1 Corinthians 4:10 “We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but…”

1 Corinthians 4:10

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 Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

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.

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

We are fooles for Christes sake, and ye are wise in Christ: we are weake, and ye are strong: ye are honourable, and we are despised.

Darby Translation

We [are] fools for Christ's sake, but ye prudent in Christ: we weak, but ye strong: ye glorious, but we in dishonour.

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;

Bible in Basic English

We are made to seem foolish for Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are feeble, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have shame.

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Cross references

“are fools”

1 Corinthians 2:3 1 Corinthians 3:18 Acts 17:18 Acts 26:24 Hosea 9:7 2 Kings 9:11

1 Corinthians 2:3 · BSB

I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

1 Corinthians 3:18 · BSB

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise.

Acts 17:18 · BSB

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 procla…

Acts 26:24 · BSB

At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”

Hosea 9:7 · BSB

The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.

2 Kings 9:11 · BSB

When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.

“for”

1 Peter 4:14 Luke 6:22 Matthew 5:11 Matthew 10:22–25 Matthew 24:9 Acts 9:16

1 Peter 4:14 · BSB

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Luke 6:22 · BSB

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

Matthew 5:11 · BSB

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Matthew 10:22–25 · BSB

You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Matthew 24:9 · BSB

Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

Acts 9:16 · BSB

I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

“are wise”

1 Corinthians 4:8 1 Corinthians 10:14 1 Corinthians 10:15 Jeremiah 8:8 Jeremiah 8:9

1 Corinthians 4:8 · BSB

Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

1 Corinthians 10:14 · BSB

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Corinthians 10:15 · BSB

I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.

Jeremiah 8:8 · BSB

How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the Law of the LORD is with us,’ when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has produced a deception?

Jeremiah 8:9 · BSB

The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

“we are weak”

2 Corinthians 13:9 2 Corinthians 10:10 2 Corinthians 11:29 2 Corinthians 12:9 2 Corinthians 12:10 2 Corinthians 13:3

2 Corinthians 13:9 · BSB

In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

2 Corinthians 10:10 · BSB

For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is unimpressive, and his speaking is of no account.”

2 Corinthians 11:29 · BSB

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with grief?

2 Corinthians 12:9 · BSB

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.

2 Corinthians 12:10 · BSB

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.

2 Corinthians 13:3 · BSB

since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful among you.

“but ye”

1 Corinthians 3:2 1 Corinthians 10:12

1 Corinthians 3:2 · BSB

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,

1 Corinthians 10:12 · BSB

So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

“but we”

Proverbs 11:12 Isaiah 53:3 Luke 18:9 Luke 10:16 1 Thessalonians 4:8

Proverbs 11:12 · BSB

Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Isaiah 53:3 · BSB

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.

Luke 18:9 · BSB

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable:

Luke 10:16 · BSB

Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

1 Thessalonians 4:8 · BSB

Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.

Also

2 Corinthians 11:19

2 Corinthians 11:19 · BSB

For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

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.

11To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Read 1 Corinthians 4