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 was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
• 1 Cor 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.
• Acts 17:18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
• 2 Cor 13:9For we rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. And this we also pray for, even your perfecting.
• Acts 26:24As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
• 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. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
• 2 Cor 11:19For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.
• Prov 11:12One who despises his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace.
• Hos 9:7The days of visitation have come. The days of reckoning have come. Israel will consider the prophet to be a fool, and the man who is inspired to be insane, because of the abundance of your sins, and because your hostility is great.
• Isa 53:3He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease. He was despised as one from whom men hide their face; and we didn’t respect him.
• 2 Cor 13:3–4seeing that you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me; who toward you is not weak, but is powerful in you.
• Luke 6:22Blessed are you when men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.
• 2 Kgs 9:11When Jehu came out to the servants of his lord, and one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” He said to them, “You know the man and how he talks.”
• Jer 8:8–9“‘How do you say, “We are wise, and Yahweh’s law is with us?” But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely.
• Luke 18:9He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
• 1 Cor 1:1–3Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
• 2 Cor 10:10For, “His letters”, they say, “are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is despised.”
• Matt 5:11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
• Matt 24:9Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake.
• 1 Cor 3:2I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,
• 1 Cor 10:12Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.
• 1 Cor 2:14Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
• Acts 9:16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
• Matt 10:22–25You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
• 1 Cor 4:8You are already filled. You have already become rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
• 1 Cor 10:14–15Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
• 1 Th 4:8Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
• 2 Cor 12:9–10He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
• 1 Cor 1:26–28For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
• Luke 10:16Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
• Acts 17:32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
• 1 Cor 1:18–20For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
• 2 Cor 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?

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