1 Corinthians 9:1-27 King James Version (KJV)

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

² If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

³ Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

⁴ Have we not power to eat and to drink?

⁵ Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

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

⁷ Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

⁸ Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

¹⁰ Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

¹¹ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

¹² If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

¹³ Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

¹⁴ Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

¹⁵ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

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

¹⁷ For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

¹⁸ What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

¹⁹ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

²⁰ And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

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

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

²³ And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

²⁴ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

¹ Am ^G1510 I not ^G3756 an apostle? ^G652 am ^G1510 I not ^G3756 free? ^G1658 have I not ^G3780 seen ^G3708 Jesus ^G2424 Christ ^G5547 our ^G2257 Lord? ^G2962 are ^G2075 not ^G3756 ye ^G5210 my ^G3450 work ^G2041 in ^G1722 the Lord? ^G2962

² If ^G1487 I be ^G1510 not ^G3756 an apostle ^G652 unto others, ^G243 yet ^G235 doubtless ^G1065 I am ^G1510 to you: ^G5213 for ^G1063 the seal ^G4973 of mine ^G1699 apostleship ^G651 are ^G2075 ye ^G5210 in ^G1722 the Lord. ^G2962

³ Mine ^G1699 answer ^G627 to them that do examine ^G350 me ^G1691 is ^G2076 this, ^G3778

⁴ Have we ^G2192 not ^G3378 power ^G1849 to eat ^G5315 and ^G2532 to drink? ^G4095

⁵ Have we ^G2192 not ^G3378 power ^G1849 to lead about ^G4013 a sister, ^G79 a wife, ^G1135 as well as ^G5613 ^G2532 other ^G3062 apostles, ^G652 and ^G2532 as the brethren ^G80 of the Lord, ^G2962 and ^G2532 Cephas? ^G2786

⁶ Or ^G2228 I ^G1473 only ^G3441 and ^G2532 Barnabas, ^G921 have ^G2192 not ^G3756 we ^G2192 power ^G1849 to forbear ^G3361 working? ^G2038

⁷ Who ^G5101 goeth a warfare ^G4754 any time at ^G4218 his own ^G2398 charges? ^G3800 who ^G5101 planteth ^G5452 a vineyard, ^G290 and ^G2532 eateth ^G2068 not ^G3756 of ^G1537 the fruit ^G2590 thereof? ^G846 or ^G2228 who ^G5101 feedeth ^G4165 a flock, ^G4167 and ^G2532 eateth ^G2068 not ^G3756 of ^G1537 the milk ^G1051 of the flock? ^G4167

⁸ Say I ^G2980 these things ^G5023 as ^G3361 ^G2596 a man? ^G444 or ^G2228 saith ^G3004 not ^G3780 the law ^G3551 the same ^G5023 also? ^G2532

⁹ For ^G1063 it is written ^G1125 in ^G1722 the law ^G3551 of Moses, ^G3475 Thou shalt ^G5392 not ^G3756 muzzle ^G5392 the mouth of the ox ^G1016 that treadeth out the corn. ^G248 ^G3361 Doth ^G3199 God ^G2316 take care ^G3199 for oxen? ^G1016

¹⁰ Or ^G2228 saith he ^G3004 it altogether ^G3843 for ^G1223 our ^G2248 sakes? ^G1223 For ^G1223 our ^G2248 sakes, ^G1223 no doubt, ^G1063 this is written: ^G1125 that ^G3754 he that ploweth ^G722 should ^G3784 plow ^G722 in ^G1909 hope; ^G1680 and ^G2532 that he that thresheth ^G248 in hope ^G1680 should be partaker ^G3348 of ^G1909 his ^G846 hope. ^G1680

¹¹ If ^G1487 we ^G2249 have sown ^G4687 unto you ^G5213 spiritual things, ^G4152 is it a great thing ^G3173 if ^G1487 we ^G2249 shall reap ^G2325 your ^G5216 carnal things? ^G4559

¹² If ^G1487 others ^G243 be partakers ^G3348 of this power ^G1849 over you, ^G5216 are not ^G3756 we ^G2249 rather? ^G3123 Nevertheless ^G235 we have ^G5530 not ^G3756 used ^G5530 this ^G5026 power; ^G1849 but ^G235 suffer ^G4722 all things, ^G3956 lest ^G3363 we should ^G1325 ^G5100 hinder ^G1464 the gospel ^G2098 of Christ. ^G5547

¹³ Do ye ^G1492 not ^G3756 know ^G1492 that ^G3754 they which minister ^G2038 about holy things ^G2413 live ^G2068 of the things of ^G1537 the temple? ^G2411 and they which wait ^G4332 at the altar ^G2379 are partakers ^G4829 with the altar? ^G2379

