1 Corinthians 9
King James Version
9 Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
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.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
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?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
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?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
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?
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.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
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.
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?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
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.
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!
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.
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.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
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;
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.
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.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
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.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
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.
1 Corinthians 9
1599 Geneva Bible
9 1 He declareth, that from the liberty which the Lord gave him, 15 he willingly abstained, 18, 22 lest in things indifferent he should offend any. 24 He showeth that our life is like unto a race.
1 Am [a]I not an Apostle? am I not free? [b]have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work [c]in the Lord?
2 If I be not an Apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am unto you: for ye are the [d]seal of mine Apostleship in the Lord.
3 [e]My defense to him that [f]examine me, is this,
4 [g]Have we not power to [h]eat and to drink?
5 Or have we not power to lead about a wife being a [i]sister, as well as the rest of the Apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power [j]not to work?
7 [k]Who [l]goeth a warfare any time at his own cost? 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?
8 [m]Say I these things [n]according to man? saith not the Law the same also?
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, (A)Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn: doth God take care for [o]oxen?
10 Either saith he it not altogether for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt it is written, that he which eareth, should ear in hope, and that he that thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope.
11 (B)[p]If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things?
12 [q]If others with you be partakers of this [r]power, are not we rather? nevertheless, we have not used this power: but suffer all things, that we should not hinder the Gospel of Christ.
13 [s]Do ye not know, that they which minister about the (C)holy things, eat of the [t]things of the Temple? and they which wait at the altar, are [u]partakers with the altar?
14 So also hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live [v]of the Gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: [w]neither wrote I 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 rejoicing vain.
16 For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to rejoice of: for necessity is laid upon me, and woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel.
17 For if I do it willingly, I have a reward, but if I do it against my will, notwithstanding the dispensation is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? verily that when I preach the Gospel, I make the Gospel of Christ [x]free, that I abuse not mine authority in the Gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all men, that I may win the more.
20 (D)And unto the Jews, I become as a Jew, that I may win the Jews: to them that are under the [y]Law, as though I were under the Law, that I may win them that are under the Law:
21 To them that are without Law, as though I were without Law, (when I am not without Law as pertaining to God, but am in the Law through Christ) that I may win them that are without Law:
22 To the weak I become as weak, that I may win the weak: I am made all things to [z]all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the Gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [aa]you.
24 [ab]Know ye not, that they which run in a race, run all, yet one receiveth the prize? so run that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that proveth masteries, [ac]abstaineth from all things: and they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we for an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the air.
27 But I beat down my [ad]body, and bring it into subjection, lest by any means after that I have preached to others, I myself should be [ae]reproved.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 9:1 Before he proceedeth any further in his proposed manner of things offered to idols he would show the cause of all this mischief, and also take it away: to wit, that the Corinthians thought themselves not bound to depart from an iota of their liberty for any man’s pleasure. Therefore he propoundeth himself for an example and that in a matter almost necessary. And yet he speaketh generally of both, but first of his own person. If (saith he) you allege for yourselves that you are free, and therefore will use your liberty, am I not also free, seeing I am an Apostle?
- 1 Corinthians 9:1 He proveth his Apostleship by the effects, in that that he was appointed of Christ himself, and the authority of his function was sufficiently confirmed to him amongst them by their conversion. And all these things he setteth before their eyes, to make them ashamed for that they would not in the least wise that might be, debase themselves, for the weak’s sake, whereas the Apostle himself did all that he could to win them to God when they were utterly reprobate and without God.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1 By the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 9:2 As a seal whereby it appeareth sufficiently that God is the author of my Apostleship.
- 1 Corinthians 9:3 He addeth this by the way, as if he would say, So far it is off, that you may doubt of my Apostleship, that I use it to refute them which call it into controversy, by opposing those things which the Lord hath done by me amongst you.
- 1 Corinthians 9:3 Which like Judges examine me and my doings.
