Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 4:11

What does 1 Corinthians 4:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 4:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 4:11 means

Paul describes the apostles’ present condition: hunger, thirst, inadequate clothing, beatings, and homelessness. This is not a brief episode but an ongoing reality “to this present hour.” Their hardships expose the costliness of ministry and the inconsistency of the Corinthians’ self-satisfied posture. Far from undermining Paul’s authority, these sufferings authenticate it, showing alignment with the crucified Christ. The church’s leaders do not live above the cross but under it. This verse invites sober reflection on the difference between outward success and faithful endurance, and it dignifies those who serve Christ amid scarcity, opposition, and instability.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and wander about,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no fixed abode.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home,

Context

Verse 11 supplies concrete examples to match the contrasts of verse 10. It begins a three-verse catalog (verses 11–13) of deprivations and Christlike responses. The narrative purpose is to deepen the readers’ grasp of apostolic authenticity measured by suffering love. Next, verse 12 will add their labor and gracious responses to reviling and persecution, and verse 13 will conclude with further mistreatment and the apostles’ lowly reputation in the world.

v.10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.

v.11This passage

v.12and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:4

    Have we no right to eat and to drink?

  • Acts 23:2

    And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

  • Matthew 8:20

    And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:4

    but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

  • Philippians 4:12

    I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want.

  • Romans 8:35

    Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 4:11.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary