1 Corinthians 4:12

12 and we toil, working with our own hands. [When we are] reviled, we bless; [when we are] persecuted, we endure;

1 Corinthians 4:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 4:12

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, and will make for his glory.

1 Corinthians 4:12 In-Context

10 We [are] fools for the sake of Christ, but you [are] prudent in Christ! We [are] weak, but you [are] strong! You [are] honored, but we [are] dishonored!

11 Until the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty and poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless,

12 and we toil, working with our own hands. [When we are] reviled, we bless; [when we are] persecuted, we endure;

13 [when we are] slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all [things], until now.

14 I am not writing these [things] to shame you, but admonishing [you] as my dear children.

Footnotes

• [a] *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("reviled") which is understood as temporal
• [b] *Here "[when]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("persecuted") which is understood as temporal