Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;

1 CORINTHIANS 4:11KJV
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1 Corinthians 4:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 4:11 mean?

1 Corinthians 4:11 describes how Paul and his fellow apostles are experiencing hunger, thirst, lack of clothing, physical mistreatment, and homelessness, even as they serve God. Paul is emphasizing the hardships and instability they face in their daily lives.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, explaining the real cost and suffering that come with being an apostle. He wants the Corinthians to understand that true apostleship is not about status or comfort, but often involves enduring serious deprivation and mistreatment for the sake of the gospel.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 4:11

  • "Buffeted" (κολαφίζω, kolaphizō): This word means to be struck with the fist or to be treated roughly. Paul is highlighting that the apostles are not just ignored or disliked, but sometimes physically attacked.
  • "No certain dwellingplace" (ἀστατέω, astateō): This means having no fixed home or being homeless. Paul is stressing that their lives lack stability and security, which contrasts with the comfort some Corinthians might expect for spiritual leaders.

Why 1 Corinthians 4:11 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that spiritual leadership or apostleship brings earthly comfort or prestige; Paul’s experience is the opposite.
  • The verse emphasizes the cost and self-sacrifice involved in genuine Christian ministry, which is a key theme in Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.
  • It helps set the tone for the surrounding passage, where Paul contrasts the apostles’ hardships with the Corinthians’ relative comfort, challenging their assumptions about what it means to follow Christ.

Where else these words appear

“buffeted” Greek G2852 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
  • Mark 14:65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

“thirst” Greek G1372 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
  • John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
  • John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

“we” Greek G3983 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Matthew 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
  • Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

“present” Greek G737 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • John 9:25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.