1 Corinthians 4:10-13, Working With Our Own Hands

1 Corinthians 4:10-13 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. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; 12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

When the Apostle Paul and the mission team first came to Corinth, he worked as a tent-maker for his subsistence and preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath. They supported themselves by working with their own hands. The word “labour” (v12) means “engaging in hard work till one is worn out”.

Luke wrote in Acts 18:1-4 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

That spiritual strength and vitality to be engaged in making a living and yet be engaged in the gospel work is a great challenge. Gill observed well, “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.”

May God bless His faithful servants. Amen.