¹⁴ Even ^G2532 so ^G3779 hath ^G1299 the Lord ^G2962 ordained ^G1299 that they which preach ^G2605 the gospel ^G2098 should live ^G2198 of ^G1537 the gospel. ^G2098

¹⁵ But ^G1161 I ^G1473 have used ^G5530 none ^G3762 of these things: ^G5130 ^G1161 neither ^G3756 have I written ^G1125 these things, ^G5023 that ^G2443 it should be ^G1096 so ^G3779 done ^G1096 unto ^G1722 me: ^G1698 for ^G1063 it were better ^G3123 for me ^G3427 to die, ^G599 ^G2570 than ^G2228 that ^G2443 any man ^G5100 should make ^G2758 my ^G3450 glorying ^G2745 void. ^G2758

¹⁶ For ^G1063 though ^G1437 I preach the gospel, ^G2097 I ^G3427 have ^G2076 nothing ^G3756 to glory of: ^G2745 for ^G1063 necessity ^G318 is laid upon ^G1945 me; ^G3427 yea, ^G1161 woe ^G3759 is ^G2076 unto me, ^G3427 if ^G3362 I preach ^G2097 not ^G3362 the gospel! ^G2097

¹⁷ For ^G1063 if ^G1487 I do ^G4238 this thing ^G5124 willingly, ^G1635 I have ^G2192 a reward: ^G3408 but ^G1161 if ^G1487 against my will, ^G210 a dispensation ^G3622 of the gospel is committed unto me. ^G4100

¹⁸ What ^G5101 is ^G2076 my ^G3427 reward ^G3408 then? ^G3767 Verily that, ^G2443 when I preach the gospel, ^G2097 I may make ^G5087 the gospel ^G2098 of Christ ^G5547 without charge, ^G77 that ^G1519 I abuse ^G2710 not ^G3361 my ^G3450 power ^G1849 in ^G1722 the gospel. ^G2098

¹⁹ For ^G1063 though I be ^G5607 free ^G1658 from ^G1537 all ^G3956 men, yet have I made ^G1402 myself ^G1683 servant ^G1402 unto all, ^G3956 that ^G2443 I might gain ^G2770 the more. ^G4119

²⁰ And ^G2532 unto the Jews ^G2453 I became ^G1096 as ^G5613 a Jew, ^G2453 that ^G2443 I might gain ^G2770 the Jews; ^G2453 to them that are under ^G5259 the law, ^G3551 as ^G5613 under ^G5259 the law, ^G3551 that ^G2443 I might gain ^G2770 them that are under ^G5259 the law; ^G3551

²¹ To them that are without law, ^G459 as ^G5613 without law, ^G459 (being ^G5607 not ^G3361 without law ^G459 to God, ^G2316 but ^G235 under the law ^G1772 to Christ,) ^G5547 that ^G2443 I might gain ^G2770 them that are without law. ^G459

²² To the weak ^G772 became I ^G1096 as ^G5613 weak, ^G772 that ^G2443 I might gain ^G2770 the weak: ^G772 I am made ^G1096 all things ^G3956 to all ^G3956 men, that ^G2443 I might ^G4982 by all means ^G3843 save ^G4982 some. ^G5100

²³ And ^G1161 this ^G5124 I do ^G4160 for ^G1223 the gospel's ^G2098 sake, ^G1223 that ^G2443 I might be ^G1096 partaker ^G4791 thereof ^G846 with ^G4791 you.

²⁴ Know ye ^G1492 not ^G3756 that ^G3754 they which run ^G5143 in ^G1722 a race ^G4712 run ^G5143 all, ^G3956 ^G3303 but ^G1161 one ^G1520 receiveth ^G2983 the prize? ^G1017 So ^G3779 run, ^G5143 that ^G2443 ye may obtain. ^G2638

²⁵ And ^G1161 every man ^G3956 that striveth for the mastery ^G75 is temperate ^G1467 in all things. ^G3956 ^G3303 Now ^G3767 they ^G1565 do it to ^G2443 obtain ^G2983 a corruptible ^G5349 crown; ^G4735 but ^G1161 we ^G2249 an incorruptible. ^G862

²⁶ I ^G1473 therefore ^G5106 so ^G3779 run, ^G5143 not ^G3756 as ^G5613 uncertainly; ^G84 so ^G3779 fight I, ^G4438 not ^G3756 as ^G5613 one that beateth ^G1194 the air: ^G109

²⁷ But ^G235 I keep under ^G5299 my ^G3450 body, ^G4983 and ^G2532 bring it into subjection: ^G1396 lest that by any means, ^G3381 ^G4458 when I have preached ^G2784 to others, ^G243 I myself ^G846 should be ^G1096 a castaway. ^G96

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 American Standard (ASV)

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?

² If 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.

³ My defence to them that examine me is this.

