THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS - Chapter 4 - Verse 12
Comp. Ac 20:34; 1 Th 2:9; 2 Th 3:8.
Being reviled. That they were often reviled or reproached, their history everywhere shows. See the Acts of the Apostles. They were reviled or ridiculed by the Gentiles as Jews; and by all as Nazarenes, and as deluded followers of Jesus; as the victims of a foolish superstition and enthusiasm.
We bless. We return good for evil. In this they followed the explicit direction of the Saviour. See Barnes "Mt 5:44".
The main idea in these passages is, that they, were reviled, were persecuted, etc. The other clauses, "we bless," "we suffer it," etc., seem to be thrown in by the way to show how they bore this ill-treatment. As if he had said, "We are reviled; and what is more, we bear it patiently, and return good for evil." At the same time that he was recounting his trials, he was, therefore, incidentally instructing them in the nature of the gospel, and showing how their sufferings were to be borne; and how to illustrate the excellency of the Christian doctrine.
Being persecuted. See Barnes "Mt 5:11".
We suffer it. We sustain it; we do not revenge it; we abstain from resenting or resisting it.
{b} "labour" Ac 20:34 {c} "reviled" Mt 5:44; Ac 7:60 {+} "suffer" "bear"