Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
It’s hard to get back to the context with such a hard-hitting message as this. But let’s go there.
The context has been people in the church boasting in certain people. There are “wise” people that different members of the church upheld, and there was conflict because of it. Comparison ruled the day as each was comparing themselves to a super-apostle or leader. It was about who gave more.
Paul’s response was that they had everything. And they were given everything. What more could they want? While they had it all, the apostles were the have-nots. They were persecuted, suffering, without food and water and shelter, and more. On every side they were opposed in facing tremendous suffering for the sake of building up the believers.
Then comes a reality that is anti-cultural for today:
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.”
What does this look like on a social media world where when slandered, the response is mockery. Or accusation. Or verbal attacks. Doxxing is real.
It is tempting when insulted to return the favor. Social media just made it easy. There’s less of a price to pay.
Is there a place to counter argue? Yes. But how we do it matters.
And for this writer, conviction has entered the room.