⁴ Have we no right to eat and to drink?

⁵ Have 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?

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

⁷ What 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?

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

⁹ For 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,

¹⁰ or 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.

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

¹² If 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.

¹³ Know 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?

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

¹⁵ But 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 glorifying void.

¹⁶ For 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.

¹⁷ For 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.

¹⁸ What 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.

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

²⁰ And 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;

²¹ to 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.

²² To 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.

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

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

²⁵ And 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.

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

²⁷ but 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.

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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

² if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.

³ My defence to those who examine me in this;

⁴ have we not authority to eat and to drink?

⁵ have we not authority a sister -- a wife -- to lead about, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

⁶ or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority -- not to work?

⁷ who doth serve as a soldier at his own charges at any time? who doth plant a vineyard, and of its fruit doth not eat? or who doth feed a flock, and of the milk of the flock doth not eat?

⁸ According to man do I speak these things? or doth not also the law say these things?

⁹ for in the law of Moses it hath been written, `thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care?

¹⁰ or because of us by all means doth He say `it'? yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading `ought' of his hope to partake in hope.

¹¹ If we to you the spiritual things did sow -- great `is it' if we your fleshly things do reap?

¹² if others do partake of the authority over you -- not we more? but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no hindrance to the good news of the Christ.

¹³ Have ye not known that those working about the things of the temple -- of the temple do eat, and those waiting at the altar -- with the altar are partakers?

¹⁴ so also did the Lord direct to those proclaiming the good news: of the good news to live.

¹⁵ And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for `it is' good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void;

¹⁶ for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and wo is to me if I may not proclaim good news;

¹⁷ for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly -- with a stewardship I have been entrusted!

¹⁸ What, then, is my reward? -- that proclaiming good news, without charge I shall make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;

¹⁹ for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain;

²⁰ and I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain;

²¹ to those without law, as without law -- (not being without law to God, but within law to Christ) -- that I might gain those without law;

²² I became to the infirm as infirm, that the infirm I might gain; to all men I have become all things, that by all means I may save some.

²³ And this I do because of the good news, that a fellow-partaker of it I may become;

²⁴ have ye not known that those running in a race -- all indeed run, but one doth receive the prize? so run ye, that ye may obtain;

²⁵ and every one who is striving, is in all things temperate; these, indeed, then, that a corruptible crown they may receive, but we an incorruptible;

²⁶ I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not beating air;

²⁷ but I chastise my body, and bring `it' into servitude, lest by any means, having preached to others -- I myself may become disapproved.

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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

² If I am not an apostle to others, yet at any rate I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are *ye* in [the] Lord.

³ My defence to those who examine me is this:

⁴ Have we not a right to eat and to drink?

⁵ have we not a right to take round a sister [as] wife, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

⁶ Or *I* alone and Barnabas, have we not a right not to work?

⁷ Who ever carries on war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? or who herds a flock and does not eat of the milk of the flock?

⁸ Do I speak these things as a man, or does not the law also say these things?

⁹ For in the law of Moses it is written, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that is treading out corn. Is God occupied about the oxen,

¹⁰ or does he say [it] altogether for our sakes? For for our sakes it has been written, that the plougher should plough in hope, and he that treads out corn, in hope of partaking of [it].

¹¹ If we have sown to you spiritual things, [is it a] great [thing] if *we* shall reap your carnal things?

¹² If others partake of this right over you, should not rather *we*? But we have not used this right, but we bear all things, that we may put no hindrance in the way of the glad tidings of the Christ.

¹³ Do ye not know that they who labour [at] sacred things eat of the [offerings offered in the] temple; they that attend at the altar partake with the altar?

¹⁴ So also the Lord has ordained to those that announce the glad tidings to live of the glad tidings.

¹⁵ But *I* have used none of these things. Now I have not written these things that it should be thus in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die than that any one should make vain my boast.

¹⁶ For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.

¹⁷ For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.

¹⁸ What is the reward then that I have? That in announcing the glad tidings I make the glad tidings costless [to others], so as not to have made use, as belonging to me, of my right in [announcing] the glad tidings.

¹⁹ For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most [possible].

²⁰ And I became to the Jews as a Jew, in order that I might gain the Jews: to those under law, as under law, not being myself under law, in order that I might gain those under law:

²¹ to those without law, as without law, (not as without law to God, but as legitimately subject to Christ,) in order that I might gain [those] without law.

²² I became to the weak, [as] weak, in order that I might gain the weak. To all I have become all things, in order that at all events I might save some.

²³ And I do all things for the sake of the glad tidings, that I may be fellow-partaker with them.

²⁴ Know ye not that they who run in [the] race-course run all, but one receives the prize? Thus run in order that ye may obtain.

