1 Corinthians 4:12

12 καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν · λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν, διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα,

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 ἡμεῖς μωροὶ διὰ Χριστόν, ὑμεῖς δὲ φρόνιμοι ἐν Χριστῷ · ἡμεῖς ἀσθενεῖς, ὑμεῖς δὲ ἰσχυροί · ὑμεῖς ἔνδοξοι, ἡμεῖς δὲ ἄτιμοι.

11 ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας καὶ πεινῶμεν καὶ διψῶμεν καὶ γυμνιτεύομεν καὶ κολαφιζόμεθα καὶ ἀστατοῦμεν

12 καὶ κοπιῶμεν ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν · λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν, διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα,

13 δυσφημούμενοι παρακαλοῦμεν · ὡς περικαθάρματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐγενήθημεν, πάντων περίψημα ἕως ἄρτι.

14 Οὐκ ἐντρέπων ὑμᾶς γράφω ταῦτα, ἀλλ’ ὡς τέκνα μου ἀγαπητὰ νουθετῶν ·