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For while one saith I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollo, are ye not Carnal?

These words (you have heard) prohibit a sinful admiration of any mans person, or gifts, though he be an Apostle Paul, though he be an eloquent Apollo. More spiritual matter this Text will also afford; only I must first answer that Question;¹ Whether the Corinthians did indeed set up these eminent godly men as Heads, of Parties; or whether his meaning was, that they set up many false Apostles, and became factious Disciples to such: only the Apostle spareth to name them, thinking it wisdom to do so, and instanceth in himself and other Pillars; teaching them hereby, that if such as were faithful and godly ought not to be exalted, how much less corrupt and false Teachers? Some are for the Affirmative, and some for the Negative,² but I think both Expositions may well be joined together. For, the Corinthians (some of them) did too much glory in Paul and Apollo, and set them up. Otherwise; Why should Paul bless God so much for that Providence, that he had baptized so few? For men were apt to set up those that baptized them, as if they had been baptized into their name. Therefore, certainly the Corinthians did sinfully rest and glory in such as Paul. Wherefore he takes them off, and excellently concludes, Let him that glorieth, glory in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1.13. Thus the first Exposition is true. Then that the other also is true, that although Paul instanceth in himself and others, yet thereby meaning other ambitious Teachers that affected Disciples, appeareth also, 1 Cor. 4.6. where he saith, He had by a Figure transferred those things to himself and Apollo, for their sakes. That is, for their Instruction, to teach them, that they must not think of Paul and Apollo above what they should (as many of them did) much less of false ambitious corrupt Teachers, as many others also did.