²⁵ But every one that contends [for a prize] is temperate in all things: *they* then indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown, but *we* an incorruptible.

²⁶ *I* therefore thus run, as not uncertainly; so I combat, as not beating the air.

²⁷ But I buffet my body, and lead it captive, lest [after] having preached to others I should be myself rejected.

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 World English Bible (WEB)

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?

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

³ My defense to those who examine me is this.

⁴ Have we no right to eat and to drink?

⁵ Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

⁶ Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?

⁷ What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn't drink from the flock's milk?

⁸ Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or doesn't the law also say the same thing?

⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it for the oxen that God cares,

¹⁰ or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.

¹¹ If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things?

¹² If others partake of this right over you, don't 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.

¹³ Don't you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?

¹⁴ Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Gospel should live from the Gospel.

¹⁵ But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.

¹⁶ For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don't preach the Gospel.

¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

¹⁸ What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Gospel, I may present the Gospel of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Gospel.

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

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;

²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.

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

²³ Now I do this for the Gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

²⁴ Don't you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win.

²⁵ Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

²⁶ I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,

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

1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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

² If to others I am not an Apostle, at least I am one to you: for the fact that you are Christians is the sign that I am an Apostle.

³ My answer to those who are judging me is this.

⁴ Have we no right to take food and drink?

⁵ Have we no right to take about with us a Christian wife, like the rest of the Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

⁶ Or I only and Barnabas, have we no right to take a rest from work?

⁷ Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk?

⁸ Am I talking as a man? does not the law say the same?

⁹ For it says in the law of Moses, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. Is it for the oxen that God is giving orders?

¹⁰ Or has he us in mind? Yes, it was said for us; because it is right for the ploughman to do his ploughing in hope, and for him who is crushing the grain to do his work hoping for a part in the fruits of it.

¹¹ If we have been planting the things of the Spirit for you, does it seem a great thing for you to give us a part in your things of this world?

¹² If others have a part in this right over you, have we not even more? But we did not make use of our right, so that we might put nothing in the way of the good news of Christ.

¹³ Do you not see that the servants of the holy things get their living from the Temple, and the servants of the altar have their part in the food which is offered on the altar?

¹⁴ Even so did the Lord give orders that the preachers of the good news might get their living from the good news.

¹⁵ But I have not made use of any of these things: and I am not writing this in the hope that it may be so for me: for it would be better for me to undergo death, than for any man to make this pride of mine of no effect.

¹⁶ For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not.

¹⁷ But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.

¹⁸ What then is my reward? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.

¹⁹ For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation.

²⁰ And to the Jews I was as a Jew, so that I might give the good news to them; to those under the law I was the same, not as being myself under the law, but so that I might give the good news to those under the law.

²¹ To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.

²² To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation.

²³ And I do all things for the cause of the good news, so that I may have a part in it.

²⁴ Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward? So let your minds be fixed on the reward.

²⁵ And every man who takes part in the sports has self-control in all things. Now they do it to get a crown which is of this world, but we for an eternal crown.

²⁶ So then I am running, not uncertainly; so I am fighting, not as one who gives blows in the air:

²⁷ But I give blows to my body, and keep it under control, for fear that, after having given the good news to others, I myself might not have God's approval.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 9

In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against himself.

I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his success among them as a testimony to it (v. 1, 2).
II. He claims a right to subsist by his ministry, and defends it by several arguments from natural reason and the Mosaical law, and asserts it also to be a constitution of Christ (v. 3-14).
III. He shows that he had willingly waived this privilege and power for their benefit (v. 15-18).
IV. He specifies several other things, in which he had denied himself for the sake of other men's spiritual interest and salvation (v. 19-23). And,
V. Concludes his argument by showing what animated him to this course, even the prospect of an incorruptible crown (v. 24-27)

1Cr 9:1-2

Blessed Paul, in the work of his ministry, not only met with opposition from those without, but discouragement from those within. He was under reproach; false brethren questioned his apostleship, and were very industrious to lessen his character and sink his reputation; particularly here at Corinth, a place to which he had been instrumental in doing much good, and from which he had deserved well; and yet there were those among them who upon these heads created him great uneasiness. Note, It is no strange nor new thing for a minister to meet with very unkind returns for great good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. Some among the Corinthians questioned, if they did not disown, his apostolical character. To their cavils he here answers, and in such a manner as to set forth himself as a remarkable example of that self-denial, for the good of others, which he had been recommending in the former chapter. And,

