1 Corinthians9

American Standard Version · Public Domain

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¹Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

²If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

³My defence to them that examine me is this.

⁴Have we no right to eat and to drink?

⁵Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

⁶Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?

⁷What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

⁸Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?

⁹For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

¹⁰or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

¹¹If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?

¹²If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

¹³Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?

¹⁴Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.

¹⁵But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

¹⁷For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

¹⁸What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.

¹⁹For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

²⁰And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

²¹to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.

²²To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

²³And I do all things for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof.

²⁴Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

²⁵And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

²⁶I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air:

²⁷but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 9.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be maintained. (1–14). He waved this part of his Christian liberty, for the good of others. (15–23). He did all this, with care and diligence, in view of an unfading crown. (24–27).

vv1-14

It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to set forth himself as an example of self-denial, for the good of others. He had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and to claim what was needful for his wife, and his children if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have food provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than hinder his success by claiming it. It is the people's duty to maintain their minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due support.

vv15-23

It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.

vv24-27

The apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, well known by the Corinthians. But in the Christian race all may run so as to obtain. There is the greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our strength, in this course. Those who ran in these games were kept to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They practised the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body must not be suffered to rule. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts and appetites. Holy fear of himself was needed to keep an apostle faithful: how much more is it needful for our preservation! Let us learn from hence humility and caution, and to watch against dangers which surround us while in the body.

Key Words

AmG1510Greek

εἰμί (eimí): I exist (used only when emphatic)

notG3756Greek

οὐ (ou): the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not

freeG1658Greek

ἐλεύθερος (eleútheros): unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e. (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or liability)

apostleG652Greek

ἀπόστολος (apóstolos): a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)

notG3780Greek

οὐχί (ouchí): not indeed

seenG3708Greek

ὁράω (horáō): by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear

JesusG2424Greek

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites

ourG2257Greek

ἡμῶν (hēmōn): of (or from) us

LordG2962Greek

κύριος (kýrios): supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)

AreG2075Greek

ἐστέ (esté): ye are

Cross References

1 Corinthians 9

v9Deuteronomy 25:4quotation

Directly quoted by Paul regarding muzzling the treading ox to establish ministerial support.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v5Matthew 8:14thematic

Textual proof that Cephas (Peter) was indeed married, having a mother-in-law.