1 Corinthians 9:5-6 NIV

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 9:5

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

An apostle's right to maintenance. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-15

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