1. He asserts his apostolical mission and character: Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? To be a witness of his resurrection was one great branch of the apostolical charge. "Now,' says Paul, "have not I seen the Lord, though not immediately after his resurrection, yet since his ascent?' See ch. 4:8. "Am I not free? Have I not the same commission, and charge, and powers, with the other apostles? What respect, or honour, or subsistence, can they challenge, which I am not at liberty to demand as well as they?' It was not because he had no right to live of the gospel that he maintained himself with his own hands, but for other reasons.
2. He offers the success of his ministry among them, and the good he had done to them, as a proof of his apostleship: "Are not you my work in the Lord? Through the blessing of Christ on my labours, have not I raised a church among you? The seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord. Your conversion by my means is a confirmation from God of my mission.' Note, The ministers of Christ should not think it strange to be put upon the proof of their ministry by some who have had experimental evidence of the power of it and the presence of God with it.
3. He justly upbraids the Corinthians with their disrespect: "Doubtless, if I am not an apostle to others, I am so to you, v. 2. I have laboured so long, and with so much success, among you, that you, above all others, should own and honour my character, and not call it in question.' Note, It is no new thing for faithful ministers to meet with the worst treatment where they might expect the best. This church at Corinth had as much reason to believe, and as little reason to question, his apostolical mission, as any; they had as much reason, perhaps more than any church, to pay him respect. He had been instrumental in bringing them to the knowledge and faith of Christ; he laboured long among them, nearly two years, and he laboured to good purpose, God having much people among them. See Acts 18:10, 11. It was aggravated ingratitude for this people to call in question his authority.

1Cr 9:3-14

Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the rights belonging to his office, especially that of being maintained by it.

I. These he states, v. 3-6. "My answer to those that do examine me (that is, enquire into my authority, or the reasons of my conduct, if I am an apostle) is this: Have we not power to eat and drink (v. 4), or a right to maintenance? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas; and, not only to be maintained ourselves, but have them maintained also?' Though Paul was at that time single, he had a right to take a wife when he pleased, and to lead her about with him, and expect a maintenance for her, as well as himself, from the churches. Perhaps Barnabas had a wife, as the other apostles certainly had, and led them about with them. For that a wife is here to be understood by the sister-woman-adelpheµn gynaika, is plain from this, that it would have been utterly unfit for the apostles to have carried about women with them unless they were wives. The word implies that they had power over them, and could require their attendance on them, which none could have over any but wives or servants. Now the apostles, who worked for their bread, do not seem to have been in a capacity to buy or have servants to carry with them. Not to observe that it would have raised suspicion to have carried about even women-servants, and much more other women to whom they were not married, for which the apostles would never give any occasion. The apostle therefore plainly asserts he had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and claim a maintenance for his wife, nay, and his children too, if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands to procure it. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to for bear working? v. 6. In short, the apostle here claims a maintenance from the churches, both for him and his. This was due from them, and what he might claim.
II. He proceeds, by several arguments, to prove his claim.
- 1. From the common practice and expectations of mankind. Those who addict and give themselves up to any way of business in the world expect to live out of it. Soldiers expect to be paid for their service. Husbandmen and shepherds expect to get a livelihood out of their labours. If they plant vineyards, and dress and cultivate them, it is with expectation of fruit; if they feed a flock, it is with the expectation of being fed and clothed by it! Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charge? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not the milk thereof? v. 7-9. Note, It is very natural, and very reasonable, for ministers to expect a livelihood out of their labours.
- 2. He argues it out of the Jewish law: Say I these things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also? v. 8. Is this merely a dictate of common reason and according to common usage only? No, it is also consonant to the old law. God had therein ordered that the ox should not be muzzled while he was treading out the corn, nor hindered from eating while he was preparing the corn for man's use, and treading it out of the ear. But this law was not chiefly given out of God's regard to oxen, or concern for them, but to teach mankind that all due encouragement should be given to those who are employed by us, or labouring for our good-that the labourers should taste of the fruit of their labours. Those who plough should plough in hope; and those who thresh in hope should be partakers of their hope, v. 10. The law saith this about oxen for our sakes. Note, Those that lay themselves out to do our souls good should not have their mouths muzzled, but have food provided for them.
- 3. He argues from common equity: If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? What they had sown was much better than they expected to reap. They had taught them the way to eternal life, and laboured heartily to put them in possession of it. It was no great matter, surely, while they were giving themselves up to this work, to expect a support of their own temporal life. They had been instruments of conveying to them the greater spiritual blessings; and had they no claim to as great a share in their carnal things as was necessary to subsist them? Note, Those who enjoy spiritual benefits by the ministry of the word should not grudge a maintenance to such as are employed in this work. If they have received a real benefit, one would think they could not grudge them this. What, get so much good by them, and yet grudge to do so little good to them! Is this grateful or equitable?
- 4. He argues from the maintenance they afforded others: "If others are partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? You allow others this maintenance, and confess their claim just; but who has so just a claim as I from the church of Corinth? Who has given greater evidence of the apostolic mission? Who had laboured so much for your good, or done like service among you?' Note, Ministers should be valued and provided for according to their worth. "Nevertheless,' says the apostle, "we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. We have not insisted on our right, but have rather been in straits to serve the interests of the gospel, and promote the salvation of souls.' He renounced his right, rather than by claiming it he would hinder his success. He denied himself, for fear of giving offence; but asserted his right lest his self-denial should prove prejudicial to the ministry. Note, He is likely to plead most effectually for the rights of others who shows a generous disregard to his own. It is plain, in this case, that justice, and not self-love, is the principle by which he is actuated.
- 5. He argues from the old Jewish establishment: "Do you not know that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the temple, and those who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? v. 13. And, if the Jewish priesthood was maintained out of the holy things that were then offered, shall not Christ's ministers have a maintenance out of their ministry? Is there not as much reason that we should be maintained as they?' He asserts it to be the institution of Christ: "Even so hath the Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel (v. 14), should have a right to a maintenance, though not bound to demand it, and insist upon it.' It is the people's duty to maintain their minister, by Christ's appointment, though it be not a duty bound on every minister to call for or accept it. He may waive his right, as Paul did, without being a sinner; but those transgress an appointment of Christ who deny or withhold it. Those who preach the gospel have a right to live by it; and those who attend on their ministry, and yet take no thought about their subsistence, fail very much in their duty to Christ, and respect owing to them.

