1 Corinthians 4:10-13

1 Corinthians 4:10-13

We are fools for the sake of Christ, and you are wise in Christ.  We are weak, and you are strong.  You are honored, and we are lacking in honor.  Up until even now we hunger and thirst and dress in rags and are being beaten with fists and are having no residence in which to live and we have hard work while expending considerable efforts by our own hands.  While being strongly insulted, we bless.  While being persecuted, we endure patiently.  While being slandered, we encourage.  As we became the scum of the world, the garbage of all things, even up to now.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Let’s be clear here in this passage as well.  Paul is being absolutely sarcastic with respect to the Corinthians.  He is being blunt with what they are pursuing.  The Corinthians are proud that they are wise.  They are proud that they are honorable.  They are proud about how strong they are.  Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t be wise or strong or honorable.  But we should be careful about the root of these things.  Do we pursue Christ so that other people will think us wise, strong, or honored?  Or do we pursue Christ to be obedient to Him and follow Him where he leads?

Why do you pursue Christ?  Are you pursuing Christ so other people think well of you?  What is the difference between pursuing Christ to follow Him and pursuing Christ for your own benefit?

Second Thought:

In this passage we also get a glimpse at Paul’s testimony.  This is a powerful testimony in my life.  What does Paul’s life look like?  Fool.  Weakling.  Disrepute.  Hunger.  Thirst.  Less-than-average clothing.  Physically beaten.  No place to live.  Hard work requiring physical expenditure of effort.  That’s what Paul’s life looked like.  That’s what he’ll tell the Corinthians to imitate in just a few verses.  If you want a high challenge reading, take this list in more than once.  Look at that list of attributes again.  How many of those attributes are things we commonly look forward to saying about ourselves?

Are you interested in pursuing any of those attributes on Paul’s list?  Why or why not?

Third Thought:

As I read the final verse and a half of this section, I cannot help but also be reminded of Isaiah 53:7.  I have no doubt that Isaiah inspired Paul as he wrote these words.  Look at his testimony.  When persecuted, he endured it.  When insulted, he blessed.  When slandered, he encouraged.  Paul is an incredible inspiration to me as to how Christian leaders behave in this world.

How do you react when persecuted, slandered, or insulted?  How does reading these words help you understand Paul and Christ and the call of discipleship more?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 4:14-16