1 Corinthians 4:12
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
We work hard with our own hands
The phrase "work hard" comes from the Greek word "kopiao," which means to labor to the point of exhaustion. This reflects the apostle Paul's dedication to his ministry and his willingness to support himself through manual labor, such as tent-making, to avoid being a financial burden to the church (Acts 18:3). The emphasis on "our own hands" underscores the dignity of labor and the importance of self-sufficiency. In a historical context, manual labor was often looked down upon in Greco-Roman society, yet Paul elevates it as a means of serving God and others. This serves as an inspirational reminder that all work, when done for the glory of God, is honorable and valuable.

When we are vilified, we bless
The term "vilified" translates from the Greek "loidoreo," meaning to revile or speak abusively. Paul and his companions faced harsh criticism and slander from both Jews and Gentiles. Despite this, they chose to "bless" (Greek: "eulogeo"), which means to speak well of or to invoke divine favor upon others. This reflects Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44, where believers are called to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. The historical context of early Christians facing persecution highlights the radical nature of this response, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel to enable believers to respond with grace and love.

when we are persecuted, we endure it
"Persecuted" comes from the Greek "dioko," which means to pursue with the intent to harm. The early church faced significant persecution, from social ostracism to physical violence. Paul's use of "endure" (Greek: "anechomai") indicates a steadfastness and patience in the face of suffering. This endurance is not passive resignation but an active, faithful perseverance rooted in hope and trust in God's ultimate justice and deliverance. Historically, the endurance of early Christians under persecution served as a powerful testimony to their faith and often led to the growth of the church, as others were drawn to the strength and peace exhibited by believers. This serves as an encouragement for modern Christians to remain steadfast in their faith amidst trials, trusting in God's sovereignty and grace.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. Paul is emphasizing his own example of humility and perseverance in ministry.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and moral issues.

3. Corinthian Church
The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with issues of pride, division, and misunderstanding of Christian leadership.

4. Persecution
The context of suffering and opposition faced by early Christians, including Paul, as they spread the Gospel.

5. Manual Labor
Paul highlights the dignity of working with one's hands, countering the cultural disdain for manual labor in Greek society.
Teaching Points
The Dignity of Work
Paul emphasizes the value of working with one's hands, challenging cultural norms that devalue manual labor. Christians are called to see all work as honorable when done for God's glory.

Responding to Vilification
When faced with insults or slander, believers are encouraged to respond with blessings. This reflects the character of Christ and serves as a powerful witness to others.

Enduring Persecution
Endurance in the face of persecution is a hallmark of Christian faith. Believers are called to remain steadfast, trusting in God's strength and purpose.

Living Counter-Culturally
The Christian response to adversity is counter-cultural, emphasizing humility, patience, and love. This distinctiveness sets believers apart and points others to Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's example of working with his hands challenge our modern views on work and vocation?

2. In what practical ways can we bless those who vilify us in our daily lives?

3. How can we prepare ourselves spiritually and emotionally to endure persecution or opposition for our faith?

4. What are some specific examples from Jesus' life that illustrate blessing others in the face of vilification?

5. How can the principles in 1 Corinthians 4:12 be applied to foster unity and humility within our church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 5:44
Jesus teaches to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you, which aligns with Paul's instruction to bless when vilified.

Acts 18:3
Paul worked as a tentmaker, demonstrating his commitment to manual labor and self-sufficiency in ministry.

2 Corinthians 12:10
Paul speaks about delighting in weaknesses and hardships, showing his consistent attitude of enduring persecution.

1 Peter 2:23
Peter describes Jesus' response to suffering, which mirrors Paul's teaching on enduring persecution and blessing others.
Against Self ConceitH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 4:6-13
Suffering for Others a Proof of Interest in Their WelfareR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 4:8-12
A Spectacle to AngelsC. Wadsworth.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
A Vivid ContrastC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 4:8-13
A Wonderful SpectacleWeekly Pulpit1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Apostolic IronyJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Apostolic Treatment of VanityD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Before the FootlightsW. Birch.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Humanity Watched by AngelsD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
Man an Object of Angelic ObservationD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
The Difference Between the Counterfeit and the Real ChristianJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
The State of the Corinthians Contrasted with that of the ApostlesJ. H. Tasson.1 Corinthians 4:8-13
A Honourable OccupationT. L. Cuyler.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
Apostolic MeeknessJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
Honest LabourJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
Mammal Labour Gentlemanly1 Corinthians 4:10-14
Paul and the Corinthians: a ContrastProf. Godet.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
Paul's Treatment of Self Conceited TeachersD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
The Folly of PaulProf. Beet.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
The Triumph of the True ChristianJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
True ReligionJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 4:10-14
The Best and Most Useful Often the Most AfflictedE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 4:11-13
People
Apollos, Christians, Corinthians, Paul, Timotheus, Timothy
Places
Corinth
Topics
Bear, Bless, Blessings, Curse, Cursed, Curses, Endure, Hands, Hardest, Homes, Labor, Labour, None, Patiently, Persecuted, Punishment, Quietly, Railed, Reviled, Suffer, Toil, Undergo, Wearily, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 4:12