1Cr 9:15-18

Here he tells them that he had, notwithstanding, waived his privilege, and lays down his reason for doing it.

I. He tells them that he had neglected to claim his right in times past: I have used none of these things, v. 15. He neither ate nor drank himself at their cost, nor led about a wife to be maintained by them, nor forbore working to maintain himself. From others he received a maintenance, but not from them, for some special reasons. Nor did he write this to make his claim now. Though he here asserts his right, yet he does not claim his due; but denies himself for their sakes, and the gospel.
II. We have the reason assigned of his exercising this self-denial. He would not have his glorying made void: It were better for his to die than that any man should make his glorying void, v. 15. This glorying did imply nothing in it of boasting, or self-conceit, or catching at applause, but a high degree of satisfaction and comfort. It was a singular pleasure to him to preach the gospel without making it burdensome; and he was resolved that among them he would not lose this satisfaction. His advantages for promoting the gospel were his glory, and he valued them above his rights, or his very life: Better were it for him to die than to have his glorying made void, than to have it justly said that he preferred his wages to his work. No, he was ready to deny himself for the sake of the gospel. Note, It is the glory of a minister to prefer the success of his ministry to his interest, and deny himself, that he may serve Christ, and save souls. Not that in so doing he does more than he ought; he is still acting within the bounds of the law of charity. But he acts upon truly noble principles, he brings much honour to God in so doing; and those that honour him he will honour. It is what God will approve and commend, what a man may value himself for and take comfort in, though he cannot make a merit of it before God.
III. He shows that this self-denial was more honourable in itself, and yielded him much more content and comfort, than his preaching did: "Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing whereof to glory; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel, v. 16. It is my charge, my business; it is the work for which I am constituted an apostle, ch. 1:17. This is a duty expressly bound upon me. It is not in any degree a matter of liberty. Necessity is upon me. I am false and unfaithful to my trust, I break a plain and express command, and woe be to me, if I do not preach the gospel.' Those who are set apart to the office of the ministry have it in charge to preach the gospel. Woe be to them if they do not. From this none is excepted. But it is not given in charge to all, nor any preacher of the gospel, to do his work gratis, to preach and have no maintenance out of it. It is not said, "Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel, and yet maintain himself.' In this point he is more at liberty. It may be his duty to preach at some seasons, and under some circumstances, without receiving a maintenance for it; but he has, in the general, a right to it, and may expect it from those among whom he labours. When he renounces this right for the sake of the gospel and the souls of men, though he does not supererogate, yet he denies himself, waives his privilege and right; he does more than his charge and office in general, and at all times, obliges him to. Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel; but it may sometimes be his duty to insist on his maintenance for so doing, and whenever he forbears to claim it he parts with his right, though a man may sometimes be bound to do so by the general duties of love to God and charity to men. Note, It is a high attainment in religion to renounce our own rights for the good of others; this will entitle to a peculiar reward from God. For,
IV. The apostle here informs us that doing our duty with a willing mind will meet with a gracious recompence from God: If I do this thing, that is, either preach the gospel or take no maintenance, willingly, I have a reward. Indeed, it is willing service only that is capable of reward from God. It is not the bare doing of any duty, but the doing of it heartily (that is, willingly and cheerfully) that God has promised to reward. Leave the heart out of our duties, and God abhors them: they are but the carcasses, without the life and spirit, of religion. Those must preach willingly who would be accepted of God in this duty. They must make their business a pleasure, and not esteem it a drudgery. And those who, out of regard to the honour of God or good of souls, give up their claim to a maintenance, should do this duty willingly, if they would be accepted in it or rewarded for it. But whether the duty of the office be done willingly or with reluctance, whether the heart be in it or averse from it, all in office have a trust and charge from God, for which they must be accountable. Ministers have a dispensation of the gospel, or stewardship-oikonomia (Lu. 16:2), committed to them. Note, Christ's willing servants shall not fail of a recompence, and that proportioned to their fidelity, zeal, and diligence; and his slothful and unwilling servants shall all be called to an account. Taking his name, and professing to do his business, will make men accountable at his bar. And how sad an account have slothful servants to give!
V. The apostle sums up the argument, by laying before them the encouraging hope he had of a large recompence for his remarkable self-denial: What is my reward then? v. 18. What is it I expect a recompence from God for? That when I preach the gospel I may make it without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Or, "not so to claim my rights as to make them destroy the great intentions and ends of my office, but renounce them for the sake of these.' It is an abuse of power to employ it against the very ends for which it is given. And the apostle would never use his power, or privilege of being maintained by his ministry, so as to frustrate the ends of it, but would willingly and cheerfully deny himself for the honour of Christ and the interest of souls. That ministers who follows his example may have cheerful expectations of a full recompence.

