Fools For Christ
Jesus said if they hated Him, we shouldn't be surprised if they hate us too! The reality is authentic and committed living for Christ appears foolish to a world gripped by the temporary!
I’ll never forget the first time someone called me a fool for becoming a priest.
It was a relative who thought I was foolish to trade my law enforcement career for the ministry. But he really thought I’d lost my mind when I converted to Orthodoxy.
“No body knows what that is! You could have become a lawyer. You could have gone into politics. Anything would have paid more than becoming an Orthodox priest.”
“You are acting like a fool!”
I smiled. “Yes. That’s exactly what I am. A fool for Christ.”
He didn’t know what to say to that.
Because he expected me to defend myself. To justify my choice. To prove I wasn’t crazy.
But I wasn’t going to do that. Because St. Paul already told me what this looks like: “We are fools for Christ’s sake.”
And if you’re going to follow Jesus seriously, you'd better get comfortable with people thinking you’re a fool.
Today’s Lesson: 1 Corinthians 4:9-16
Brethren, God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things. I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
St. Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, and they’re getting too comfortable.
They’re starting to think Christianity is about wisdom, respectability, honor, strength—all the things the world thinks it values.
So Paul reminds them what apostolic ministry actually looks like:
“We are fools for Christ’s sake.”
“We are weak.”
“We are held in disrepute.”
“We hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless.”
“We have become the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things.”
That’s not exactly an inspirational prosperity gospel message, is it?
But Paul isn’t complaining. He’s not asking for sympathy. He’s establishing the norm. He’s resettomh the Corinthians’ idea of “Normal.”
This is what following Jesus actually costs. And if you’re not willing to be considered a fool, to be weak, to be dishonored—you’re not ready to follow Christ.
What Can We Take From This?
First, the world will always consider serious Orthodox Christianity foolish.
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ.”
Notice the contrast. The Corinthians thought they were wise. Sophisticated. Enlightened. They had it all figured out.
But Paul says, “No. You think you’re wise because you’ve accommodated Christianity to the world’s standards. You’ve made it respectable. Comfortable. Safe.”
And in doing so, you’ve gutted it.
Normal Christianity—the kind Paul lived—looks like foolishness to the world. Always has. Always will.
Fasting? Foolish. Why deprive yourself?
Chastity? Foolish. Everyone’s doing it, why aren’t you?
Forgiveness? Foolish. You should get revenge, stand up for yourself!
Humility? Foolish. You need to promote yourself, build your brand! You’re an “influencer”, after all!
Sacrificial love? Foolish. What’s in it for you?
The Cross itself is foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). So if you’re following the Crucified One, expect to be considered foolish.
And here’s the key: Stop trying to make Christianity look wise to the world. Stop trying to prove it’s reasonable, beneficial, advantageous. It is all those things, but not like the world defines those traits! That’s not the point.
The point is: Are you willing to be a fool for Christ? Or do you need the world’s approval?
Next, Normal Orthodox ministry is marked by suffering, not success, at least not how the world defines “success.”
Look at Paul’s resume:
Hungry, thirsty, poorly clothed
Beaten, homeless, working manual labor
Reviled, persecuted, slandered
Treated as “the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all things”
That’s the garbage metaphor. Paul is saying, “We’re treated like trash that gets scraped off and thrown away.”
And yet, he’s an apostle! If anyone should have had it easy, it’s Paul. He personally encountered the risen Christ. He wrote most of the New Testament. He planted churches across the Roman Empire.
And he was treated like garbage.
Why? Because that’s what happens when you faithfully represent Jesus to a world that hates Him.
Today, too many of us have forgotten this. We measure success by numbers, buildings, budgets, influence, respectability. We want to be honored, not despised. Strong, not weak. Wise, not foolish.
But Paul says the true marks of apostolic ministry are suffering, sacrifice, and being considered worthless by the world.
If your version of Christianity makes you comfortable, respectable, and honored by this fallen world—you’re doing it wrong.
Finally, spiritual fathers are rare—and worth imitating.
“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.”
The Corinthians had plenty of teachers. Plenty of people giving advice, sharing opinions, offering wisdom.
But Paul says, “You don’t have many fathers.”
What’s the difference?
A guide tells you what to do. A father shows you how to live. A guide gives information. A father gives his life.
Paul didn’t just preach the Gospel to the Corinthians. He suffered for them. He poured himself out for them. He became their spiritual father through sacrifice, not just teaching.
And then he says something audacious: “Be imitators of me.”
Can you say that? Can you look at your children, your spiritual children, your godchildren, the people you’re discipling, and say, “Imitate me. Follow my example”?
Paul could, because his life matched his words. He was willing to be a fool for Christ. He embraced weakness. He endured suffering. He lived what he preached. He valued being held in hoinor by Christ rather than the world around him.
Most of us struggle to say that. We want people to “do as I say” not “do as I do.” We want to be guides, not fathers. Because being a father costs too much.
St. Arsenius of Cappadocia
St. Arsenius was a priest in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) in the early 20th century. He was known for his profound humility, his gift of healing, and his deep prayer life. When the Turkish persecution of Christians intensified, St. Arsenius could have fled. He could have saved himself. Instead, he stayed with his people, ministering to them, comforting them, healing them—even as the danger grew. In 1924, during the forced population exchange between Greece and Turkey, he was finally forced to leave. But even in exile, even in poverty, even when treated as refuse by the world, he continued his ministry. He lived in a cave. He owned nothing. He was mocked, dismissed, and considered foolish by many. But he healed the sick, cast out demons, and brought countless people to Christ through his prayers. He died in 1924, having given everything for the Gospel. The world saw a poor, homeless, foolish old man. But the Church saw a saint—a spiritual father who lived what he preached. He was a fool for Christ, and that foolishness was the wisdom of God. He was blessed to be the priest who baptised St. Paisios! That’s Normal Orthodoxy—not seeking the world’s honor, but embracing the Cross, even when it makes you look like a fool.
Your Response Today
Today, are you willing to be considered a fool for Christ? Or do you need the world’s approval?
Are you trying to make Orthodox Christianity look respectable, reasonable, beneficial—so people won’t think you’re crazy? Or are you willing to embrace the scandal of the Gospel, even when it costs you?
What would change in your life if you stopped caring what the world thinks? If you stopped trying to justify your faith to skeptics? If you stopped apologizing for being Orthodox?
St. Paul says, “Be imitators of me.” Can you say that to anyone? Does your life match your words? Are you willing to suffer for the Gospel, or do you only want to enjoy its benefits?
The world will call you a fool. Your family might call you a fool. Your coworkers might call you a fool.
Good. That means you’re doing it right.
Because the wisdom of God looks like foolishness to the world. The power of God looks like weakness. The honor of God looks like shame.
Being Orthodox on Purpose means embracing the foolishness of the Cross, the weakness of sacrifice, and the shame of being identified with Christ—no matter what the world thinks!
P.S. Holy Father Arsenius, you were a true fool for Christ, embracing poverty and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack. Watch the Faith Encouraged YouTube Channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@FaithEncouragedTV
Fr. Barnabas, this being the first thing I read this morning, it is a stark reminder on how to live. As a new catechumen, these words serve as a potent reminder of how I need to behave and embrace humility.
Many years Father, thank you!
Scott
Lots of Corinthian churches out there today that desperately need to pay attention to this.