δοκω 1380 5719 V-PAI-1S-C γαρ 1063 CONJ οτι 3754 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM ημας 2248 P-1AP τους 3588 T-APM αποστολους 652 N-APM εσχατους 2078 A-APM απεδειξεν 584 5656 V-AAI-3S ως 5613 ADV επιθανατιους 1935 A-APM οτι 3754 CONJ θεατρον 2302 N-NSN εγενηθημεν 1096 5675 V-AOI-1P τω 3588 T-DSM κοσμω 2889 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ αγγελοις 32 N-DPM και 2532 CONJ ανθρωποις 444 N-DPM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
9. For. Introducing a contrast between the inflated self-satisfaction of the Corinthians and the actual condition of their teachers. You have come to reign, but the case is very different with us, for I think, etc.Hath set forth (apedeixen). Only twice in Paul's writings; here, and 2 Thessalonians ii. 4. See on approved, Acts ii. 22. In classical Greek used of publishing a law; shewing forth, and therefore naming or creating a king or military leader; bringing forward testimony; displaying treasure, etc. So here, exhibiting.
Last (escatouv). As in Mark ix. 35, of relative rank and condition: as having in men's eyes the basest lot of all.
Appointed to death (epiqanatiouv). Rev., doomed. Only here in the New Testament. Probably an allusion to the practice of exposing condemned criminals in the amphitheatre to fight with beasts or with one another as gladiators. The gladiators, on entering the arena, saluted the presiding officer with the words Nos morituri salutamus, We who are to die greet you. Tertullian paraphrases this passage, God hath chosen us apostles last as beast-fighters. "The vast range of an amphitheatre under the open sky, well represents the magnificent vision of all created things, from men up to angels, gazing on the dreadful death-struggle; and then the contrast of the selfish Corinthians sitting by unconcerned and unmoved by the awful spectacle" (Stanley). For a similar image of spectators watching the contest in the arena, see Heb. xii. 1. Compare also 1 Corinthians xv. 32.
Spectacle (qeatron). Primarily, a theatre; then that which is exhibited. Compare the kindred verb qeatrizomenoi being made a gazing-stock, Heb. x. 33.
Unto the world (tw kosmw). The universe, a sense not usual with Paul; compare ch. viii. 4. The words to angels and to men define world; so that the rendering of the American Rev. is preferable, both to angels and men. Principal Edwards remarks: "This comprehensive use of the word kosmos is remarkable, because, on the one hand, it is an advance on the Old-Testament conception of two separate spheres of existence, heaven and earth, not comprehended under any wider designation; and, on the other, because it differs from the meaning attached to the word among the Greeks; inasmuch as the apostle uses it of the spiritual as well as the physical totality of existence." The spiritual oneness of the universe is a conception eminently characteristic of St. Paul; but it is foreshadowed by Plato. "Communion and friendship and orderliness and temperance and justice bind together heaven and earth and gods and men; and this universe is therefore called kosmos or order; not disorder or misrule" ("Gorgias," 508).
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:9 {Hath set forth us the apostles last} (hemas tous apostolous escatous apedeixen). The first aorist active indicative of apodeiknumi, old verb to show, to expose to view or exhibit (Herodotus), in technical sense (cf. #2Th 2:4) for gladiatorial show as in eqeriomacesa (#1Co 15:32). In this grand pageant Paul and other apostles come last (escatous, predicate accusative after apedeixen) as a grand finale. {As men doomed to die} (hws epiqanatious). Late word, here alone in N.T. The LXX (Bel and the Dragon 31) has it for those thrown daily to the lions. Dionysius of Halicarnassus (_A.R_. vii. 35) uses it of those thrown from the Tarpeian Rock. The gladiators would say _morituri salutamus_. All this in violent contrast to the kingly Messianic pretensions of the Corinthians. {A spectacle} (qeatron). Cf. #Heb 11:33-40. The word, like our theatre, means the place of the show (#Ac 19:29,31). qen, it means the spectacle shown there (qeama or qea), and, as here, the man exhibited as the show like the verb qeatrizomenoi, made a spectacle (#Heb 10:33). Sometimes it refers to the spectators (qeatai) like our "house" for the audience. Here the spectators include "the world, both to angels and menw (twi kosmwi kai aggelois kai anqrwpois), dative case of personal interest.
