SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:12
y trabajamos, obrando con nuestras manos; nos maldicen, y bendecimos; padecemos persecucin, y sufrimos;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 4:12
Verse 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. And labour, working with our own hands , etc.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-13 - We have no reason to be proud; all we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and rich grace of God. A sinner snatche from destruction by sovereign grace alone, must be very absurd an inconsistent, if proud of the free gifts of God. St. Paul sets fort his own circumstances, ver. 9 Allusion is made to the cruel spectacle in the Roman games; where men were forced to cut one another to pieces to divert the people; and where the victor did not escape with his life, though he should destroy his adversary, but was only kept for another combat, and must be killed at last. The thought that many eye are upon believers, when struggling with difficulties or temptations should encourage constancy and patience. "We are weak, but ye ar strong." All Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greate hardships than others. The apostle enters into particulars of their sufferings. And how glorious the charity and devotion that carried the through all these hardships! They suffered in their persons an characters as the worst and vilest of men; as the very dirt of the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the offscouring of all things, the dross of all things. And every one who would be faithful in Christ Jesus, must be prepared for poverty and contempt. Whatever the disciples of Christ suffer from men, they must follow the example, an fulfil the will and precepts of their Lord. They must be content, with him and for him, to be despised and abused. It is much better to be rejected, despised, and ill used, as St. Paul was, than to have the good opinion and favour of the world. Though cast off by the world a vile, yet we may be precious to God, gathered up with his own hand, an placed upon his throne.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ κοπιωμεν 2872 5719 V-PAI-1P εργαζομενοι 2038 5740 V-PNP-NPM ταις 3588 T-DPF ιδιαις 2398 A-DPF χερσιν 5495 N-DPF λοιδορουμενοι 3058 5746 V-PPP-NPM ευλογουμεν 2127 5719 V-PAI-1P διωκομενοι 1377 5746 V-PPP-NPM ανεχομεθα 430 5736 V-PNI-1P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
12. Labor (kopiwmen). Rev., toil. Unto weariness. See on Luke v. 5. Reviled (loidoroumenoi). See on Acts xxiii. 4.We bless (eulogoumen). See on blessed, John xii. 13.
We suffer (anecomeqa). Lit., we hold or bear up.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:12 {We toil} (kopiwmen). Common late verb for weariness in toil (#Lu 5:5), {working with our own hands} (ergazomenoi tais idiais cersin) instrumental case cersin and not simply for himself but also for Aquila and Priscilla as he explains in #Ac 20:34. this personal touch gives color to the outline. Paul alludes to this fact often (#1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8; 1Co 9:6; 2Co 11:7). "Greeks despised manual labor; St. Paul glories in it" (Robertson and Plummer). Cf. Deissmann, _Light, etc._, p. 317. {Being reviled we bless} (loidoroumenoi eulogoumen). Almost the language of Peter about Jesus (#1Pe 2:23) in harmony with the words of Jesus in #Mt 5:44; Lu 6:27. {Being persecuted we endure} (diwkomenoi anecomeqa). We hold back and do not retaliate. Turn to Paul's other picture of his experiences in the vivid contrasts in #2Co 4:7-10; 6:3-10 for an interpretation of his language here.