     5833   diligence
     7028   church, life of
     7726   evangelists, ministry
     8301   love, and enemies
     8418   endurance
     8797   persecution, attitudes

1 Corinthians 4:7-14

     5356   irony

1 Corinthians 4:9-13

     5398   loss

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

     5569   suffering, hardship

1 Corinthians 4:12-13

     5827   curse
     8339   self-control

Library
March 29 Evening
Riches are not forever; and doth the crown endure to every generation?--PROV. 27:24. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.--Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.--Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

The Seventh Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.
I have more than once had occasion to refer to this chapter, and have read some portions of it and made remarks. But I have not been able to go into a consideration of it so fully as I wished, and therefore thought I would make it the subject of a separate lecture. In giving my views I shall pursue the following order: I. Mention the different opinions that have prevailed in the church concerning this passage. II. Show the importance of understanding this portion of scripture aright, or of knowing
Charles G. Finney—Lectures to Professing Christians

June the Twenty-Eighth the Waiting Light
2 CORINTHIANS iv. 1-6. I can shut out the sweet light of the morning. I can refuse to open the shutters and draw up the blinds. And I can shut out the Light of life. I can draw the thick blinds of prejudice, and close the impenetrable shutters of sin. And the Light of the world cannot get into my soul. And I can let in the waiting light of the morning, and flood my room with its glory. And the Light is "a gracious, willing guest." No fuss is needed, no shouting is required. Open thy casement, and
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
Ephes. ii. 1, 2. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. AMONG all the various trusts which men can repose in each other, hardly any appears to be more solemn and tremendous, than the direction of their sacred time, and especially of those hours which they spend in the exercise of public devotion.
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Three Tribunals
'But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord.'--1 COR. iv. 3, 4. The Church at Corinth was honeycombed by the characteristic Greek vice of party spirit. The three great teachers, Paul, Peter, Apollos, were pitted against each other, and each was unduly exalted by those who swore by him, and unduly depreciated by the other
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Inner and the Outer Revelation.
THERE are many who believe that a loose indefinite infidelity has rarely, if ever, been more prevalent in our country than at this time, especially among young men. I am not prepared to say it is an honest infidelity, yet it may very probably be real. Young men may really doubt the inspiration of the Christian Scriptures, not because they have honestly studied those Scriptures and their numerous evidences, but because they have read them little and reasoned legitimately yet less. Especially have
Charles G. Finney—Sermons on Gospel Themes

