Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 4:6

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to my self, and to Apollos for your sakes: that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that none of you be puffed up for one against antoher .

By these words the Apostle lets us know, that though he had said, Chap. 1.12. that some of them said, We are of Paul, and others, We are of Apollo; yet the names of Paul and of Apollo were but used to represent other of their Teachers, which were the Heads of those Factions which were amongst them. In very deed there were none of them that said, We are of Paul or of Apollo (for those that were the Disciples of Paul and Apollo were better taught) but they had other Teachers amongst them as to whom they made Factions, whom Paul had a mind to reprove, with their Followers; and to avoid all odium, that both they and their Hearers might take no offence at his free reproving of them, he makes use of his own name, and that of Apollo's, and speaketh to the Hearers of these Teachers, as if they were his own, and Apollo's Disciples. That those whom the reproof and admonition concerned properly, might be reproved under the reproof of others.

And that (as the Apostle saith) all the Church of Corinth, as well Ministers as people, might learn to have humble opinions and thoughts of themselves, not to think of themselves above what, by the rules of Gods Word, was written in the Old Testament they ought to think; or above what he had before written in this Epistle, or to the Romans, Ch. 12.13.

And none of them, whether Ministers or private Christians, might be puffed up. The word signifieth to be swell'd or blown up as a bladder or a pair of bellows, which is extended with wind: it is used in this Chap. v. 18, 19. & 8.1. Col. 2.18.