Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:6

6. [τοῦ] after ἐξουσίαν omit אABDEFG. Rec. inserts with E.

6. ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρνάβας. St Paul and St Barnabas (1) resigned their claim to support on the part of the Church, (2) were not of the number of the Twelve, (3) were left by the Apostles to undertake the sole charge of the missions to the heathen (Galatians 2:9). On these grounds a charge was brought against them that they were no true Apostles of Christ. For Barnabas, see Acts 4:36; Acts 11:22-25; Acts 11:30; Acts 12:25; Acts 13:1-2; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:12; Acts 15:2; Acts 15:12; Acts 15:37; Galatians 2:1; Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:13. The reason why Paul and Barnabas refused to accept payment for their services is not hard to discover. They went on a mission to the Gentiles, the other Apostles to the Jews. The latter fully understood that the ministers of religion should be maintained by the offerings of the worshippers. The Gentiles, on the contrary, had so long known what it was to be plundered by greedy sophists who lived by their wits, that it was above all things necessary for the Apostles of Christ to avoid being confounded with such persons. Justin Martyr tells us, in his Dialogue with Trypho (ch. 2), how a certain Peripatetic philosopher demanded his fee at a very early period of their intercourse, and how the demand shook his confidence in his teacher.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:6

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