- 1 Corinthians 9:4 Now touching the matter itself, he saith, Seeing that I am free, and truly an Apostle, why may not I (I say not, eat of all things offered to idols) but be maintained by my labors, yea and keep my wife also, as the residue of the apostles lawfully do, as by name, John and James, the Lord’s cousins, and Peter himself?
- 1 Corinthians 9:4 Upon the expense of the Church?
- 1 Corinthians 9:5 One that is a Christian and a true believer?
- 1 Corinthians 9:6 Not to live by the work of our hands?
- 1 Corinthians 9:7 That he may not seem to burden the Apostles, he showeth that it is just that they do, by an argument of comparison, seeing that soldiers live by their wages, and husbandmen by the fruits of their labors, and shepherds by that that cometh of their flocks.
- 1 Corinthians 9:7 Useth to go a warfare?
- 1 Corinthians 9:8 Secondly he bringeth forth the authority of God’s institution by an argument of comparison.
- 1 Corinthians 9:8 Have I no better ground than the common custom of men?
- 1 Corinthians 9:9 Was it God’s proper drift to provide for oxen, when he made this Law? for otherwise there is not the smallest thing in the world, but God hath a care of it.
- 1 Corinthians 9:11 An assumption of the arguments with an amplification, for neither in so doing do we require a reward meet for our deserts.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 Another argument of great force: others are nourished amongst you, therefore it was lawful for me, yea rather for me than any other: and yet I refused it, and had rather still suffer any discommodity, than the Gospel of Christ should be hindered.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 The word signifieth a right and interest, whereby he giveth us to understand that the ministers of the word must of right and duty be found of the Church.
- 1 Corinthians 9:13 Last of all he bringeth forth the express Law concerning the nourishing of the Levites, which privilege notwithstanding he will not use.
- 1 Corinthians 9:13 This is spoken by the figure Metonymy, for, of those things that are offered in the temple.
- 1 Corinthians 9:13 Are partakers with the altar in dividing the sacrifice.
- 1 Corinthians 9:14 Because they preach the Gospel. It followed by this place, that Paul gat no living, neither would have any other man get, by any commodity of masses, or any other such superstitious trumperies.
- 1 Corinthians 9:15 He taketh away occasion of suspicion by the way, that it might not be thought that he wrote this as though he challenged his wages that was not paid him. Nay saith him, I had rather die, than not continue in this purpose to preach the Gospel freely. For I am bound to preach the Gospel, seeing that the Lord hath enjoined me this office: but unless I do it willingly and for the love of God, nothing is to be allowed that I do. If I had rather that the Gospel should be evil spoken of, than that I should not require my wages, then would it appear that I took these pains not so much for the Gospel’s sake, as for my gains and advantages. But I say, this were not to use, but abuse my right and liberty. Therefore not only in this thing, but also in all others (as much as I could) I am made all things to all men, that I might win them to Christ, and might together with them be won to Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 9:18 By taking nothing of them to whom I preach it.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20 The word (Law) in this place, must be restrained to the ceremonial Law.
- 1 Corinthians 9:22 In matters that are indifferent, which may be done or not done with a good conscience: as if he said, I changed myself into all fashions, that by all means, I might save some.
- 1 Corinthians 9:23 That both I and they to whom I preach the Gospel, may receive fruit by the Gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24 He bringeth in another cause of this mischief, to wit, that they were given to gluttony, for there were solemn banquets of sacrifices, and the riot of the Priests was always too much celebrated and kept. Therefore it was hard for them which were accustomed to righteousness, especially when they pretended the liberty of the Gospel, to be restrained from these banquets: but contrarywise, the Apostle calleth them by a pleasant similitude, and also by his own example, to sobriety and mortification of the flesh, showing that they cannot be fit to run or wrestle (as then the games of Isthmians were) which pamper up their bodies, and therefore affirming that they can have no reward, unless they take another course and trade of life.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Useth a most exquisite diet.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 The old man which striveth against the spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 This word (Reproved) is not set as contrary to the word (Elect) but as contrary to the word (Approved) when we see one by experience not to be such an one as he ought to be.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
