Charles Ellicott 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)

We both hunger.: From the strong irony of the last verse, the Apostle here passes, in the pathetic and sad description in 1 Corinthians 4:11–13, to show how intensely true that last word “despised” was, expressing his own position, not only in the past but at the very hour of his writing. Here, there is still an implied contrast between their condition (“full,” “rich,” “kings,” from 1 Corinthians 4:8) and that of St. Paul himself.

Are naked.: The better reading is, we are in need of sufficient clothing (as 2 Corinthians 11:27).

Are buffeted: That is, we are treated like slaves, and not like “kings,” as you are.

Have no certain dwellingplace.: To be without a fixed home was a distinctive sign of want and degradation. (Matthew 10:23.)