1 Corinthians 9:4-7

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

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:4

Have we not power to eat and to drink? Having proved his apostleship, he proceeds to establish his right to a maintenance as a Gospel minister; which he expresses by various phrases, and confirms by divers arguments: by a "power to eat and drink", he does not mean the common power and right of mankind to perform such actions, which everyone has, provided he acts temperately, and to the glory of God; nor a liberty of eating and drinking things indifferent, or which were prohibited under the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:5

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife ,.... The phrase "a sister, a wife", is an Hebraism, and answers to אחתיכלה , "my sister, spouse", Song of Solomon 4:9 . The Jews called their wives, sisters, not on account of religion, which also is not the meaning here; but because of the common relation that men and women, all mankind, stand in to one another, antecedent to any nearer relation, as that of man and wife. The sense the Papists put on these words, to secure them from being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:6

Or I only and Barnabas ,.... Who were for a great while companions and fellow travellers; are we alone? are we exempted from those rights and privileges, common to others? have not we power to forbear working ? that is, with their hands, at their trades and occupations, to get their living by: Paul worked at his trade, and so it seems Barnabas did likewise: Paul wrought with his hands at Corinth, in company with Aquila and Priscilla, they being tentmakers as he, Acts 18:3 and so he did... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:7

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges ?.... Some people have done so, as did the Habessines F5 Ludolph. Hist. Ethiop. l. 2. c. 14. , and the ancient Romans F6 Liv. Hist. l. 4. prope finem. Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 6. c. 22. ; though before the apostle wrote this, the senate had made an act, that the soldiers should have a stipend from the public; and this being now so common, and universally obtaining everywhere, the apostle puts the question he does; and his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:4

Have we not power to eat and to drink? - Have we not authority, or right, εξουσιαν , to expect sustenance, while we are labouring for your salvation? Meat and drink, the necessaries, not the superfluities, of life, were what those primitive messengers of Christ required; it was just that they who labored in the Gospel should live by the Gospel; they did not wish to make a fortune, or accumulate wealth; a living was all they desired. It was probably in reference to the same moderate and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:5

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife - The word εξουσιαν is to be understood here, as above in 1 Corinthians 9:4 , as implying authority or right; and authority, not merely derived from their office, but from Him who gave them that office; from the constitution of nature; and from universal propriety or the fitness of things. When the apostle speaks of leading about a sister, a wife, he means first, that he and all other apostles, and consequently all ministers of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:6

Or I only and Barnabas - Have we alone of all the apostles no right to be supported by our converts? It appears from this, That the apostles did not generally support themselves by their own labor. That Paul and Barnabas did thus support themselves. Some of the others probably had not a business at which they could conveniently work; but Paul and Barnabas had a trade at which they could conveniently labor wherever they came. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:7

Who goeth a warfare - at his own charges? - These questions, which are all supposed from the necessity and propriety of the cases to be answered in the affirmative, tend more forcibly to point out that the common sense of man joins with the providence of God in showing the propriety of every man living by the fruits of his labor. The first question applies particularly to the case of the apostle, τις στρατευεται ιδιοις οψωνιοις· Does a soldier provide his own victuals? Οψωνιον is used to... read more

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