding clause, is one of result and fits into the context as follows: If they learn not to go beyond the teaching of the Scripture about how they should treat God’s teachers and all of God’s people, then the result will be that they will not be conceited in taking a stand for one teacher or person over against another.