For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
Parallel translations
- WEB For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
- BSB For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
- NKJV For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
- NASB For I think, God has exhibited us, the apostles, last of all as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to mankind.
- NLT Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul pictures the apostles as condemned men paraded last in a procession, a spectacle to the whole world. It matters because true gospel ministry often looks like weakness and shame, not triumph.
Overview
Contrasting himself with the boastful Corinthians, Paul likens the apostles to prisoners led out last to die in the arena, watched by angels and men. This deliberately inverts the world's measure of greatness. Following the pattern of the crucified Christ, the apostles' lowliness, not earthly glory, displays the genuine shape of faithful service.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Heb 10:33Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
- Rom 8:36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
- 2 Cor 4:8–12We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
- Phil 1:29–30For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
- Heb 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- Rev 6:9–11And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
- 2 Cor 1:8–10For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
- 1 Cor 15:30–32And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
- Rev 7:11–14And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
- 2 Cor 6:9As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
- Acts 19:31And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
- Rev 17:6–7And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
- Heb 11:36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
- Acts 19:29And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
- 1 Th 5:9–10For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Ps 44:22Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
- 1 Th 3:3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 4:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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