Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! New Living Translation Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed. English Standard Version We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. Berean Standard Bible We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. Berean Literal Bible We are fools on account of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; You are honored, but we are without honor. King James Bible 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. New King James Version We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! New American Standard Bible We are fools on account of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are without honor! NASB 1995 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. NASB 1977 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. Legacy Standard Bible We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are glorious, but we are without honor! Amplified Bible We are [regarded as] fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are highly esteemed, but we are dishonored. Christian Standard Bible We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! Holman Christian Standard Bible We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! American Standard Version We 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. Contemporary English Version Because of Christ we are thought of as fools, but Christ has made you wise. We are weak and hated, but you are powerful and respected. English Revised Version We 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 dishonour. GOD'S WORD® Translation We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. Good News Translation For Christ's sake we are fools; but you are wise in union with Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! We are despised, but you are honored! International Standard Version We are fools for the Messiah's sake, but you are wise in the Messiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. Majority Standard Bible We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. NET Bible We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! New Heart English Bible We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. Webster's Bible Translation We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Weymouth New Testament We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts. World English Bible We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwe [are] fools because of Christ, and you wise in Christ; we [are] ailing, and you strong; you glorious, and we dishonored; Berean Literal Bible We are fools on account of Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; You are honored, but we are without honor. Young's Literal Translation we are fools because of Christ, and ye wise in Christ; we are ailing, and ye strong; ye glorious, and we dishonoured; Smith's Literal Translation We foolish for Christ, and ye wise in Christ; we weak, and ye strong; ye honourable, and we dishonoured. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWe are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we without honour. Catholic Public Domain Version So we are fools because of Christ, but you are discerning in Christ? We are weak, but you are strong? You are noble, but we are ignoble? New American Bible We are fools on Christ’s account, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are held in honor, but we in disrepute. New Revised Standard Version We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWe are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are praised, but we are despised. Aramaic Bible in Plain English We are insane because of The Messiah, but you are sensible in The Messiah. We are weak and you are mighty; you are praised and we are despised. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentWe are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honored, but we are despised. Godbey New Testament We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are glorious, but we are dishonorable. Haweis New Testament We are counted fools for Christ?s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are mighty; ye are honourable persons, but we despised. Mace New Testament we are made fools for our attachment to Christ, while you, who are christians too, still pass for the wise: we are in poverty, but you are in power: you meet with esteem, but we find contempt. Weymouth New Testament We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish"; you, as Christians, are men of shrewd intelligence. We are mere weaklings: you are strong. You are in high repute: we are outcasts. Worrell New Testament We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are highly esteemed; but we are without honor. Worsley New Testament We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong: ye are honoured, but we are despised. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Fools for Christ…9For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. 10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.… Cross References 2 Corinthians 11:19-21 For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise. / In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face. / To my shame I concede that we were too weak for that! Speaking as a fool, however, I can match what anyone else dares to boast about. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 But 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. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. / I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. Acts 17:18 Some 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 Corinthians 13:9 In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection. 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 through glory and dishonor, slander and praise; viewed as imposters, yet genuine; / unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; / sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Philippians 3:7-8 But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. / More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. / If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which accomplishes in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we experience. / And our hope for you is sure, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30 Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. ... Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Romans 8:36 As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Isaiah 53:3 He 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. Treasury of Scripture We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised. are fools. 