1 Corinthians 9:1-27 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 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, 1 Cor. 9:3-6. ?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 (1 Cor. 9:4), 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 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, 1 Cor. 9:15. 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.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 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 (1 Cor. 9:19): 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 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? 1 Cor. 9:24. All run at your games, but only one gets the race and wins the crown.?... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

9:1-14 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Even if I am not an apostle to others, I certainly am to you; you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who are trying to put me on my trial. Do you mean to say that I have not the right to eat and drink at the cost of the Church? Do you mean to say that I have not the right to take a sister about with me as wife, as the rest of the apostles and the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

9:15-23 But I have claimed none of these rights. I am not writing this to claim that these privileges should be extended to me. I would rather die than let anyone make ineffective my boast that I take nothing for my work. If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about in that. I do it because necessity is laid upon me. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! If I do this of my own choice I do deserve a reward. But if I do it whether I like it or not, it is because I have been... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

9:24-27 Are you not aware that those who run in the stadium all run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may win the prize. Now every athlete in the games practises complete self-discipline. They therefore do so to win a crown that quickly fades away; we do so to win a crown that never fades. I therefore so run as one who knows his goal; I fight, not like one who shadow-boxes; but I batter my body; I make it my slave; lest after I have preached to others I myself should fail to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1

Am I not an apostle? am I not free ?.... The Syriac, Ethiopic, and Vulgate Latin versions, put the last clause first; so the Alexandrian copy, and some other copies; and many interpreters are of opinion that it is the best order of the words; the apostle proceeding by a gradation from the less to the greater, having respect either to his freedom in the use of things indifferent, as eating of meats, &c.; for though he did not think fit to use his liberty, to the wounding of weak... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:2

If I be not an apostle unto others ,.... This is said by way of supposition, not concession; for he was an apostle to many others; he was an apostle of the Gentiles in general; as the apostleship of the circumcision belonged to Peter, that of the uncircumcision fell to his share: but however, as if he should say, be that as it will, yet doubtless I am to you ; all the signs of apostleship were wrought among them; not only the grace of God was implanted in them under his ministry, but the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:3-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:2

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