1 Corinthians 4:12

Authorized King James Version

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And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 10
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κοπιῶμεν labour G2872
κοπιῶμεν labour
Strong's: G2872
Word #: 2 of 10
to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard
ἐργαζόμενοι working G2038
ἐργαζόμενοι working
Strong's: G2038
Word #: 3 of 10
to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc
ταῖς G3588
ταῖς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίαις with our own G2398
ἰδίαις with our own
Strong's: G2398
Word #: 5 of 10
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
χερσίν· hands G5495
χερσίν· hands
Strong's: G5495
Word #: 6 of 10
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
λοιδορούμενοι being reviled G3058
λοιδορούμενοι being reviled
Strong's: G3058
Word #: 7 of 10
to reproach, i.e., vilify
εὐλογοῦμεν we bless G2127
εὐλογοῦμεν we bless
Strong's: G2127
Word #: 8 of 10
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
διωκόμενοι being persecuted G1377
διωκόμενοι being persecuted
Strong's: G1377
Word #: 9 of 10
compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute
ἀνεχόμεθα we suffer it G430
ἀνεχόμεθα we suffer it
Strong's: G430
Word #: 10 of 10
to hold oneself up against, i.e., (figuratively) put up with

Analysis & Commentary

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it. The verb kopiōmen (κοπιῶμεν, "we labor to exhaustion") emphasizes strenuous toil. Ergazomenoi tais idiais chersin (ἐργαζόμενοι ταῖς ἰδίαις χερσίν, "working with our own hands") was countercultural—manual labor was considered servile, beneath philosophers and teachers. Paul's tentmaking financed his ministry and modeled self-sufficiency.

Three participial clauses follow: loidoroumenoi eulogoumen (λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν, "being reviled, we bless"), diōkomenoi anechometha (διωκόμενοι ἀνεχόμεθα, "being persecuted, we endure")—this is Christ's Sermon on the Mount ethic in practice (Matt 5:10-12, 44; Luke 6:27-28). Rather than retaliating against abuse, Paul blesses his persecutors. Anechometha ("we endure") could also mean "we bear it patiently" or "we hold ourselves back" from retaliation. This radical non-retaliation distinguishes Christian suffering from mere stoic resignation—it actively returns good for evil.

Historical Context

In honor-shame cultures, responding to insult with blessing was shameful weakness, not virtue. Romans expected violent retaliation or legal recourse for dishonor. Paul's conduct fulfills Jesus's new covenant ethic, turning Roman values upside-down. His manual labor also defied expectations—rabbis often worked trades (Jesus was a carpenter), but Greek philosophers considered manual labor degrading. Paul's self-support prevented accusations of greed and demonstrated love for his converts (1 Thess 2:9; 2 Thess 3:7-9).

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