1 Corinthians 4:12

and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

'toil' -'toil to exhaustion' (Ber). 'Common late verb for weariness in toil.' (Robertson p. 108) 'We have worked wearily with our hands to earn our living.' (Tay)

'working with our own hands' -which Paul had actually done in Corinth. (Acts 18:3). 1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 12:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7; Acts 20:34. 'Manual labor was particularly despised among the ancients.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 802)

This must of been particularly frustrating for Paul, for such "working" took away time from preaching.

'being reviled, we bless' -'we meet abuse with blessings' (TCNT) Following the example of Christ. (1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9)

'being persecuted, we endure' -'they make our lives miserable, but we take it patiently.' (Phi) 'They meet persecution with uncomplaining control' (Erdman p. 59) They did not let hard times move them to resentment, bitterness or withdrawing from society.