1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised (KJV)

Then: Paul keeps on with his list. To the detriment of the Corinthians, he treats what should be good - wisdom, strength, and honor - as shameful. He is comparing secular and spiritual values and hopes that his words will bring conviction to their hearts. When Paul calls the Corinthians wise, strong, honorable, rich and kingly, he uses first the century vernacular for the rich, powerful elite (Collins, p. 183). That's not quite Christ's goal for those coming into the kingdom. Rather he looks for confrontation with popular, cultural values, the ones who often come across as foolish, weak, and despised. They aren't really, but the world thinks so.

Now: We need to pick out our own standard for measuring lifestyles. What works for today and who is honored in the church? Being young, vibrant, pop savvy, technology oriented, quick, witty, talented, stylish, .... The list goes on. Do these illustrate faithful service to the Lord? Scrutiny reveals many faulty, skewed standards. Yet the church survives, so some still exhibit the qualities needed to work for him.

Extra Source: First Corinthians by Raymond F. Collins and Daniel J. Harrington (Collegeville MN: Liturgical Press, c1999) http://books.google.com/books?id=c4VXq9fKoRwC&dq=Collins+Harrington+Corinthians&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=uogjS7rkLJDflAfk2uX_CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CCkQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false