We are a spectacle (1 Cor. 4:9)

“I think

That God has exhibited

Us apostles

As last of all,

Like men sentenced to death.

Because we have become

A spectacle

To the world,

To angels,

And to humans.”

δοκῶ γάρ, ὁ Θεὸς ἡμᾶς τοὺς ἀποστόλους ἐσχάτους ἀπέδειξεν ὡς ἐπιθανατίους, ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν τῷ κόσμῳ καὶ ἀγγέλοις καὶ ἀνθρώποις.

Paul said that I think (δοκῶ γάρ) that God (ὁ Θεὸς) has exhibited (ἀπέδειξεν) us (ἡμᾶς) apostles (ἀποστόλους) as last of all (ἐσχάτους), like men sentenced to death (ὡς ἐπιθανατίους), because we have become a spectacle (ὅτι θέατρον ἐγενήθημεν) to the world (τῷ κόσμῳ), to angels (καὶ ἀγγέλοις), and to humans (καὶ ἀνθρώποις).  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἐπιθανατίους, that means to condemn to death.  Paul continued his ironic remarks by pointing out the difference between the royal boastful Corinthians and the true apostles.  God had exhibited the apostles like men condemned to death.  They were like a spectacle for the whole world, both on earth and in heaven.  The apostles were like publicly condemned criminals in an outdoor theater.  Everyone could see them.  Have you ever become a spectacle?