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1 Corinthians 4:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 4:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
1 Corinthians 4:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10We are fools for Christ`s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye have glory, but we have dishonor.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
12and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now.
14I write not these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15For though ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.
16I beseech you therefore, be ye imitators of me.
← 1 Corinthians 4:121 Corinthians 4:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Being defamed, we entreat, etc.] Being blasphemed, as the word signifies, being evil spoken of, our good name taken away, and characters hurt; we entreat or pray to God for them, that he would convince them of their evil, give them repentance unto life, and remission of their sins, according to Christ’s direction, (<400544>Matthew 5:44) and in imitation of his example, (<422334>Luke 23:34) or we entreat them; so the Syriac version reads it, ˆwhnm ˆny[b, “we beseech them”: not to blaspheme and speak evil of us, since it will be to their own hurt; we give them smooth words, and soft language, not rendering railing for railing, or reviling for reviling: we are made as the filth of the world,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“defamed, we entreat--namely, God for our defamers, as Christ enjoined (Mat 5:10, Mat 5:44) [GROTIUS]. We reply gently [ESTIUS]. filth--"the refuse" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON], the sweepings or rubbish thrown out after a cleaning. of all things--not of the "World" only.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Being defamed - Greek, Blasphemed, that is, spoken of and to, in a harsh, abusive, and reproachful manner. The original and proper meaning of the word is to speak in a reproachful manner of anyone, whether of God or man. It is usually applied to God, but it may also be used of people. We entreat - Either God in their behalf, praying him to forgive them, or we entreat them to turn from their sins, and become converted to God. Probably the latter is the sense. They besought them to examine more candidly their claims instead of reviling them; and to save their souls by embracing the gospel instead of destroying them by rejecting it with contempt and scorn. We are made - We became; we are so…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“We are made as the filth of the world, and offscouring of all things - Such were those poor wretches among the heathens, who were taken from the dregs of the people, to be offered as expiatory sacrifices to the infernal gods. They were loaded with curses, affronts, and injuries, all the way they went to the altars; and when the ashes of those unhappy men were thrown into the sea, these very names were given them in the ceremony. 1 Corinthians 4:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lam 3:45; Act 22:22 1 Corinthians 4:14”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification