4:61 Corinthians 4:6

Paul uses himself and Apollos as an example to teach believers not to value ministers beyond what Scripture warrants and not to become proud and divided by favoring one against another.AA 276.1–3+2 Every ability and distinction is received from God, so no one has ground to boast as if it were not received or to act as if already full and reigning.AA 276.1–3+2 Human judgment is a very small thing, and nothing is to be judged before the time until the Lord comes to bring hidden things to light and give each his praise from God.AA 276.1–3+1 Not to think above what is written means not to claim wisdom beyond what God has revealed and not to exalt human opinion, philosophy, or science above the written word, which alone is the standard.4T 584.2–585.1+3 It defines the position of a steward of the mysteries of God as one who handles the Master's goods with strict accountability, keeps conscience void of offense, and works humbly within the measure God gives without self-exalting comparison.Ms 25, 1906, par. 2–4+2

Paul transferred these things in a figure to himself and to Apollos for the sake of believers, so that in them they might learn not to think of ministers above what is written and not to be puffed up for one against another in proud division and party support of one servant of God against another.AA 276.1–3+3 Valuing one leader above what Scripture warrants and comparing one person with another to the detriment of someone less preferred is forbidden by this example.16MR 198.2–3+1 Any difference between persons and any gift possessed was received from God, so there is no ground for boasting as if it had not been received, for making oneself to differ, or for acting as if full and rich and reigning as kings.AA 276.1–3+2

Human judgment is a very small thing, and knowing nothing against oneself does not justify a person.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13 Nothing is to be judged before the time, until the Lord comes to bring to light the hidden things of darkness and to make manifest the counsels of the hearts, when each will have praise from God.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13 The Lord rather than human beings judges each servant's work and gives to each a just reward.AA 276.1–3

The apostles are set forth last as appointed to death and made a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men, where human deficiencies are apparent before angels and men.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13 The whole chapter holds strong truths that expose those deficiencies and must be put into practice and communicated.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13+1 Righteousness must go before each soul so that the glory of God will be the rearward, because God's building in human character is the most splendid workmanship.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13

Not to think above what is written forbids claiming wisdom beyond what God has revealed in Scripture.4T 584.2–585.1 Human theories that try to fit God's ways and works within limited understanding are false wisdom, and pride in such knowledge leads to rejecting God's light.4T 584.2–585.1 The written word is the standard by which each person will be judged, while spiritual truths cannot be grasped by the carnal mind because they are discerned spiritually.4T 584.2–585.1 It forbids exalting human opinions, philosophy, or science above God's written word and rejecting truths in His word because human reason cannot comprehend His work.TBC1882 61.3–62.1+1 Trusting the judgments of philosophers above the Bible and the testimony of the Holy Spirit is presumption rather than true wisdom.TBC1882 61.3–62.1

True science agrees with Inspiration, but explanations that set science apart from God are pretentious ignorance that leads to skepticism and rejection of light.MYP 189.3–190.1 The mystery of godliness cannot be fully understood by any human mind, and it cannot be understood by an unregenerate heart.MYP 189.3–190.1 Treating human opinion or judgment as wiser than what Scripture teaches makes people proud and divided.5T 79.3 No one is to be wise above what is written or strive to be original, for such wisdom is foolishness and proves failure to comprehend God's will and purposes.Ms 16, 1888, par. 5–6 The command forbids seeking to make plain or unravel mysteries hidden for ages from mortal man, setting up to correct the errors of the Bible, and trying to improve it by suggesting what the Lord meant to say or ought to have said.Ms 16, 1888, par. 5–6 Those who do this are like a man floundering in mud, unable to get himself out, yet telling others how to get out.Ms 16, 1888, par. 5–6

