Bible Strands

1 Corinthians 4:11

To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation, contrasting his ongoing apostolic hardship with their perceived spiritual superiority. He speaks during a letter written to correct their factionalism and misplaced pride in worldly wisdom.

The words — The phrase ἄχρι τῆς ἄρτι ὥρας (achri tēs arti hōras) literally renders "until the present hour," marking unbroken duration. The verbs πεινῶμεν (peinōmen) and διψῶμεν (dipsōmen) translate directly as "we hunger" and "we thirst," stating continuous physical deprivation rather than temporary need.

The thread — This catalog of deprivation recurs in Paul’s trial lists (2 Corinthians 11:23) and mirrors the rhetorical inventory in Romans 8:35 regarding trouble, persecution, and nakedness. It also aligns with Philippians 4:12, where Paul notes learning to endure both abundance and want.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that gospel ministry entails sustained physical lack rather than social advancement. It demands a recalibration of spiritual authority, measuring it by endurance and faithfulness instead of comfort or prestige.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἄχριachriAs far asτῆςtēstheἄρτιartipresentὥραςhōrashourκαὶkaibothπεινῶμενpeinōmenwe hungerκαὶkaiandδιψῶμενdipsōmenthirstκαὶkaiandγυμνιτεύομενgumniteuomenare poorly cladκαὶkaiandκολαφιζόμεθαkolaphizomethaare buffetedκαὶkaiandἀστατοῦμενastatoumenwander homeless

King James Version

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

Cross-references