1Cr 9:19-23

The apostle takes occasion from what he had before discoursed to mention some other instances of his self-denial and parting with his liberty for the benefit of others.

I. He asserts his liberty (v. 19): Though I be free from all men. He was free-born, a citizen of Rome. He was in bondage to none, nor depended upon any for his subsistence; yet he made himself a servant to all, that he might gain the more. He behaved as a servant; he laboured for their good as a servant; he was careful to please, as a servant to his master; he acted in many cases as if he had no privileges; and this that he might gain the more, or make the more converts to Christianity. He made himself a servant, that they might be made free.
II. He specifies some particulars wherein he made himself a servant to all. He accommodated himself to all sorts of people.
- 1. To the Jews, and those under the law, he became a Jew, and as under the law, to gain them. Though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet in many instances he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, remove their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ.
- 2. To those that are without the law as without law that is, to the Gentiles, whether converted to the Christian faith or not. In innocent things he could comply with people's usages or humours for their advantage. He would reason with the philosophers in their own way. And, as to converted Gentiles, he behaved among them as one that was not under the bondage of the Jewish laws, as he had asserted and maintained concerning them, though he did not act as a lawless person, but as one who was bound by the laws of Christ. He would transgress no laws of Christ to please or humour any man; but he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles, and so, one would have thought, might have excused himself from complying with the Jews; and yet, to do them good, and win them over to Christ, he did, in innocent things, neglect the power he had to do otherwise, and conformed to some of their usages and laws. And though he might, by virtue of that character, have challenged authority over the Gentiles, yet he accommodated himself, as much as he innocently might, to their prejudices and ways of thinking. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, so that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges and punctilios.
- 3. To the weak he became as weak, that he might gain the weak, v. 22. He was willing to make the best of them. He did not despise nor judge them, but became as one of them, forbore to use his liberty for their sake, and was careful to lay no stumbling-block in their way. Where any, through the weakness of their understanding, or the strength of their prejudices, were likely to fall into sin, or fall off from the gospel into heathen idolatry, through his use of his liberty, he refrained himself. He denied himself for their sakes, that he might insinuate into their affections, and gain their souls. In short, he became all things to all men, that he might by all means (all lawful means) gain some. He would not sin against God to save the soul of his neighbour, but he would very cheerfully and readily deny himself. The rights of God he could not give up, but he might resign his own, and he very often did so for the good of others.
III. He assigns his reason for acting in this manner (v. 23): This I do for the gospel's sake, and that I may be partaker thereof with you; that is, for the honour of Christ, whose the gospel is, and for the salvation of souls, for which it was designed, and that he and they might communicate in the privileges of it, or partake together of them. For these ends did he thus condescend, deny himself as to his liberty, and accommodate himself to the capacities and usages of those with whom he had to do, where he lawfully might. Note, A heart warmed with zeal for God, and breathing after the salvation of men, will not plead and insist upon rights and privileges in bar to this design. Those manifestly abuse their power in the gospel who employ it not to edification but destruction, and therefore breathe nothing of its spirit.

