1 Corinthians 4:6-7
What is written? (ESV)
I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
What does it say?
I (Paul) have applied these things to myself and Apollos to benefit you, brethren, so you will learn not to go beyond what is written and become puffed up favoring one over another. Who makes you different? What do you have that you did not receive? If you received it, why boast as though you did not?
What is its immediate context?
In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul is calling them back to what they have learned and away from the arrogance and divisions that have crept in. In these first four chapters, he emphasizes the need for them to rely upon the word of God that he had shared with them as the foundation to solve these issues.
How 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 is applied across Bible answers
Can we interpret Bible prophecy?
Paul scolds the Corinthian Christians for "going beyond what is written."
Does Bible interpretation require special training?
Paul says not to "go beyond" God's word, as it leads to putting confidence (e.g. "puffed up") in the flesh.
What ‘all truth’ did the apostles receive (John 16:13)?
Paul instructs the Corinthians to "not go beyond what is written" - the implication being that the things taught by the Spirit were written down and shared.
This is later but in the same context of what the apostles had been "taught by the Spirit"3.