Being wise above what is written means elevating human rules and enactments above God's commands.PK 186.1+1 This applies to laws that coerce conscience by enforcing first-day observance while disregarding the seventh-day Sabbath and legalizing the liquor traffic, thereby sanctioning harm.PK 186.1+1 Such laws exalt human enactments over divine authority, and those who promote them incur God's curse.PK 186.1 The verse also forbids thinking of oneself as a big, smart person who can safely read infidel authors and pick out all that is precious while leaving out all that is vile.Ms 8b, 1891, par. 17–20+1 It cannot be done, because the devil is much smarter than man, evil angels are at hand, and error is so cunningly interwoven with truth that it cannot be distinguished and insinuates itself into mind and character, and God pronounces such confidence foolish.Ms 8b, 1891, par. 17–20+1

To be counted wise in God's sight a person must come to the cross of Calvary for inspiration and build upon the rock by riveting the soul to the Eternal Rock.Ms 8b, 1891, par. 17–20+1 This requires exercising all mental and spiritual powers to understand the Word of God, the incarnation of Christ, and the great plan of redemption.Ms 8b, 1891, par. 17–20 True wisdom rests on Christ, not on confidence in one's own discernment to separate every truth from error.9MR 68.2

The verse clearly defines the position of a steward and is to be made a diligent study by ministers of Christ and physicians to test where they stand.Ms 25, 1906, par. 2–4 Applied, it requires handling the Master's goods in means or property with great accountability, keeping everything in order, keeping conscience void of offense toward God and fellow men, keeping dealings with other stewards untarnished by mean actions, and not trying to make one's own course appear as possessing great wisdom.Ms 25, 1906, par. 2–4 It calls every person to have a true, living experience as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, learning in Paul and Apollos not to value men beyond Scripture and not to be puffed up for one against another.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13 Human judgment is a very small thing, knowing nothing against oneself does not justify a person, and nothing is to be judged before the time until the Lord comes to bring hidden darkness to light and manifest the counsels of the hearts, when each will have praise from God.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13 It rebukes making oneself to differ and glorying as if a received gift were not received, and acting as if full and rich and reigning as kings, while the apostles are set forth last as appointed to death and made a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men, where deficiencies are apparent; the whole chapter holds strong truths showing the need for righteousness to go before each soul so that divine glory will be the rearward, since God's building in human character is the most splendid workmanship.Ms 93, 1893, par. 11–13

The verse describes the kind of shepherds and missionaries needed for cities and highways: families who are not self-centered and will work anywhere in self-denial, taking up the work at hand as for Jesus.Lt 10, 1892, par. 13–15 True laborers who feel the burden of caring for the flock say by precept and example that they preach not themselves but Jesus Christ the Lord and themselves servants for Jesus' sake.Lt 10a, 1892, par. 10–12+1 God who commanded light to shine out of darkness has shined in their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ, and they always bear about in the body the dying of Jesus so that his life is manifest in mortal flesh.Lt 10a, 1892, par. 10–12+1 The truth received is exceedingly precious and makes wise workers with Christ, refining, purifying, elevating and ennobling the receiver, cutting away fleshly lusts and by its gracious influence filling the soul bringing every thought into captivity to Christ.Lt 10, 1892, par. 13–15

The verse warns against thinking of persons above Scripture and becoming proud and divided for one against another, and against self-exalting comparisons of persons.Ms 97, 1899, par. 21–23 Applied to workers, comparing one's pay with another's fosters selfishness and covetousness, leading to claiming more than is right and even misusing entrusted funds.Ms 97, 1899, par. 21–23 God's servants are to work within the measure he gives, avoid boasting in another's work, and seek approval from the Lord.Ms 97, 1899, par. 21–23

No worker in God's institutions is to become wise above Scripture by measuring self by self and comparing self among self.Ms 142, 1903, par. 109–110 The verse forbids becoming dissatisfied, demanding to be greatly favored, selling labor to the highest bidder, and saying if another receives such a sum the same should be received.Ms 142, 1903, par. 109–110 Making one's own terms about the value of labor, appropriating means for personal use, and taking from the treasury money that should supply brethren laboring in hard fields is selfishness and covetousness, double-dealing that robs God and the treasury like the sin of Achan, and it disqualifies a man from giving the work its right mold.Ms 142, 1903, par. 109–110