1Cr 9:24-27

In these verses the apostle hints at the great encouragement he had to act in this manner. He had a glorious prize, an incorruptible crown, in view. Upon this head he compares himself to the racers and combatants in the Isthmian games, an allusion well known to the Corinthians, because they were celebrated in their neighbourhood: "Know you not that those who run in a race run all, but one obtaineth the prize? v. 24. All run at your games, but only one gets the race and wins the crown.' And here,

I. He excites them to their duty: "So run that you may obtain. It is quite otherwise in the Christian race than in your races; only one wins the prize in them. You may all run so as to obtain. You have great encouragement, therefore, to persist constantly, and diligently, and vigorously, in your course. There is room for all to get the prize. You cannot fail if you run well. Yet there should be a noble emulation; you should endeavour to outdo one another. And it is a glorious contest who shall get first to heaven, or have the best rewards in that blessed world. I make it my endeavour to run; so do you, as you see me go before you.' Note, It is the duty of Christians to follow their ministers closely in the chase of eternal glory, and the honour and duty of ministers to lead them in the way.
II. He directs them in their course, by setting more fully to view his own example, still carrying on the allusion.
- 1. Those that ran in their games were kept to a set diet: "Every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things, v. 23. The fighters and wrestlers in your exercises are kept to strict diet and discipline; nay, they keep themselves to it. They do not indulge themselves, but restrain themselves from the food they eat and so from the liberties they use on other occasions. And should not Christians much more abridge themselves of their liberty, for so glorious an end as winning the race, and obtaining the prize set before them? They used a very spare diet, and course food, and denied themselves much, to prepare for their race and combat; so do I; so should you, after my example. It is hard if, for the heavenly crown, you cannot abstain from heathen sacrifices.'
- 2. They were not only temperate, but inured themselves to hardships. Those who fought with one another in these exercises prepared themselves by beating the air, as the apostle calls it, or by throwing out their arms, and thereby inuring themselves, beforehand, to deal about their blows in close combat, or brandish them by way of flourish. There is no room for any such exercise in the Christian warfare. Christians are ever in close combat. There enemies make fierce and hearty opposition, and are ever at hand; and for this reason they must lay about them in earnest, and never drop the contest, nor flag and faint in it. They must fight, not as those that beat the air, but must strive against their enemies with all their might. One enemy the apostle here mentions, namely, the body; this must be kept under, beaten black and blue, as the combatants were in these Grecian games, and thereby brought into subjection. By the body we are to understand fleshly appetites and inclinations. These the apostle set himself to curb and conquer, and in this the Corinthians were bound to imitate him. Note, Those who would aright pursue the interests of their souls must beat down their bodies, and keep them under. They must combat hard with fleshly lusts, and not indulge a wanton appetite, and long for heathenish sacrifices, nor eat them, to please their flesh, at the hazard of their brethren's souls. The body must be made to serve the mind, not suffered to lord over it.
III. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians by proper arguments drawn from the same contenders.
- 1. They take pains, and undergo all those hardships, to obtain a corruptible crown (v. 25), but we an incorruptible. Those who conquered in these games were crowned only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive, bays, or laurel. But Christians have an incorruptible crown in view, a crown of glory that never fadeth away, an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in heaven for them. And would they yet suffer themselves to be outdone by these racers or wrestlers? Can they use abstinence in diet, exert themselves in racing, expose their bodies to so much hardship in a combat, who have no more in view than the trifling huzzas of a giddy multitude, or a crown of leaves? And shall not Christians, who hope for the approbation of the sovereign Judge, and a crown of glory from his hands, stretch forward in the heavenly race, and exert themselves in beating down their fleshly inclinations, and the strong-holds of sin?
- 2. The racers in these games run at uncertainty. All run, but one receives the prize, v. 24. Every racer, therefore, is at a great uncertainty whether he shall win it or no. But the Christian racer is at no such uncertainty. Every one may run here so as to obtain; but then he must run within the lines, he must keep to the path of duty prescribed, which, some think, is the meaning of running not as uncertainly, v. 26. He who keeps within the limits prescribed, and keeps on in his race, will never miss his crown, though others may get theirs before him. And would the Grecian racers keep within their bounds, and exert themselves to the very last, when one only could win, and all must be uncertain which that one would be? And shall not Christians be much more exact and vigorous when all are sure of a crown when they come to the end of their race?
- 3. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly inclinations, and pampering the body and its lusts and appetites: I keep my body under, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away (v. 27), rejected, disapproved, adokimos, one to whom the brabeuteµs-the judge or umpire of the race, will not decree the crown. The allusion to the games runs through the whole sentence. Note, A preacher of salvation may yet miss it. He may show others the way to heaven, and never get thither himself. To prevent this, Paul took so much pains in subduing and keeping under bodily inclinations, lest by any means he himself, who had preached to others, should yet miss the crown, be disapproved and rejected by his sovereign Judge. A holy fear of himself was necessary to preserve the fidelity of an apostle; and how much more necessary is it to our preservation? Note, Holy fear of ourselves, and not presumptuous confidence, is the best security against apostasy from God, and final rejection by him.

Worthy.Bible » Parallel » 1 Corinthians » Chapter 9