Fools for Christ’s sake ∙∙
We are fools, for Christ’s sake. – 1 Corinthians 4:10
1 Corinthians 4:9-16
9 Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world – to people and angels alike.
10 Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.
11 Even now, we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.
12 We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.
13 We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash – right up to the present moment.
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
When you hear the term “fool,” you might think of someone who lacks judgment, makes careless mistakes, or isn’t very bright. But the idea of a fool goes much deeper than that—a reality that’s far more intriguing than the stereotype. History shows that fools, whether they were court jesters or entertainers, were often sharp, witty, and incredibly insightful. They weren’t simpletons; they were shrewd observers with an uncanny ability to read people and situations. In ancient Rome, these individuals were referred to as actors, while in ancient China, they often served as diplomats.
Consider the jesters of royal courts, for example. These performers were not merely entertainers aiming to amuse kings and queens; they played a much more significant and multifaceted role. While their humor seemed lighthearted, it often carried poignant critiques of their rulers’ actions. The jesters were the ones who could point out mistakes or flawed decisions through clever humor, helping rulers recognize and fix minor problems before they grew into major issues.
Deborah Kelly captures this perfectly when she says, “They needed to be intelligent and observant enough to see mistakes that were about to happen and make fun of the situation in a way that made their ruler stop, take a step back, and fix little problems before they turned into big ones.”
Jesters came from all walks of life, brought into royal courts for their wit and charm. These individuals understood the power of humor and intellect, and their role was much more complex than it appeared.
A Fool for Christ
Stepping away from historical jesters, let’s consider the concept of being a fool in a different light—a spiritual one. Years ago, there was a televised debate between an atheist and a believer. At one point, the child of the King stated, “I am a fool, for Christ’s sake.” He queried, “Whose fool are you?”
The Apostle Paul addressed this very idea, acknowledging how society often saw him and the other apostles as fools because of their unwavering faith. Spreading the message of Christ—despite rejection, persecution, and threats to their lives—made them appear irrational by worldly standards. Acts 14, 16, 17, and 18 recount the many dangers they faced, from being pelted with rocks to being thrown into prison. Yet, they persisted, driven by a higher calling.
There’s an irony here. To the Corinthians, Paul seemed foolish because he didn’t conform to worldly wisdom and standards. But from the Father’s perspective, the Corinthians were the actual fools. They prided themselves on human logic and worldly achievements, which ultimately blinded them to true spiritual wisdom.
Paul’s response to this is crystal clear in 1 Corinthians 3:18, where he says, “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.” Wiersbe explains, “The way to be spiritually wise is to become a fool in the eyes of the world.”
Flipping the Script on Wisdom
What’s remarkable about Paul’s message is its challenge to everything we value in human society. The qualities we often celebrate—intelligence, success, and cleverness—mean little if they don’t align with God’s truth. To follow Christ, you have to be willing to be misunderstood by the world and carry the label of “fool” with humility.
Through what may seem like foolishness, we can find profound clarity. By concentrating on the solid foundation of truth rather than the ever-changing standards of the world, we are granted access to wisdom that not only transforms our own lives but also positively impacts the lives of those around us.
REFLECT & PRAY
The values and standards of this world can often feel overwhelming, pushing us to conform. However, those whom the Father calls to be His children often stand in stark contrast to these ideas. Their lives and priorities boldly reflect His rather than that of the world.
Father, how often do I hesitate? Like many, I feel a natural reluctance. There’s a part of me that holds back out of fear or self-consciousness. But deep down, my heart yearns to step forward and wholeheartedly become a fool for Christ. Father, I ask for Your encouragement.
INSIGHT
The Corinthians had a pride problem. With inflated egos and a sense of superiority, they were quick to judge and dismiss others they deemed “lesser.” These were people intoxicated by their own accomplishments and status. But Paul, with his sharp intellect and biting sarcasm, didn’t hold back.
“Dear brothers and sisters,” he writes, “What gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:6-7).
Paul asks a critical—and humbling—question as he slices through their arrogance with precision: What do you have that you did not receive?
No one can know the Father unless He chooses to reveal Himself. Salvation isn’t something we can attain on our own; it’s a gift from the Father, freely given. When we stop to think about what He has done for us, pride has no place. Only gratitude remains. The basic fault of the Corinthians was that they had forgotten that they owed their souls to God the Father (Barclay). Paul brings the Corinthians back to this truth.
He paints a striking contrast between the Corinthians and the apostles. To the Corinthians, the Christian life was all about boasting—flaunting privileges and inflating their achievements, much like a Roman general displaying his trophies after a military triumph. Paul flips the image. He compares himself and the apostles to the captives at the end of that same procession—prisoners doomed to die in the arena.
While the Corinthians basked in worldly pride, Paul offered a path of humility. For him, walking with the Father meant service, humility, and an unyielding readiness to suffer for Christ.
God’s Unexpected Choices
With the exception of the apostle Paul, a Pharisee of Pharisees, the remaining apostles were a motley crew of laborers and one tax collector. Paul asked the Corinthians to consider their calling (1 Corinthians 1:26). He points out a humbling reality. They weren’t society’s elite. Few were wealthy, influential, or wise by worldly standards. None of them would have been considered “the cream of society” (Garland). However, despite their humble beginnings, the Father called each of them to serve in His heavenly court.
“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world to bring to nothing what the world considers important” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
History echoes this pattern. Many of the apostles were laborers—fishermen, a tax collector—hardly the high-ranking members of society. Even Paul, a towering intellect and “Pharisee of Pharisees,” was a paradox in his willingness to humble himself for the sake of Christ.
The message is profound in its simplicity. God doesn’t call us because we are extraordinary by earthly measures. Instead, He calls us because He can use our weaknesses to reveal His glory.
The Call to Step Forward
It’s a challenge, isn’t it? We need to shake off the fear of what others might think and leave behind the pride or hesitations that hold us back. Paul’s words cut through our excuses, urging us to reflect on who we are in the light of the Father’s calling.
The truth? Anyone can answer His call. You don’t need power, wealth, or status. Your willingness to trust the Father and step into the role He has for you is all that matters.
If God has chosen the “foolish,” the “weak,” and the “despised” to accomplish His purposes, then what are we waiting for? Take the step. Be willing to be a fool—but a fool for Christ.
¯_(ツ)_/¯3-23-3
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 