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. 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.
Paul sets true apostles who are counted foolish and weak and without honor for Christ's sake over against self-satisfied believers who count themselves wise and strong and honorable in Christ. The lowly standing of the apostles in the world belongs to the clear definition of the position of a steward that ministers of Christ and physicians must make their diligent study to test where they stand. A faithful steward is accountable for his Master's goods in means or property, keeps everything in order, keeps a conscience void of offense toward God and fellow men, knows he is handling his Master's property, is not tarnished by mean actions in dealing with fellow stewards, and does not try to make his own course appear as possessing great wisdom.
The verse belongs to the account of the apostles' suffering and humble labor and manual labor, showing what their service for Christ involved. Contempt and hard work did not make their ministry shameful. Hardships and public disgrace illustrate the suffering and contempt described around the verse, endured in faithful labor for the gospel while following the path Christ had trodden. Those hardships included beatings, imprisonment, hunger, danger, and rejection.
The verse calls for a self-denying servant spirit in shepherds, missionaries, and caretakers of the flock, who feel the burden of caring for the flock. Such workers preach not self but Christ Jesus the Lord, and make themselves servants for Jesus' sake. They work without self-centeredness in different capacities and anywhere, taking up the work at hand and reaching forward to other lines without fainting at self-denial. They always bear the dying of the Lord Jesus in the body so that His life is manifest in mortal flesh. The precious truth received makes such workers wise with Christ, refining, purifying, elevating and ennobling them, cutting away fleshly lusts and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. The verse involves having God shine in the heart to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Those who have an experience in self-denial and sacrifice for Christ and accept being counted as fools by the world are known in heaven as people who love God and keep His commandments, with their names recorded in heaven. Becoming fools for Christ's sake means obeying God and His commandments rather than loving the society of the world and those considered elevated. It means studying God's Word, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and wearing the yoke of Christ, even when worldlings judge believers as knowing little. God accounts the so-called wisdom of worldlings as nothing, as foolishness, while to them the wisdom of God is foolishness. To have the wisdom of God a person must humble himself before God, walk in the way of His commandments, make the most of every educational privilege, gather every ray of divine light, practice that light, and bring it into life and character, thus showing that he has learned of Jesus. Those zealous to do good can still miss the mark, for unless they are wise in Christ they may display greater weakness and make more mistakes than the person they criticize.