Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 4:12

What does 1 Corinthians 4:12 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 4:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 4:12 means

Paul adds that the apostles labor, working with their own hands. In a culture that prized status and despised manual labor, this underlined their humility and integrity. When reviled, they bless; when persecuted, they endure. Their responses echo the Lord’s teaching to bless enemies and bear up under suffering. This shows that their ministry is not only about message but also about manner—embodying the gospel’s grace under pressure. Their endurance is not passive resignation but active obedience, returning good for evil and refusing to retaliate, trusting God to vindicate in His time and to use weakness to display His strength.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and labour, working with <FI>our<Fi> own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And we labour, working with our own hands. We are reviled: and we bless. We are persecuted: and we suffer it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it];

Context

Continuing the hardship list from verse 11, verse 12 emphasizes both the apostles’ toil and their Christlike responses to hostility. It demonstrates that authentic ministry includes both sacrificial work and gracious endurance. The flow heads toward verse 13, which will climax the portrait with language of being treated as refuse while still speaking appealingly. This progression is designed to humble Corinthian pride and reshape their understanding of true spiritual authority.

v.11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

v.12This passage

v.13being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 12:20

    But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

  • Acts 7:60

    And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

  • Luke 6:28

    bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.

  • Matthew 5:44

    but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

  • Jude 1:9

    But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  • 1 Peter 4:19

    Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

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 4:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary