If we had to contrast the Corinthians and the apostles and other saints who had sacrificed a great deal because of their discipleship, we could say that Corinth did not know persecution. They had many character issues, not to mention an affection on things below instead of things above. For this reason, they compromised with the world and escaped “scornful reproach” which today might characterize one who made minimum wage with insurmountable debt attached to them. By today’s standards, these saints drove newer cars and trucks and had good jobs that gave their families nice houses, newer clothes, and the finer things of life. Verse eight describes them as “reigning as kings without us, being full and rich By contrast, the apostles had sacrificed to the point that they probably looked like paupers — old tattered robes, worn sandals if not barefoot. He describes them in the verses that follow and then writes in verse 14, “I don’t write these things to shame you.” He didn’t want them to think that while they have it so good, the apostles endured a much harder way of life.
This Greek word for “shame” is also found in Matthew 21:37, Luke 18:2,4; 20:13 where it is translated “respect” or “regard” and 2 Thessalonians 3:14, Titus 2:8 and here where it’s translated “shame.” The unique word is different from two other words translated, “shame” in one important aspect. It conveys the change of conduct, a return toward oneself that moves one to change. He was not writing to produce a sense of shame in them as a result of the comparison between the apostles and themselves. Literally, the word means to “turn in” in order to feel and sense of respect or a sense of shame. Only the context determines which it is.
It is thought by a majority of translators and commentaries that Paul mean’s “shame” here. But, if that is the case and Paul places this in the negative, we would have him saying that he writes not to shame them into changing. Furthermore, he spells it out in verse 16, “I beseech you, be followers of me.” If they were different than Paul and he warns them to change to be like him, then it seems he would want them to be shamed into changing their way of life. Whatever the action (either respect or shame) Paul is not writing that they have it. Which seems reasonable? Is Paul not writing to shame them to change or is he not writing to cause them to reflect on themselves with respect and despise the apostles? The latter seems more reasonable as he does not want them to proudly accept their status and be repulsed by the life of the apostles and their hardships so that they refuse the way of suffering. When a wealthy man compares himself to those of lower status, it is natural to “turn in” and despise the poor man (cf. 1 Cor. 11:22). Paul doesn’t want them to think this way. Instead, he wants them to feel shame and imitate him and his way of life. Romans 12:16 reads, “…Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Once they followed him, they would soon realize that the true blessing is in sacrifice.