1 Corinthians 4:10

With biting irony Paul contrasts the apostles' weakness and dishonor with the Corinthians' self-assured wisdom and strength. It matters because gospel power is shown in the way of the cross, not in worldly status.

Cross-references · 33

• 1 Cor 2:3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
• 1 Cor 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.
• Acts 17:18Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
• 2 Cor 13:9In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.
• Acts 26:24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
• 1 Pet 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
• 2 Cor 11:19For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.
• Prov 11:12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
• Hos 9:7The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.
• Isa 53:3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
• 2 Cor 13:3–4since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
• Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
• 2 Kgs 9:11When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.
• Jer 8:8–9How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception?
• Luke 18:9To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:
• 1 Cor 1:1–3Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
• 2 Cor 10:10For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”
• Matt 5:11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
• Matt 24:9Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
• 1 Cor 3:2I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
• 1 Cor 10:12So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
• 1 Cor 2:14The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
• Acts 9:16I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”
• Matt 10:22–25You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
• 1 Cor 4:8Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
• 1 Cor 10:14–15Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
• 1 Th 4:8Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.
• 2 Cor 12:9–10But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
• 1 Cor 1:26–28Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.
• Luke 10:16Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
• Acts 17:32When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
• 1 Cor 1:18–20For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
• 2 Cor 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?

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