FocusMaterial support for gospel labour
Connection to the wholePaul establishes that gospel workers have a right to support, using ordinary examples, the law, and the Lord's direction.
interpretation 1 Corinthians 9:1
KJVAm I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
Read it in context
Paul's Apostolic Rights and Self-Sacrifice for the Gospel
Start reading at 1 Corinthians 9:1 (1 Corinthians 9:1 to 1 Corinthians 9:27).
This section begins Paul's personal defense and illustration of the principles of Christian liberty and self-sacrifice discussed in the preceding chapters.
- 9:1 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?
- 9:2 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.
- 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
- 9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
- 9:5 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?
- 9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
- 9:7 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?
- 9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
- 9:9 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?
- 9:10 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.
- 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
- 9:12 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.
- 9:13 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?
- 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
- 9:15 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.
- 9:16 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!
- 9:17 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.
- 9:18 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.
- 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
- 9:20 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;
- 9:21 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.
- 9:22 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.
- 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
- 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
- 9:25 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.
- 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
- 9:27 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul the apostle is the principal author; Sosthenes is named with him in the greeting. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Corinthians 8:1–10:33): Paul addresses Corinthian believers about food associated with idols, conscience, and warnings from Israel's history. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The church of God at Corinth, with all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul addresses an existing congregation, including members with a Gentile past. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? Paul asserts his credentials as an apostle, his freedom, his direct encounter with the risen Jesus Christ, and the Corinthian believers themselves as proof of his apostolic work.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing through Paul the foundational elements of true apostleship: divine calling, direct revelation of Christ, and the fruit of ministry in transformed lives.
- What is the literary style? A series of rhetorical questions used by Paul to defend and affirm his apostolic authority and liberty.
When
- When was it written? Circa A.D. 55. book background
- When does the event take place? The writing of this epistle occurred during Paul's third missionary journey. Paul's seeing Jesus Christ our Lord refers to his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. book background
Where
- Where did it happen? The 'seeing Jesus Christ our Lord' happened on the road to Damascus. The discussion in the epistle refers to Paul's ministry among the Corinthians and elsewhere. stated in the text
- Where was the author located? Ephesus. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Paul's Apostolic Rights and Self-Sacrifice for the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:1 to 1 Corinthians 9:27). Start reading at 1 Corinthians 9:1. This section begins Paul's personal defense and illustration of the principles of Christian liberty and self-sacrifice discussed in the preceding chapters.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse initiates Paul's personal defense and illustration of the principles of Christian liberty and self-sacrifice, building upon the discussion in chapter 8 about considering the weaker brother. Paul uses his own example of foregoing apostolic rights to avoid hindering the gospel, demonstrating the principle of sacrificing personal liberty for the benefit of others and the gospel. interpretation
- How does it point to Christ? Paul's apostleship is directly linked to having 'seen Jesus Christ our Lord,' emphasizing that true authority and ministry flow from a personal encounter with the risen Lord. His subsequent willingness to forgo personal rights and become 'all things to all men' for the gospel's sake mirrors Christ's own self-emptying and sacrifice to save humanity. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers today, especially those in ministry, should be willing to sacrifice personal rights and preferences for the sake of the gospel and the spiritual well-being of others. It also calls for self-discipline and perseverance in our Christian walk, striving for the 'incorruptible crown' by bringing our bodies into subjection, lest we preach to others and ourselves become castaways. interpretation
Cited: 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 1 Corinthians 9:5, 1 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:19, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Acts 9:3, Acts 9:6, 1 Corinthians 15:8, Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:8
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
1 Corinthians 1:1
Early traditionUniform tradition names Paul.
Related passages
- I not an 1 Cor 9:2-3 1 Cor 1:1 1 Cor 15:8-9 Acts 9:15 Acts 13:2 Acts 14:4 Acts 22:14-15 Acts 16:17-18
- am I not free 1 Cor 9:19 Gal 5:1
- have 1 Cor 15:8 Acts 9:3,5,17 Acts 18:9 Acts 22:6-8,14-21 Acts 23:11 Acts 26:16-18
- are 1 Cor 3:6 1 Cor 4:14-15 Acts 18:8-11 2 Cor 6:1
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Corinthians 9
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
Rights voluntarily surrendered
1 Corinthians 9:15–23FocusServing the gospel's advance
Connection to the wholePaul explains why he has not used those rights and how he adapts his service to reach others without abandoning his accountability to Christ.
interpretation Running with discipline
1 Corinthians 9:24–27FocusPersonal vigilance
Connection to the wholeThe athletic images turn Paul's example into a warning about disciplined faithfulness and prepare the examples of failure from Israel in chapter 10.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Corinthians
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
Divisions and God's wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:1–4:21FocusThe cross and faithful ministry
Connection to the wholePaul confronts party loyalty by directing the church to Christ crucified and by redefining ministers as servants accountable to God.
interpretation The church's conduct
1 Corinthians 5:1–6:20FocusDiscipline, disputes, and the body
Connection to the wholeCases of immorality and litigation expose conduct inconsistent with the church's calling and the readers' belonging to Christ.
interpretation Questions about marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1–40FocusFaithfulness within one's calling
Connection to the wholePaul answers questions about marriage and differing circumstances, distinguishing commands, permission, and his judgments within the discussion.
interpretation FocusIdolatry, conscience, and others' good
Connection to the wholeQuestions about idol food lead through Paul's own example to warnings from Israel and the command to flee idolatry while seeking others' benefit.
interpretation Order in the assembly
1 Corinthians 11:2–14:40FocusHonour, the supper, love, and gifts
Connection to the wholePaul corrects gathered conduct and the use of spiritual gifts, making love and the church's edification central.
interpretation The resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1–58FocusChrist raised and believers' hope
Connection to the wholePaul answers denial of resurrection by joining the risen Christ with the future resurrection and transformation of those who belong to Him.
interpretation Collection and closing directions
1 Corinthians 16:1–24FocusShared service and steadfast love
Connection to the wholePractical arrangements, commendations, and final exhortations connect the corrected church with the wider fellowship of believers.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.