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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:4

Verse 4 4.Have we not power ? He concludes from what has been already said, that he had a right to receive food and clothing from them, (482) for Paul ate and drank, but not at the expense of the Church. This, then, was one liberty that he dispensed with. The other was, that he had not a wife — to be maintained, also, at the public expense. Eusebius infers from these words that Paul was married, but had left his wife somewhere, that she might not be a burden to the Churches, but there is no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:5

Verse 5 5.Even as the other Apostles. In addition to the Lord’s permission, he mentions the common practice of others. And with the view of bringing out more fully the waiving of his right, he proceeds step by step. In the first place, he brings forward the Apostles He then adds, “Nay, even the brethren of the Lord themselves also make use of it without hesitation — nay more, Peter himself, to whom the first place is assigned by consent of all, allows himself the same liberty.” By the brethren... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:7

Verse 7 7.Who hath gone a warfare at his own charges? It is the present tense that is used (483) as meaning — is accustomed to go a warfare. I have, however, with the view of taking off somewhat of the harshness, rendered it in the preterite. Now, by three comparisons, and these, too, taken from common life, he makes it out that it was allowable for him to live, if he chose, at the public expense of the Church, to show that he assumes nothing to himself but what human nature itself teaches us... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

How St. Paul regarded his apostleship and its rights. To induce the Corinthians to deny themselves the exercise of a liberty they had in things indifferent, St. Paul bad made the argument in the eighth chapter. Liberty was amenable to conscience, knowledge secondary to love, and love was the constructing or building up power of the new spiritual edifice. Not one of these could be spared, for they were all constituents of manhood in Christ; but they must be adjusted to one another under the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-15

The support of the ministry. Paul recognizes a ministry set apart. I. THE RIGHT OF MINISTERS TO CLAIM ADEQUATE SUPPORT FROM THEIR PEOPLE . Enforced by: 1. Analogy . 2. The Mosaic Law. 3. Common sense. It is reasonable that those who give up their time, energies, and gifts to the service of the Church should be supported by it. This is seen more strikingly when we remember that what is received by the Church is of infinitely more value than... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-21

The leading characteristics of a truly great gospel minister. "Am I not an apostle? am I not free?" etc. Taking these verses as a whole, they illustrate some of the leading characteristics of a truly great gospel minister, and I offer the following remarks:— I. The greater the minister of Christ, the MORE INDEPENDENT OF CEREMONIAL RESTRICTIONS . Paul was one of the greatest, if not the greatest, ministers of Christ that ever existed. He was an apostle, and had "seen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:4

To eat and to drink. To be supported by those to whom we preach ( Luke 10:7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:4-18

Ministerial support. Having vindicated his claim to be reckoned among the apostles of Christ, Paul proceeds to assert his right to a temporal maintenance at the hands of those to whom he ministered. The other apostles received support, not only for themselves, but also for their wives: why should he not make the same claim? Though he was unmarried, and though he had hitherto supported himself by the labour of his own hands, this did not invalidate his right. Consider— I. THE RIGHT ... read more

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