Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:13
when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to correct their pride and align their view of apostolic ministry with Christ's suffering. He addresses them during a moment of tension where the community judges him by worldly standards of honor and success.
The words — The Greek term δυσφημοῦμενοι (dusphēmoumenoi) literally means "being defamed," while περικαθάρματα (perikatharmata) denotes "scum" or "offal" scraped from a vessel. Paul uses these terms to describe the apostles' physical and social state when vilified.
The thread — This imagery of becoming refuse echoes Lamentations 3:45, where Yahweh makes Israel "scum and refuse among the nations." The motif of apostolic suffering also surfaces in Acts 22:22, where Paul's testimony triggers a violent crowd reaction.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that apostolic authority operates through endurance rather than defense. Readers must accept that faithful witness may result in social degradation without compromising a calm response to slander.
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
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Cross-references
- Lamentations 3:45 You have made us scum and refuse among the nations.
- Acts 22:22 The crowd listened to Paul until he made this statement. Then they lifted up their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He is not fit to live!”