1 Corinthians 4:12
New International Version
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

New Living Translation
We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.

English Standard Version
and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

Berean Standard Bible
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

Berean Literal Bible
and we toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

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

New King James Version
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

New American Standard Bible
and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are verbally abused, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

NASB 1995
and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

NASB 1977
and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

Legacy Standard Bible
and we labor, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

Amplified Bible
We work [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When we are reviled and verbally abused, we bless. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure.

Christian Standard Bible
we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

American Standard Version
and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Contemporary English Version
We work hard with our own hands, and when people abuse us, we wish them well. When we suffer, we are patient.

English Revised Version
and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it.

Good News Translation
we wear ourselves out with hard work. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

International Standard Version
We wear ourselves out from working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless. When persecuted, we endure.

Majority Standard Bible
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

NET Bible
We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

New Heart English Bible
We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.

Webster's Bible Translation
And labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

Weymouth New Testament
Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it patiently;

World English Bible
We toil, working with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless. Being persecuted, we endure.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and labor, working with [our] own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Berean Literal Bible
and we toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Young's Literal Translation
and labour, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer;

Smith's Literal Translation
And we are wearied, working with our own hands: being reviled, we praise; being driven out, we hold up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And we labour, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and we bless; we are persecuted, and we suffer it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And we labor, working with our own hands. We are slandered, and so we bless. We suffer and endure persecution.

New American Bible
and we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

New Revised Standard Version
and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And labor, working with our own hands: being cursed we bless, being persecuted, we endure it;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And we toil as we labor with our hands. They dishonor us and we bless; they persecute us and we endure.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

Godbey New Testament
and we toil working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure it;

Haweis New Testament
and work hard, labouring with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it;

Mace New Testament
we are fatigu'd by our manual toil: when reviled, we pray: when persecuted, we don't repine:

Weymouth New Testament
Homes we have none. Wearily we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we bear it patiently;

Worrell New Testament
and we toil, laboring with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Worsley New Testament
and we labour working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless: when persecuted, we bear it: when defamed, we intreat.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Fools for Christ
11To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.…

Cross References
Acts 18:3
and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.

1 Thessalonians 2:9
Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

2 Thessalonians 3:8
nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

Acts 20:34
You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.

Ephesians 4:28
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Philippians 4:12
I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.

2 Corinthians 11:27
in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure.

2 Corinthians 6:5
in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;

2 Corinthians 12:15
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 2:23
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.

Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Proverbs 14:23
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.


Treasury of Scripture

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

labour.

1 Corinthians 9:6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Acts 18:3
And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 20:34
Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

being reviled.

Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:28
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

being persecuted.

Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

1 Peter 3:14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1 Peter 4:12-14,19
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: …

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1 Corinthians 4
1. In what account the apostles ought to be regarded.
7. We have nothing which we have not received.
9. The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;
13. the filth and offscouring of the world;
15. yet our fathers in Christ;
16. whom we ought to follow.














We work hard with our own hands
The phrase "work hard" comes from the Greek word "kopiao," which means to labor to the point of exhaustion. This reflects the apostle Paul's dedication to his ministry and his willingness to support himself through manual labor, such as tent-making, to avoid being a financial burden to the church (Acts 18:3). The emphasis on "our own hands" underscores the dignity of labor and the importance of self-sufficiency. In a historical context, manual labor was often looked down upon in Greco-Roman society, yet Paul elevates it as a means of serving God and others. This serves as an inspirational reminder that all work, when done for the glory of God, is honorable and valuable.

When we are vilified, we bless
The term "vilified" translates from the Greek "loidoreo," meaning to revile or speak abusively. Paul and his companions faced harsh criticism and slander from both Jews and Gentiles. Despite this, they chose to "bless" (Greek: "eulogeo"), which means to speak well of or to invoke divine favor upon others. This reflects Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44, where believers are called to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. The historical context of early Christians facing persecution highlights the radical nature of this response, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel to enable believers to respond with grace and love.

when we are persecuted, we endure it
"Persecuted" comes from the Greek "dioko," which means to pursue with the intent to harm. The early church faced significant persecution, from social ostracism to physical violence. Paul's use of "endure" (Greek: "anechomai") indicates a steadfastness and patience in the face of suffering. This endurance is not passive resignation but an active, faithful perseverance rooted in hope and trust in God's ultimate justice and deliverance. Historically, the endurance of early Christians under persecution served as a powerful testimony to their faith and often led to the growth of the church, as others were drawn to the strength and peace exhibited by believers. This serves as an encouragement for modern Christians to remain steadfast in their faith amidst trials, trusting in God's sovereignty and grace.

(12) And labour.--While at Ephesus, whence this letter was written, the Apostle supported himself by working with Aquila and Priscilla at tent-making. This labour was no recreation or pastime with St. Paul, it was hard and earnest work. (See 1Thessalonians 2:8-9; 2Thessalonians 3:8.) That this labour was rendered more excessive from the Apostle's characteristic generosity to others, we may conclude from the expression used in his farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:17-38), "Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me."

Being reviled, we bless.--A striking contrast to the way in which the Corinthians would act under similar circumstances, and yet a literal obedience to the teaching of the Master (Matthew 5:39; Matthew 5:44). Thus the Apostle became in the eyes of the world, "a fool" for Christ's sake. . . .

Verse 12. - Labour, working with our own hands. St. Paul supported himself by the dreary toil and scant earnings of a tent maker, in the express determination to be no burden upon his converts (Acts 18:3; Acts 20:34; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Corinthians 11:7, etc.). Such conduct was the more noble because all mechanical trades were looked down upon by the Greeks as a sort of banausia. And though it was repellent and mechanical work to be handling the strong scented black goats' hair all day, yet by this labour he maintained not only himself but also his brother missionaries (Acts 20:34). Being reviled. The early Christians were falsely accused of the most execrable crimes, so that the very name "Christian" was regarded as equivalent to "malefactor" (1 Peter 4:14, 16). We bless. Herein they obeyed the direct precept of our Lord (Matthew 5:44), as well as his example (Luke 23:44; 1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
We work hard
κοπιῶμεν (kopiōmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2872: From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.

with [our]
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

own
ἰδίαις (idiais)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

hands.
χερσίν (chersin)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

When we are vilified,
λοιδορούμενοι (loidoroumenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3058: To revile a person to his face, abuse insultingly. From loidoros; to reproach, i.e. Vilify.

we bless;
εὐλογοῦμεν (eulogoumen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2127: (lit: I speak well of) I bless; pass: I am blessed. From a compound of eu and logos; to speak well of, i.e. to bless.

when we are persecuted,
διωκόμενοι (diōkomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1377: To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.

we endure [it];
ἀνεχόμεθα (anechometha)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 430: To endure, bear with, have patience with, suffer, admit, persist.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:12 We toil working with our own hands (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 4:11
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