1 Corinthians 4:10 Meaning and Explanation
“We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →In sharp contrasts Paul sets the apostles' weakness and dishonor against the Corinthians' self-image of wisdom, strength, and honor.
What Does 1 Corinthians 4:10 Mean?
Paul lays three pairs side by side, each one ironic. The apostles are 'fools,' 'weak,' and 'despised' in the world's eyes, while the Corinthians fancy themselves 'wise,' 'strong,' and 'honourable.' The mirror is meant to make them pause.
The point is not that suffering is good in itself but that the gospel inverts the world's scale of value. To be counted a fool 'for Christ's sake' is to share His reproach, and that is no shame but honor of the deepest kind. Paul is gently asking the Corinthians whether their comfort has dulled them to the cruciform shape of following Jesus, the very road that leads to true glory.
1 Corinthians 4:10 in the Original Language
moros (μωρός), 'fools' -- foolish or senseless in others' eyes, the root behind the English 'moron.'
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 4:10
What does 1 Corinthians 4:10 mean?
In sharp contrasts Paul sets the apostles' weakness and dishonor against the Corinthians' self-image of wisdom, strength, and honor.