1 Corinthians 4:10

“We are fools for Christ's sake, ye are wise in Christ; we weak, ye strong; ye honourable, we despised.”

The contrast between the two situations enunciated in 1 Corinthians 4:8-9 is expressed in 1 Corinthians 4:10 in three antitheses, which are, as it were, so many blows for the proud Corinthians. These words are addressed especially to the principal men of the Church, but at the same time to all its members who share in the pretensions of these proud party leaders. And, first, as to teaching, the apostles had to face the reputation of foolishness which the gospel brings on them, while at Corinth there is found a way of preaching Christ so as to procure a name for wisdom, the reputation of profound philosophers and of men of most reliable judgment (φρόνιμος).

Διά, on account of (for Christ's sake). As a Rabbin he might have become as eminent a savant as Hillel, as celebrated as Gamaliel; for Christ he has consented to pass as a fool. The Corinthians know better how to manage; they make the teaching even of the gospel (ἐν Χριστῷ, in Christ) a means of gaining celebrity for their lofty wisdom.

The second contrast relates to conduct in general. They come before their public with the feeling of their strength; there is in them neither hesitation nor timidity. The apostles do not know these grand lordly airs. Witness the picture, chap. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, where Paul describes his state of trembling at Corinth. Finally, the third antithesis relates to the welcome received from the world by the one and the other. The Corinthians are honoured, fêted, regarded as the ornament of cultivated circles; there is a rivalry to do them honour. The apostles are scarcely judged worthy of attention; nay, rather reviled and calumniated. In this last contrast the apostle reverses the order of the two terms, and puts the apostles in the second place. This is by way of transition to one or two traits of detail in the apostolic life which he is about to draw. Indeed the word ἄτιμοι, despised, is the theme of the following verses.