Irony

Irony is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. We're all familiar with its use and we might chuckle with Paul as he uses irony in 1 Cor 4:8-13 to make his point.

After calling himself a lowly rower for Christ, he now added more adjectives to an apostle: last of all, spectacle, fool, weak, disrepute, poorly clothed, beaten and homeless, weary, enduring in persecution, blessing when reviled. Apostles, in short, were rubbish.

Then he called the Corinthians kings, wise, strong, honored.

But about the time they were polishing their fingernails on their chest, he revealed his meaning: he was admonishing them for putting their trust in the wrong place.

While they thought they were able to judge him, he reminded them that he cared for them as their father. Those traits that they mocked - lowly, weak, homeless, weary - were the traits that allowed him to pour himself out for them.

It was because he was willing to be used by God - and others - that his opinion was important. And he knew that the pride and judgmental stance of the Corinthians needed to be admonished.

They were his beloved children and he would not let them go down a self-righteous road without correction. He may have been viewed as weak and foolish, but his humble work would get the Corinthians on a healthier path with the Lord.