1 Corinthians 4:13Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
The setting
Corinth, Greece, ~55 AD. Paul describes the lowest social status imaginable in Roman society...
The emotion here: deeply wounded but finding purpose in his suffering
The original word
perikatharma (περικαθάρματα) — scrapings wiped off after cleaning, garbage swept away
Why it matters
In Greek culture, the 'scapegoat' was literally called perikatharma — the refuse of society
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Corinthians 4:13
Paul uses the Greek word for human scapegoat — someone sacrificed for others' purification
Common misconceptionPeople think Paul is just complaining, but he's actually claiming the role of scapegoat — taking on society's rejection so others can be clean before God.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Corinthians 4:13
Bible Genome reading
1 Corinthians 4:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Corinthians 4:13 comes from the book of 1 Corinthians, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include humility, social rejection. Notable phrases: defamed, we entreat; filth of the world; dirt wiped off.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Corinthians 4:13 mean to you, today?
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