John Calvin 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)

I have in a figure transferred. From this we may infer that it was not those who were attached to Paul who gave rise to parties, as they certainly had not been so instructed, but rather those who, through ambition, had given themselves up to vain teachers. But as he could more freely and with less risk of causing offense bring forward his own name and that of his brothers, he preferred to point out in his own person the fault that existed in others. At the same time, he strikes a severe blow at the originators of the parties and points his finger to the sources from which this deadly division took its rise. For he shows them that if they had been satisfied with good teachers, they would have been spared this evil.

That is us. Some manuscripts have it “that in you.” Both readings suit well, and there is no difference of meaning, for what Paul intends is this: “I have, for the sake of example, transferred these things to myself and Apollos, so that you may transfer this example to yourselves.” “Learn then in us,” that is, “in that example which I have placed before you in our person as in a mirror”; or, “Learn in you,” that is, “apply this example to yourselves.” But what does he wish them to learn?

That no one be puffed up for his own teacher against another; that is, that they not be lifted up with pride on account of their teachers and do not abuse their names for the purpose of forming parties and tearing the Church apart. Observe, too, that pride or haughtiness is the cause and beginning of all contentions, when everyone, assuming for himself more than he is entitled to, is eager to have others subordinate to him.

The clause above what is written may be explained in two ways: either as referring to Paul’s writings or to the scriptural proofs he has presented. As this, however, is a matter of little importance, my readers are free to choose whichever interpretation they prefer.