1 Corinthians 4:9
7 For 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?
8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!
For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.
- KJV
- For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
- WEB
- For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
- ASV
- For, I think, God hath set forth us the apostles last of all, as men doomed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, both to angels and men.
- DARBY
- For I think that God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.
- BLB
- For I think God set forth us, the apostles, last, as appointed to death, because we became a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
- ÅB
- For meg tykkes at Gud har vist oss apostler fram som de ringeste, som dødsdømte; for et skuespill er vi blitt for verden, både for engler og for mennesker.
- OTB
- For jeg tror at Gud har vist oss, apostlene, sist av alle, som de som er bestemt til å dø, fordi vi har blitt et skuespill for verden, både for engler og for menneskeheten.
- B1930
- For mig tykkes at Gud har vist oss apostler frem som de ringeste, som dødsdømte; for et skuespill er vi blitt for verden, både for engler og for mennesker.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hebrews 10:33
Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
Read in context2 Corinthians 4:8–12
We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
Read in contextRomans 8:36
As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Read in context2 Corinthians 1:8–10
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.
Read in context1 Corinthians 15:30–32
And why do we endanger ourselves every hour?
Read in contextHebrews 1:14
Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Read in contextPhilippians 1:29–30
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
Read in contextActs 19:31
Even some of Paul’s friends who were officials of the province of Asia sent word to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
Read in context