Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:12
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church to defend his apostolic conduct by cataloging his current physical deprivation and hostile reception. He frames his present suffering as evidence of genuine ministry rather than a mark of divine abandonment.
The words — κοπιῶμεν (kopiōmen) literally means "we toil," and εὐλογοῦμεν (eulogoumen) means "we bless." The verse states that Paul’s team responds to reviling and persecution with continued manual labor and spoken blessing rather than retaliation.
The thread — The directive to bless those who persecute you appears in Romans 12:14 and 1 Peter 3:9, while Matthew 5:11 pronounces a blessing on those who are insulted and falsely accused. These passages track a consistent biblical pattern that separates the victim’s response from the persecutor’s guilt.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to endure physical want and verbal abuse without demanding reciprocal justice or abandoning their work. It asks for a practical posture of endurance and spoken blessing that reflects the character of the one being followed.
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
King James Version
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
- Acts 18:3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
- Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
- 1 Peter 2:23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.