Who does Paul include when he says 'us the apostles' in 1 Corinthians 4:9?
In 1 Corinthians 4:9, when Paul writes 'us the apostles,' he includes the twelve apostles in Jerusalem along with himself, and probably Barnabas. The context indicates God set forth these apostles last, as appointed to death, emphasizing their suffering for the gospel.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 4:9 Paul writes that God has set forth 'us the apostles' last, as appointed to death. Les suggests Paul is including the twelve apostles back in Jerusalem and himself, and probably Barnabas. The apostle wants the Corinthians to experience a greater joy of salvation and to be part of that, since he was responsible for bringing them out of their pagan lifestyle. Paul addresses carnal Christians who were rich, full, and reigned as kings without the apostles, and he wishes they did reign so that he also might reign with them.
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.