Paul and His Companions' Lack 1 Corinthians 4:11

Paul the apostle told the Corinthian church members he and his companions were “fools for Christ's sake” even though the Corinthians were “wise in Christ”, and though Paul and his companions were “weak”, the Corinthians were “strong”. Paul continued his writing by stating, the Corinthians were “honorable” while he and his companions were “despised”. In chapter four and verse eleven of First Corinthians, Paul shared how he and his companions suffered “hunger, thirst, nakedness and buffeting” as they shared the “gospel” where we read:

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst,

and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;

The verse begins, “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst,...” Paul began with the word, “Even” which means “Until” “unto this present hour” or “just now or at this very moment and time” “we both hunger” which means “Paul and his companions were needy, in want and craved with eager desire”, “and thirst” or “were in want of drink and those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported and strengthened”. Even at the time Paul was writing this letter, he and his companions were “hungry and thirsty”.

The verse continues, “... and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;”. Paul added the words, “and are naked” which means “are lightly and poorly clad”, “and are buffeted” or “struck or given a blow with the fist, mistreated or treated with violence and contumely”, “and have no certain dwelling-place” which refers to “Paul and his companions had no stationary place”. Paul and those with him suffered from “poor clothing, being struck with blows from fists” and were basically “homeless” as they shared the “gospel of Jesus Christ”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we do not see he and his companions in “prosperity” of this world. In fact, they are suffering just the opposite of it - “hunger, thirst, nakedness, buffeting and homelessness”. This, from the outside looking in, doesn't sound very appealing. There were some people who believed this should have been different for the “servants” of Jesus Christ who were sharing the “gospel”, and it certainly contrasts many people who share the “gospel” today, however, Paul seems to infer that he and his companions' suffering is “worth it” to see people eternally saved. Jesus never promised the road would be easy for those who share his “gospel”, but we may be assured, God was watching Paul and his friends, and eternity shall certainly tell how valuable these sacrifices were for all of them.

Next time Paul shares how he and his companions “labor, working with” their “own hands”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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