For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
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.
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless persecuted, we suffer it:
Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
(1 Corinthians 4: 9-13)
This is Paul referring to Christians who were victims of the Roman arena, where Christians were led in procession before the last public show of the day and humiliated and then executed before the eager spectators.
All Glory to God
His humble servant Lee M Buchanan