1 Corinthians 4:9-13

The Ministry of Apostles

⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, _w like men sentenced to death, because we _x have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. ¹⁰ _y We are fools for Christ's sake, but _z you are wise in Christ. _a We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹ To the present hour _b we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and _c buffeted and _d homeless, ¹² and we _e labor, working with our own hands. _f When reviled, we bless; _g when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. _h We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, _i the refuse of all things.

1. Cross References
   Romans 8:36
   As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
   
2. Cross References
   Hebrews 10:33
   Sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
   Isaiah 20:3
   Then the Lord said, "As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush.
   
3. Cross References
   Acts 17:18
   Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities" - because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
   1 Corinthians 1:18
   For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
   Acts 26:24
   And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.
   
4. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:19
   For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!
   
5. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 2:3
   And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling.
   2 Corinthians 13:9
   For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
   
6. Cross References
   Romans 8:35
   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?
   2 Corinthians 11:27
   In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
   Philippians 4:12
   I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
   
7. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:20
   For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face.
   2 Corinthians 11:23
   Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one - I am talking like a madman - with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
   
8. Cross References
   Matthew 8:20
   And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
   
9. Cross References
   Acts 18:3
   And because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
   
10. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
    
11. Cross References
    John 15:20
    Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.
    
12. Cross References
    Isaiah 30:22
    Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, "Be gone!
    Isaiah 64:6
    We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
    
13. Cross References
    Lamentations 3:45
    You have made us scum and garbage among the peoples.