Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 4:8-13”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.”
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Paul asked the question in verse 7, “Who regards you as superior?” God has given us all of our “gifts” and talents and not all people are equally “gifted” or talented. Again in verse 7 he asked them, “What do you have that you did not receive?” Since all of our blessings are God-given, there is no room for boasting or gloating. Whatever abilities we have been given, we just need to humbly use them in our service to the Lord and to our brethren and fellowmen.
Many of the brethren in Corinth just thought way too highly of themselves. Even though there were “not many wise…, not many mighty, not many noble” among them (chapter 1 verse 26), Paul played into their self-aggrandizement by calling them “kings” in verse 8. He actually wished that they “had become kings” so that he could “reign with” them. That would be quite a change from the way that Paul and his fellow “servants” were actually living.
The reality was that they struggled and suffered daily, while many of the people that they served lived a “royal” life of luxury. Paul said that God had “exhibited” the Apostles “last of all, as men condemned to death” (verse 9). This is likely analogous to the “condemned men” who were forced to face the gladiators or wild beasts at the end of the day during the Greek Games. These men were “thrown to the lions” as it were—unarmed, defenseless and hopeless.
It’s not like Paul was complaining about the difficulties he faced in his willing service to the Lord. He was just pointing out how ridiculous it is for Christians to view any of the Lord’s servants with contempt. They, of all people, should know better than to do that. Everything that Paul and the other Apostles were doing, by laying their lives on the line on a daily basis, was for the wellbeing of their brethren in Christ and their brothers and sisters in the human race (verses 13-14).
The Apostles certainly were not in it for the wealth, fame and glory! Just the opposite, they were frequently defamed, dishonored, hungry, thirsty, impoverished, mistreated, persecuted and slandered (verses 10-13). But they did not allow themselves to become cynical or to render evil for evil. When they were “reviled” they “blessed”, when they were “persecuted” they “endured”, when they were “slandered” they “conciliated”. This is what I think Paul was talking about when he said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Only through faith and devotion to Christ Jesus can we ever hope to love our enemies, bless those who curse us and pray for those who despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28). “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:11-13).
Please read 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
