1 Corinthians 4:12

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS - namely, "even unto this present hour" (): so continuous are my hardships. This is not stated in the narrative of Paul's proceedings at Ephesus, whence he wrote this letter (though it is expressly stated of him at Corinth, (cf. , etc., and Acts 19:1.) But in his address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus () he says, "Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities," etc. The undesignedness of the coincidence thus indirectly brought out is incompatible with forgery....

12.When he says that _while persecuted he suffers it, _and that he _prays _for his _revilers_, he intimates that he is not merely afflicted and abased by God, by means of the cross, but is also endowed with a disposition to abase himself willingly. In this, perhaps, he gives a stroke to the false apostles, who were so effeminate and tender, that they could not bear to be touched even with your little finger. In speaking of their _laboring _he adds — _with our own hands_, to express more fully the meanness of his employments (243) — “I do not merely gain a livelihood for myself by my own labor, but by mean labor, _working with my own hands_. ”...

7-13 We have no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. A sinner snatched from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must be very absurd and inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of God. St. Paul sets forth his own circumstances, ver. 9. Allusion is made to the cruel spectacles in the Roman games; where men were forced to cut one another to pieces, to divert the people; and where the victor did not escape with his life, though he should destroy his adversary, but was only kept for another combat, and must be killed at last. The thought that many eyes are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or temptations, should encourage constancy and patience. "We are weak, but ye are strong." All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than others. The apostle enters into particulars of their su...

Verse 1 Corinthians 4:12. _WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS_] They were obliged to labour in order to supply themselves with the necessaries of life while preaching the Gospel to others. This, no doubt, was the case in every place were no Church had been as yet formed: afterwards, the people of God supplied their ministers, according to their power, with food and raiment. _BEING REVILED, WE BLESS_, c.] What a most amiable picture does this exhibit of the power of the grace of Christ! Man is naturally a _proud_ creature, and his pride prompts him always to _avenge_ himself in whatever manner he can, and repay insult with insult. It is only the grace of Christ that can make a man patient in bearing injuries, and render blessing for cursing, beneficence for malevolence, c. The apostles suffered an indignities for Christ's sake for it was

AND LABOUR ... - This Paul often did. See the note at Acts 18:3; compare Acts 20:34; 1Th 2:9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8. BEING REVILED - That they were often reviled or reproached, their history everywhere shows. See the Acts of the Apostles. They were reviled or ridiculed as Jews by the Gentiles; and jeered by all as “Nazarenes,” and as deluded followers of Jesus; as the victims of a foolish superstition and enthusiasm. WE BLESS - We return good for evil. In this they followed the explicit direction of the Saviour; see the note at...

EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 _Judgments, human and Divine, respecting ministers._ 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 LET A MAN SO ACCOUNT OF US. Since it is inevitable that Christians should form some estimate of the position of their ministers, he proceeds to tell them what that estimate should be. Ministers are not to be unduly magnified, for their position is subordinate; they are not to be unduly depreciated, for if they are faithful they may appeal from frivolous human prejudices and careless depreciations to that only Judge and Master before whom they stand or fall. MINISTERS; here _huperetas; _in...

AND LABOUR, WORKING WITH OUR OWN HANDS,.... As the apostle did at Corinth, Acts 18:3 and elsewhere; partly to minister to his own necessities, and those of others; and partly that he might not be burdensome to the churches; and also to set an example of diligence and industry to others; though he had a right and power to claim a maintenance of those to whom he ministered. BEING REVILED, WE BLESS; as Christ commanded, Matthew 5:44 and the apostle himself directed and exhorted to, Romans 12:14 BEING PERSECUTED, WE SUFFER IT; that is, patiently; neither resisting our persecutors, nor murmuring and repining at our unhappy circumstances; but taking all in good part, as what is the will of God, an

CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God. (1 Corinthians 4:1)._ 2. Contrast Between Self-Glorification and Humiliation. (1 Corinthians 4:6). 3. Admonition to Beloved Children. (1 Corinthians 4:14). Paul speaks of himself and the fellow workmen as servants of Christ and the stewards of the mysteries of God. They were serving under Christ. Apollos, though not an Apostle, is included by Paul. Apollos with his great eloquence probably appealed strongly to the Corinthians and thus the party spirit had been fostered among them. But Paul classes Apollos with himself; he might have told the Corinthians that Apollos was not an Apostle and

PAUL WILL ACCEPT NO JUDGMENT BUT CHRIST'S. THE FORTUNATE LOT OF THE CORINTHIANS CONTRASTED WITH THE MISERABLE CONDITION OF THE APOSTLES. This section is concerned with the attitude of the Corinthians to Paul. Some were critical, there may have been a suggestion to put him on his trial before the church. He first states the criterion that ought to be applied in judging him and his colleagues. They are mere subordinates (a different Gr. word from that in 1 Corinthians 3:5), entrusted with a stewardship. The main qualification for such a position is not brilliant gift but incorruptible fidelity. However, what judgment they or any men pass upon him is a matter of indifference; he does not, though he knows himself so much more intimately than they can, venture to pass judgment even on himself. True, his conscience is clear, yet God alone is competent to pronounce him righteous. So they sh

THE THREE JUDGMENTS (1 Corinthians 4:1-5)...