1 Corinthians 4:11-13

Paul proceeded to detail the dishonor that befalls those who bear the message of the cross. The Greeks despised people who did manual labor, as Paul had done in Corinth (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:4-18; Acts 18:3; Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 11:9; 2 Corinthians 12:13-17); they regarded it as the work of slaves. [Note: Morris, p. 81.] To the world it is foolish to bless those who curse us, but that is what Paul did following the teaching and example of Jesus (cf. Luke 6:28; Luke 23:34). All of these descriptions of the apostles emphasize the depths to which they were willing to stoop to proclaim the gospel (cf. Philippians 2). They did so even though people who viewed things naturally called them fools.

In this section (1 Corinthians 4:6-13) Paul contrasted the viewpoint of the Corinthians with that of the apostles. The viewpoint of the Corinthians was virtually identical to that of natural, unsaved people. The viewpoint of the apostles, whom his readers professed to venerate and follow, was quite different. Not only were the Corinthians unwise, but they were also proud.