1 Corinthians 4:13
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When the world treats them like garbage, the apostles’ response isn’t to fight back with equal venom. Instead, they choose to entreat, a word that implies gentle persuasion and heartfelt prayer, showing a radical love that aims to win people over, not just win arguments. It's a powerful reminder that our witness isn't proven by how well we defend ourselves, but by how faithfully we reflect Christ's selfless love even when we're unjustly reviled.
when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the pride and divisions within the Corinthian church, who were forming factions around different leaders. He's painting a picture of the apostles' suffering and humble service, contrasting it with the Corinthians' self-importance. This statement comes right after he describes their own harsh treatment and how they've been viewed as worthless by the world.
Imagine being called names, having lies spread about you. How do you typically react? This verse gives us a radical alternative.
Paul isn't saying Christians are actually worthless. Instead, he's describing how the world perceives them – and how they respond to that perception. When attacked and slandered, their immediate, instinctive reaction is not to lash out, but to 'entreat.'
This 'entreaty' isn't a weak plea for mercy. It's a powerful act of love and reconciliation, mirroring Christ's own sacrifice. It's about extending grace and seeking peace even when facing undeserved hostility.
Paul deliberately uses stark imagery: 'scum of the world, the refuse of all things.' This isn't self-pity; it’s a profound identification with Christ, who was also reviled and treated as worthless.
It sounds harsh, doesn't it? But there's a divine purpose behind being treated like 'refuse.'
The world operates on its own value system – power, status, popularity. The message of the cross, however, is foolishness and weakness to those who are perishing. When believers embody Christ, who was 'despised and rejected,' they often find themselves pushed to the margins.
Paul embraces this status. He declares they are 'like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.' This isn't a complaint; it’s a declaration of their identity in Christ. By being emptied of worldly status, they become vessels fit for God's purpose, demonstrating His power in their weakness.
This identification with the rejected Christ is a mark of their calling. It separates them from the world's values and aligns them with God's kingdom, where humility and love reign supreme.
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Understand the original words
blasphēmeō · Greek Verb
To speak evil of or blaspheme someone; to attribute malicious intent to another, often attacking their reputation.
parakaleō · Greek Verb
To call upon, appeal to, or plead; used in Scripture to describe earnest prayer or humble, persuasive exhortation.
perikatharma · Greek Noun
Literally 'rubbish' or the 'scrapings' of a surface; used figuratively to describe people who are considered social outcasts or of no value in the eyes of the world.
peripsēma · Greek Noun
Refuse or waste discarded as filth; things that are 'wiped off' or rejected as worthless by society.
Paul's description of himself and his companions as 'scum of the world' reflects the intense opposition and social marginalization faced by early Christians, who were often viewed with contempt by the wider Greco-Roman society.
c. AD 41-50
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, travels through Cyprus and Asia Minor, facing opposition and establishing new churches. This period saw the development of early Christian communities with their unique challenges.
c. AD 50-52
Council of Jerusalem
A crucial meeting where apostles and elders decided that Gentile converts did not need to follow all Jewish laws, addressing a major theological and social tension within the growing church.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Second and Third Missionary Journeys
Paul extensively evangelizes in Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia, planting churches and dealing with doctrinal issues and internal strife, including in Corinth.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses serious problems within the Corinthian church, such as divisions, immorality, and disputes over spiritual gifts. He uses strong language to correct them and call them back to unity in Christ.
c. AD 56
Paul's 'Painful Visit' to Corinth
Following his letter, Paul makes a difficult visit to Corinth, which seems to have involved further conflict and suffering, likely contributing to the tone of his later letters.
This ancient psalm expresses a similar deep sense of rejection and contempt from others, showing that Paul's experience wasn't entirely new but echoed the suffering of God's people throughout history.
2 Corinthians 11:23-28Paul details the extreme hardships and mistreatment he endured, which directly supports his assertion in 1 Corinthians 4 that he and his companions were treated as worthless and despised.
Philippians 2:3-7This passage calls believers to have a Christ-like humility, looking to the interests of others, which echoes the self-emptying attitude Paul describes in himself and his fellow apostles as they endured mistreatment.
1 Peter 4:12-14Peter encourages believers not to be surprised by fiery trials or slander, reminding them that enduring reproach for Christ's name means they share in His suffering and are blessed.
When the world treats them like garbage, the apostles’ response isn’t to fight back with equal venom. Instead, they choose to entreat, a word that implies gentle persuasion and heartfelt prayer, showing a radical love that aims to win people over, not just win arguments. It's a powerful reminder that our witness isn't proven by how well we defend ourselves, but by how faithfully we reflect Christ's selfless love even when we're unjustly reviled.
Paul is addressing the pride and divisions within the Corinthian church, who were forming factions around different leaders. He's painting a picture of the apostles' suffering and humble service, contrasting it with the Corinthians' self-importance. This statement comes right after he describes their own harsh treatment and how they've been viewed as worthless by the world.
Paul is addressing the pride and divisions within the Corinthian church, who were forming factions around different leaders. He's painting a picture of the apostles' suffering and humble service, contrasting it with the Corinthians' self-importance. This statement comes right after he describes their own harsh treatment and how they've been viewed as worthless by the world.
"when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things." — When the world treats them like garbage, the apostles’ response isn’t to fight back with equal venom. Instead, they choose to entreat, a word that implies gentle persuasion and heartfelt prayer, sh…
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Last reviewed October 2026
