All The World’s A Stage
(1 Corinthians 4:9-13)
Introduction: “All the world’s a stage” is the phrase that begins a famous soliloquy from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It, spoken by the melancholy character named Jaques. The section says…
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts
I think Paul would have agreed with these lines, and his statement in 1 Corinthians 4:9 is definitely in harmony with how Shakespeare’s soliloquy begins. Paul said…
(1 Corinthians 4:9) 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.
Paul had a pretty good idea of what the Corinthians thought about him and his ministry. But now he says, “Here’s what I think.” He said that he had been “made a spectacle unto the world.” This word “spectacle” is the Greek term “theatron” from which we get our word theater. It is a word that has the idea of a show and something that others watch.
spectacle – Greek NT:2302; theatron, akin to theaomai, “to behold,” denotes (a) “a theater” (used also as a place of assembly), Acts 19:29,31; (b) “a spectacle, a show,” used metaphorically in 1 Corinthians 4:9.
(From Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)
When we were on vacation recently in Pigeon Forge, I had a humiliating experience that the rest of my family thoroughly enjoyed. We went to a dinner theater, and during the course of the entertainment one of the young ladies came and asked me if I would help them in one of their skits. I agreed, and they took me backstage where they gave me a baby bonnet, a rattle, a bottle and a huge cloth diaper wrapped around my pants. When I was prompted, I was to go onstage with the performers and other audience members who had been recruited to play my part in this little skit.
We later saw one little boy who had also been recruited to play a part, and he was wondering if anyone wanted his autograph. He had been bitten by the acting bug. But I can honestly say that the experience didn’t cultivate any desire in my heart to be a performer.
But the thing that Shakespeare understood, and the thing that Paul understood, is that we all have a part to play in this drama called “Life.”
As he considers his role in this grand production…
I. Paul Says, “I Am The Finale”
(1 Corinthians 4:9) 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.
John MacArthur wrote…
When a Roman general won a major victory it was celebrated by what was called a triumph. The general would enter the city in great military splendor, leading his officers and troops. Behind those would come a group of prisoners in chains, with the conquered king and his officers prominently displayed for all to see and mock. The prisoners were under the sentence of death and would be taken to the arena to fight wild beasts. That is the spectacle to which Paul refers. In the spiritual warfare he was fighting he was considered to be that sort of captive, that sort of conquered prisoner, condemned to death. James Moffatt translates, “God means us apostles to come in at the very end like doomed gladiators in the arena.”
Adam Clarke said…
This whole passage is well explained by Dr. Whitby. “Here the apostle seems to allude to the Roman spectacles, that of the Bestiarii and the gladiators; where in the morning men were brought upon the theatres to fight with wild beasts, and to them was allowed armour to defend themselves and smite the beasts that assailed them; but in the meridian or noon-day spectacles the gladiators were brought forth naked, and without anything to defend themselves from the sword of the assailant; and he that then escaped was only kept for slaughter to another day, so that these men might well be called men appointed for death; and this being the last appearance on the theatre for that day, they are said here to be set forth the last.”
A. Notice His Arena In This Finale
(1 Corinthians 4:9) 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.
In its widest reference the text teaches that our world is a theatre or arena, whereon men act their various parts, as in a drama – “a spectacle unto the world.” (C. Wadsworth from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright)
1. The Arena Is This World And It’s Organization (The World System)
2. The Arena Is This World And It’s Occupants
world – Greek NT:2889* kosmos; an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order / ornament, decoration, adornment: 1 Peter 3:3 / the world, i. e. the universe Acts 17:24; Romans 4:13 / the circle of the earth, the earth Mark 16:15 / the inhabitants of the world: 1 Corinthians 4:9 (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
B. Notice His Audience In This Finale
(1 Corinthians 4:9) 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.
1. There Is A Heavenly Audience
Cf. (1 Peter 1:12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
2. There Is A Human Audience
C. Notice His Appointment In This Finale
(1 Corinthians 4:9) 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.
1. Let’s Consider The Meaning Of This Appointment
appointed to death – Greek 1935. epithanatios, ep-ee-than-at'-ee-os; from G1909 and G2288 (with death); doomed to death.
2. Let’s Consider The Morbidity Of This Appointment
2288. thanatos, than'-at-os; from G2348; (prop. an adj. used as a noun) death (lit. or fig.):--X deadly, (be . . .) death.
