Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:11

"Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;" — 1 Corinthians 4:11 (ASV)

Even unto this present hour. Paul here drops the irony and begins a serious summary of his actual sufferings and trials. The phrase used here, "unto this present hour," denotes that these things had been unceasing throughout all their ministry. They were not merely at the beginning of their work, but they had continued and accompanied them everywhere. And even then, they were experiencing the same thing. These privations and trials still continued and were to be regarded as a part of the apostolic condition.

We both hunger and thirst. The apostles, like their Master, were poor; and, in traveling about from place to place, it often happened that they scarcely found the plainest kind of sustenance, or had money to purchase it. It is no dishonor to be poor, especially if that poverty is produced by doing good to others. Paul might have been rich, but he chose to be poor for the sake of the gospel. To enjoy the privilege of doing good to others, we should be willing to be hungry and thirsty, and to be deprived of our ordinary enjoyments.

And are naked. In traveling, our clothes become old and worn out, and we have no friends to replace them, and no money to purchase new ones. It is no discredit to be clothed in humble garments, if that is produced by self-denying labors on behalf of others. There is no honor in gorgeous apparel; but there is real honor in voluntary poverty and want, when produced in the cause of benevolence.

Paul was not ashamed to travel, to preach, and to appear before princes and kings in a soiled and worn-out garment, for it was worn out in the service of his Master, and Divine Providence had arranged the circumstances of his life. But how many ministers now would be ashamed to appear in such clothing!

How many professed Christians are ashamed to go to the house of God because they cannot dress well, or be in fashion, or outshine their neighbors! If an apostle was willing to be humbly clothed in delivering the message of God, then assuredly we should be willing to preach or to worship Him in such clothing as He provides.

We may add here: what a sublime spectacle this was, and what a glorious triumph of the truth! Here was Paul, with an impediment in his speech, with a physical presence small and unimpressive rather than graceful, and in humble and tattered clothing, and often in chains, yet delivering truth before which kings trembled, and which produced everywhere a deep impression on the human mind. Such was the power of the gospel then! And such triumph did the truth then have over people. (See Doddridge.)

And are buffeted. This means to be struck with the hand. (See Barnes on Matthew 26:67).

Probably it is used here to denote harsh and injurious treatment in general. (Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7).

And have no certain dwelling-place. This means no fixed or permanent home. They wandered to distant lands, threw themselves on the hospitality of strangers and even of the enemies of the gospel; when driven from one place, they went to another; and thus they led a wandering, uncertain life, among strangers and foes. Those who know what the comforts of home are—who are surrounded by beloved families, who have a peaceful and happy fireside, and who enjoy the blessings of domestic tranquility—may be able to appreciate the trials to which the apostles were subjected. All this was for the sake of the gospel, all to purchase the blessings which we so richly enjoy.