1 Corinthians 4:12

Contextual Overview

⁷ For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? ⁷ For who separateth thee? and what hast thou, that thou hast not receiued? if thou hast receiued it, why reioycest thou, as though thou haddest not receiued it? ⁷For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it? ⁷ For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn't receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? ⁷ For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving? ⁷ Who do you think you are? Everything you have was given to you. So, if everything you have was given to you, why do you act as if you got it all by your own power? ⁷For who regards you as superior or what sets you apart as special? What do you have that you did not receive [from another]? And if in fact you received it [from God or someone else], why do you boast as if you had not received it [but had gained it by yourself]? ⁷ For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? ⁷For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? ⁷ What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

labour: 1 Corinthians 9:6, Acts 18:3, Acts 20:34, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 1 Timothy 4:10

being reviled: Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:28, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, Romans 12:14, Romans 12:20, 1 Peter 2:23, 1 Peter 3:9, Jude 1:9

being persecuted: Matthew 5:11, 1 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 4:12-14, 1 Peter 4:19

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:14 - sitting Psalms 89:51 - they have Matthew 26:52 - Put John 9:28 - they 1 Corinthians 9:12 - but 1 Corinthians 9:15 - I have 1 Corinthians 9:27 - I keep 2 Corinthians 6:4 - necessities 2 Corinthians 11:27 - in hunger Ephesians 1:1 - which Philippians 4:11 - in respect 1 Thessalonians 4:11 - to work

Cross-References

Genesis 4:3
And in processe of time it came to passe, that Kain brought an oblation vnto the Lorde of the fruite of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
And in the course of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to the LORD.

Genesis 4:3
As time passed, it happened that Kayin brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground.

Genesis 4:3
At harvest time, Cain brought a gift to the Lord . He brought some of the food that he grew from the ground, but Abel brought some animals from his flock. He chose some of his best sheep and brought the best parts from them. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift.

Genesis 4:3
In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah.

Genesis 4:3
And after a time, Cain gave to the Lord an offering of the fruits of the earth.

Genesis 4:3
One day, Cain gave part of his harvest to the Lord ,

Genesis 4:3
In the course of time Kayin brought an offering to Adonai from the produce of the soil;

Genesis 4:3
And in process of time it came to pass that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering to Jehovah.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And labour, working with our own hands,.... As the apostle did at Corinth, Acts 18:3 and elsewhere; partly to minister to his own necessities, and those of others; and partly that he might not be burdensome to the churches; and also to set an example of diligence and industry to others; though he had a right and power to claim a maintenance of those to whom he ministered.

Being reviled, we bless; as Christ commanded, Matthew 5:44 and the apostle himself directed and exhorted to, Romans 12:14

being persecuted, we suffer it; that is, patiently; neither resisting our persecutors, nor murmuring and repining at our unhappy circumstances; but taking all in good part, as what is the will of God, and will make for his glory.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And labour ... - This Paul often did. See the note at Acts 18:3; compare Acts 20:34; 1Th 2:9. 2 Thessalonians 3:8.

Being reviled - That they were often reviled or reproached, their history everywhere shows. See the Acts of the Apostles. They were reviled or ridiculed as Jews by the Gentiles; and jeered by all as “Nazarenes,” and as deluded followers of Jesus; as the victims of a foolish superstition and enthusiasm.

We bless - We return good for evil. In this they followed the explicit direction of the Saviour; see the note at Matthew 5:44. The main idea in these passages is, that they were reviled, were persecuted, etc. The other clauses, “we bless,” “we suffer it,” etc. seem to be thrown in “by the way” to show how they bore this ill treatment. As if he had said “we are reviled; and what is more, we bear it patiently, and return good for evil.” At the same time, that he was recounting his trials, he was, therefore, incidentally instructing them in the nature of the gospel, and showing how their sufferings were to be borne; and how to illustrate the excellency of the Christian doctrine.

Being persecuted - See the note at Matthew 5:11.

We suffer it - We sustain it; we do not revenge it; we abstain from resenting or resisting it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 4:12. Working with our own hands — They were obliged to labour in order to supply themselves with the necessaries of life while preaching the Gospel to others. This, no doubt, was the case in every place were no Church had been as yet formed: afterwards, the people of God supplied their ministers, according to their power, with food and raiment.

Being reviled, we bless, c.] What a most amiable picture does this exhibit of the power of the grace of Christ! Man is naturally a proud creature, and his pride prompts him always to avenge himself in whatever manner he can, and repay insult with insult. It is only the grace of Christ that can make a man patient in bearing injuries, and render blessing for cursing, beneficence for malevolence, &c. The apostles suffered an indignities for Christ's sake for it was on his account that they were exposed to persecutions, &c.