Appointed to death – Greek epithanatious. The English Revised Version (1885): “doomed.” Only here in the New Testament. Probably an allusion to the practice of exposing condemned criminals in the amphitheater 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 amphitheater 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” (Dr. Stanley). (From Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament)
II. Paul Says, “I Am The Fool”
(1 Corinthians 4:10-11) We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. {11} Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
fools – Greek 3474. moros, mo-ros'; prob. from the base of G3466; dull or stupid (as if shut up), i.e. heedless, (mor.) blockhead, (appar.) absurd:--fool (-ish, X -ishness).
See 1 Corinthians 1:21,27
A. Paul Indicated That He Had No Honor In This World
(1 Corinthians 4:10) We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
1. Notice Their Claims Of Self-Sufficiency
wise … strong … honourable (intelligent, powerful, noble)
John MacArthur paraphrased Paul’s remarks by saying…
“You still really think of the gospel as foolish and of its ministers as foolish. You are ashamed of being Christ’s servant. You want glory, honor, and worldly recognition.” The Corinthians still loved human wisdom. They were still tempted to look on preachers of the gospel as babblers, just as the Athenian philosophers had done (Acts 17:18). They could not bear to be fools for Christ’s sake, and thought of themselves as prudent, strong, and distinguished.
2. Notice The Condition Of Suffering
weak – Greek 772. asthenes, as-then-ace'; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and the base of G4599; strengthless (in various applications, lit., fig. and mor.):--more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, weak (-er, -ness, thing).
despised – Greek 820. atimos, at'-ee-mos; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and G5092; (neg.) unhonoured or (pos.) dishonoured:--despised, without honour, less honourable [comparative degree].
B. Paul Indicated That He Had No Help From This World
1. The World Offers No Provision
we both hunger, and thirst
hunger – Greek 3983. peinao, pi-nah'-o; from the same as G3993 (through the idea of pinching toil; "pine"); to famish (absol. or comparatively); fig. to crave:--be an hungered.
2. The World Offers No Protection
are naked, and are buffeted
naked – Greek 1130. gumneteuo, goom-nayt-yoo'-o; from a der. of G1131; to strip, i.e. (reflex.) go poorly clad:--be naked.
buffeted – Greek 2852. kolaphizo, kol-af-id'-zo; from a der. of the base of G2849; to rap with the fist:--buffet.
C. Paul Indicated That He Had No Home In This World
1. There Is A Lack Of Stability Here
have no certain dwelling-place – Greek 790. astateo, as-tat-eh'-o; from G1 (as a neg. particle) and a der. of G2476; to be non-stationary, i.e. (fig.) homeless.
From astatos ”unstable, strolling about.” Only here in the New Testament. Wycliffe: “we be unstable.”
(From Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament)
2. There Is A Likeness To The Savior Here
Cf. (Matthew 8:20) And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
III. Paul Says, “I Am The Filth”
(1 Corinthians 4:12-13) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: {13} Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
filth – Greek 4027. perikatharma, per-ee-kath'-ar-mah; from a comp. of G4012 and G2508; something cleaned off all around, i.e. refuse (fig.):--filth.
offscouring – Greek 4067. peripsoma, per-ip'-so-mah; from a comp. of G4012 and psao (to rub); something brushed all around, i.e. off-scrapings (fig. scum).
These are poignant word pictures that Paul uses. It’s like dirty dish water, or the pile of dirt that’s been swept on the floor.
A. Though I Am Filth, I Am Blessing
(1 Corinthians 4:12) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
1. Notice The Reproach
reviled – Greek 3058. loidoreo, loy-dor-eh'-o; from G3060; to reproach, i.e. vilify (speak ill of, malign):--revile.
2. Notice The Response
[We bless] We return good for evil. In this they followed the explicit direction of the Saviour; see the note at Matt 5:44. (From Barnes’ Notes)
(Matthew 5:44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
B. Though I Am Filth, I Am Boasting
(1 Corinthians 4:12) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
Paul was not bitter about the suffering, but it seems almost that he was boasting in the suffering.
persecuted – Greek NT:1377. diookoo; to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after; to harass, trouble, molest one; to persecute, to be maltreated, suffer persecution on account of something. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. Paul Could React With Rejoicing
Cf. (Matthew 5:10-12) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Cf. (Acts 5:40-41) And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. {41} And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Cf. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. {24} Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. {25} Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; {26} In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; {27} In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. {28} Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.