If you have ever had a conversation with a protestant about Sola Scriptura (Bible alone) there is a good chance that 1 Corinthians 4:6 will be brought up as a proof text.
An unsuspecting Catholic may even think that this verse is teaching Sola Scriptura and not know how to respond to it.
In this article I will show you how I respond to it. It is not the first time that I needed to go back and study this verse. Every time a Protestant quotes it to me, I go back to the Bible to see what it's all about.
This recent encounter occurred when I commented on a post made by a Bible alone believer who is also very anti Catholic. From his content and other posts, I can see that he really doesn't understand what the Church teaches. And probably doesn't take the time to understand it either.
Anyway the context was Sola Scriptura, in which I responded with...
---+++++---
Kelly where is Sola Scriptura in the Bible?
- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV
As a Catholic I can say Amen!
I believe!
But it doesn't say scripture alone...
---+++++---
Later someone chimed in with;
1 Corinthians 4:6 - Do NOT exceed what is written.
---+++++---
As you can tell this person didn't quote the text in context (not even the whole verse itself) and did not provide the translation used either. But I know what they are trying to do and trying to say, so I don't really care about that. It's just a common thing I see people do online.
Anyway I went back to the scriptures and explored the verse and especially looked at it in context. Which I highly recommend.
Reminder context is key if we are to truly understand scripture and what the biblical authors were trying to convey.
---+++++---
This is how I responded to this.
I hope it helps 😊
That verse is not saying what you assume it does. Context is key, or we cherry pick verses to make them seem like they are saying something they are not.
Not sure what translation you are quoting from but we can cross reference it with the King James version for a more literal translation in order to examine the meaning.
We read...
- And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 1 Cor 4:6 KJV
So we see Paul is referring to the scriptures in a particular context, "not to think of men above that which is written" why? "That no one is puffed up" this verse is talking about Pride. In other words; Paul is specifically addressing local factionalism and pride in Corinth.
And specifically when Paul says "what is written" he is referring to the Old Testament passages he quoted earlier namely, Isaiah 29:14, Jer 9:24, Job 5:13, Psalm 94:11.
Also at the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, most of the New Testament was not even written yet, and we didn't have a Bible as we know it today. If Paul was speaking of Sola Scriptura then he is only referring to the scriptures that existed at the time which would exclude most of the New Testament.
And we know that Paul is not referring to Sola Scriptura in 1 Cor 4:6, because in his previous letters written to the Thessalonians he says - Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 2 Thess 2:15 KJV
Either you have to believe that Paul is contradicting himself, or admit that he is not saying what you think he is.
End response...
---+++++---
And since we know the Bible doesn't contradict itself and is indeed the word of God, we know for certain that 1 Cor 4:6 is not speaking of Sola Scriptura. And that Paul didn't teach Sola Scriptura either.
Another great verse to show what Paul is teaching about this is 1 Timothy 3:15, and it says...
"if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."
Paul never says the Bible or the scriptures are the pillar and foundation of truth. He says "the Church" is!
We can also point to 2 Peter 1:20, which states, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
If all that is true then Sola Scriptura just doesn't work since through it anyone and everyone is their own authority to what the Bible says.
Anyway I hope this helps. It's not a perfect answer I'm sure, but I think it's pretty good and in line with what the Authority of the Catholic Church says, as well as makes the most sense considering the context.
God bless 🙏
In this article I am quoting from the NIV, unless indicated otherwise as KJV.
Here are the scriptures Paul is refrancing in 1 Corinthians when he says "what is written"
Isaiah 29:14 – Quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:19 ("I will destroy the wisdom of the wise")
Jeremiah 9:24 – Quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:31 ("Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord")
Job 5:13 – Quoted in 1 Corinthians 3:19 ("He catches the wise in their craftiness")
Psalm 94:11 – Quoted in 1 Corinthians 3:20 ("The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile")