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
"--Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both wilt bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall everyman have praise of God." St. Paul having professed himself a minister of Christ, and steward of the mysteries of God, acknowledged the obligations of fidelity, and disclaimed anxious concern respecting the opinion entertained of him by his fellow men, because the Lord was his judge, here adds a caution, reprehensive
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Human Characters Determined Only by Divine Decision.
"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment; yea I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself, yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." Corinth was one of the principal cities of Greece. Enjoying every advantage of situation, it became rich and populous. Most cities in similar circumstances have become vicious. This became exceedingly so. The religion of Corinth was paganism, which naturally led to sundry vices.
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Distinguishing Grace
We shall now for a moment or two endeavor to put down our pride by observing wherein God hath distinguished us and made us to differ, and then by noticing that all this cometh of him, and should be a reason for humiliation, and not for boasting. 1. Many of us differ from others in God's providential dealings towards us. Let us think a moment how many there are of God's precious and dearly beloved children, who at this moment are in the depths of poverty. They are not walking about in sheepskins and
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Against Vain and Worldly Knowledge
"My Son, let not the fair and subtle sayings of men move thee. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1) Give ear to My words, for they kindle the heart and enlighten the mind, they bring contrition, and they supply manifold consolations. Never read thou the word that thou mayest appear more learned or wise; but study for the mortification of thy sins, for this will be far more profitable for thee than the knowledge of many difficult questions. 2. "When thou hast read and learned many
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of Matrimony.
It is not only without any warrant of Scripture that matrimony is considered a sacrament, but it has been turned into a mere mockery by the very same traditions which vaunt it as a sacrament. Let us look a little into this. I have said that in every sacrament there is contained a word of divine promise, which must be believed in by him who receives the sign; and that the sign alone cannot constitute a sacrament. Now we nowhere read that he who marries a wife will receive any grace from God; neither
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Of Orders.
Of this sacrament the Church of Christ knows nothing; it was invented by the church of the Pope. It not only has no promise of grace, anywhere declared, but not a word is said about it in the whole of the New Testament. Now it is ridiculous to set up as a sacrament of God that which can nowhere be proved to have been instituted by God. Not that I consider that a rite practised for so many ages is to be condemned; but I would not have human inventions established in sacred things, nor should it be
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Letter I (Circa 1120) to the Canons Regular of Horricourt
To the Canons Regular of Horricourt [1] Their praises inspire him with more fear than satisfaction. They ought not to put any obstacle in the way of the religious profession of certain regular canons of S. Augustine, whom he has received at Clairvaux. To the Superior of the holy body of clerics and servants of God who are in the place which is called Horricourt, and to their disciples: the little flock of the brothers of Clairvaux, and their very humble servant, Brother Bernard, wish health, and
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Regeneration.
In the examination of this subject I will-- I. Point out the common distinction between regeneration and conversion. 1. Regeneration is the term used by some theologians to express the divine agency in changing the heart. With them regeneration does not include and imply the activity of the subject, but rather excludes it. These theologians, as will be seen in its place, hold that a change of heart is first effected by the Holy Spirit while the subject is passive, which change lays a foundation for
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Fundamental Oneness of the Dispensations.
Hebrews iii. i-iv. 13 (R.V.). "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High-priest of our confession, even Jesus; who was faithful to Him that appointed Him as also was Moses in all his house. For He hath been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by so much as he that built the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some one; but He that built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all his house as a servant,
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Preacher as an Apostle.
Gentlemen, in the two last lectures we have investigated two of the principal sources--perhaps I might say the two principal sources--of a minister's power--his manhood and his Christianity. These may be called the two natural springs out of which work for men and God proceeds. Out of these it comes as a direct necessity of nature. If anyone is much of a man--if there be in him much fire and force, much energy of conviction--it will be impossible for him to pass through so great an experience as
James Stalker—The Preacher and His Models

Elucidations.
I. (Who first propounded these heresies, p. 11.) Hippolytus seems to me to have felt the perils to the pure Gospel of many admissions made by Clement and other Alexandrian doctors as to the merits of some of the philosophers of the Gentiles. Very gently, but with prescient genius, he adopts this plan of tracing the origin and all the force of heresies to "philosophy falsely so called." The existence of this "cloud of locusts" is (1) evidence of the antagonism of Satan; (2) of the prophetic spirit
Hippolytus.—The Refutation of All Heresies

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
Text: 1 John 3, 13-18. 13 Marvel not, brethren, if the world hateth you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby know we love, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Against Vain Judgments of Men
"My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it Produces in Men's Apprehensions.
2 COR. v. 17. 2 COR. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. THE knowledge of our true state in religion, is at once a matter of so great importance, and so great difficulty that, in order to obtain it, it is necessary we should have line upon line and precept upon precept. The plain discourse, which you before heard, was intended to lead you into it; and I question not but I then said enough to convince many, that they were
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Paul a Pattern of Prayer
"Go and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth."--ACTS ix. 11. "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."--1 TIM. i. 16. God took His own Son, and made Him our Example and our Pattern. It sometimes is as if the power of Christ's example is lost in the thought that He, in whom is no sin, is not man as we are. Our Lord took Paul, a man
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

How to Preach the Gospel.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. ONE of the last remarks in my last lecture, was this, that the text ascribes conversion to men. Winning souls is converting men. This evening I design to show, I. That several passages of Scripture ascribe conversion to men. II. That this is consistent with other passages which ascribe conversion to God. III. I purpose to discuss several further particulars which are deemed important, in regard to the preaching of the Gospel, and which show
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

A Burning and Shining Lamp.
(JOHN V. 35.) "Men as men Can reach no higher than the Son of God, The Perfect Head and Pattern of Mankind. The time is short, and thus sufficeth us To live and die by; and in Him again We see the same first starry attribute, 'Perfect through suffering,' our salvation's seal, Set in the front of His humanity...." MRS. HAMILTON KING. The Rest-Day--The Light of Life--Shining, because Burning--"Let your Light Shine"--A Light in the Darkness Our Master, Christ, was on his trial. He was challenged
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

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