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 1 Corinthians 1:18-20,26-28 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God… 1 Corinthians 2:3,14 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling… for. Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 10:22-25 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved… Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. are wise. 1 Corinthians 4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 1 Corinthians 10:14,15 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry… Jeremiah 8:8,9 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain… we are weak. 1 Corinthians 2:3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 2 Corinthians 10:10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? but ye. 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. but we. Jump to Previous Ailing Christ Christians Christ's Despised Dishonor Dishonour Dishonoured Disrepute Distinguished Feeble Foolish Fools Glorious Held High Honor Honorable Honored Honourable Intelligence Mere Outcasts Prudent Repute Sake Shame Shrewd Strong Weak WiseJump to Next Ailing Christ Christians Christ's Despised Dishonor Dishonour Dishonoured Disrepute Distinguished Feeble Foolish Fools Glorious Held High Honor Honorable Honored Honourable Intelligence Mere Outcasts Prudent Repute Sake Shame Shrewd Strong Weak Wise1 Corinthians 4 1. In what account the apostles ought to be regarded.7. We have nothing which we have not received. 9. The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men; 13. the filth and offscouring of the world; 15. yet our fathers in Christ; 16. whom we ought to follow. We are fools for Christ Paul uses irony to contrast the apostles' perceived foolishness with the Corinthians' self-perceived wisdom. In the Greco-Roman world, wisdom was highly valued, and the message of the cross was seen as foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18). Paul embraces this "foolishness" as a badge of honor, aligning with Christ's teachings that often subvert worldly wisdom (Matthew 5:3-12). The apostles' willingness to be seen as fools reflects their commitment to the Gospel, echoing Jesus' own rejection by the world (John 15:18-19). but you are wise in Christ We are weak but you are strong You are honored but we are dishonored Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth. He contrasts his own experiences and those of the apostles with the Corinthians' self-perception. 2. Corinthian Church The recipients of the letter, known for their spiritual gifts but also for their divisions and pride. 3. Apostles The early Christian leaders, including Paul, who spread the gospel and often faced persecution and hardship. Teaching Points Embrace the Paradox of the GospelThe Christian life often involves paradoxes, such as being "fools for Christ." Embrace the counter-cultural nature of following Jesus, understanding that true wisdom and strength come from Him. Humility in Service Recognize that true honor in God's kingdom often looks like dishonor in the world's eyes. Serve with humility, knowing that God's approval is what ultimately matters. Strength in Weakness Acknowledge your weaknesses and rely on Christ's strength. In doing so, you demonstrate the power of God working through you. Value of Suffering for Christ Understand that suffering and dishonor for the sake of Christ are part of the Christian journey. They are opportunities to grow closer to Him and to witness to others. Unity in the Body of Christ Avoid divisions and pride within the church. Recognize that all believers are called to different roles and experiences, but all are valuable in God's eyes.(10) We are fools.--This verse is charged with irony. Our connection with Christ, as His Apostles and preachers, may make us fools; you are, on the contrary, "wise Christians; we are weak Christians, ye strong; ye are glorified, made leaders of factions and churches, we are despised."Verse 10. - We are fools for Christ's sake. The irony is softened by the intervening sentences, and as regards the apostles there is no irony. St. Paul was called "a seed pecker" (spermologos) by the Epicureans and Stoics at Athens, and Festus in full court called him "mad." Ye are wise in Christ. He could not say as before, "for Christ's sake;" for even though he is using the language of irony, "the pseudo wisdom of the Corinthians had other motives." We are weak. The consciousness of physical and personal weakness weighed heavily on the mind of St. Paul in moments of depression (2 Corinthians 10:10; 2 Corinthians 13:4). Ye are honourable, but we are despised; literally, ye are glorious, but we are dishonoured. The word "dishonoured" also means "disfranchised." Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WeἩμεῖς (Hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [are] fools μωροὶ (mōroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3474: Probably from the base of musterion; dull or stupid, i.e. Heedless, blockhead, absurd. for διὰ (dia) Preposition Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. Christ, Χριστόν (Christon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [are] wise φρόνιμοι (phronimoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5429: Intelligent, prudent, sensible, wise. From phren; thoughtful, i.e. Sagacious or discreet; in a bad sense conceited. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Christ. Χριστῷ (Christō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. We ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [are] weak, ἀσθενεῖς (astheneis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 772: (lit: not strong), (a) weak (physically, or morally), (b) infirm, sick. Strengthless. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [are] strong. ἰσχυροί (ischyroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2478: Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible. You ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. [are] honored, ἔνδοξοι (endoxoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1741: Highly esteemed, splendid, glorious. From en and doxa; in glory, i.e. Splendid, noble. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. we ἡμεῖς (hēmeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [are] dishonored. ἄτιμοι (atimoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 820: Without honor, despised. (negatively) unhonoured or (positively) dishonoured. Links 1 Corinthians 4:10 NIV1 Corinthians 4:10 NLT 1 Corinthians 4:10 ESV 1 Corinthians 4:10 NASB 1 Corinthians 4:10 KJV 1 Corinthians 4:10 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 4:10 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 4:10 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 4:10 French Bible 1 Corinthians 4:10 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
    |