The apostle had in 1 Corinthians 8:13, mentioned his willingness to deny himself if he might be the means of benefitting others. On this principle he had acted; and on this he purposed to act. The mention of this principle of action seems to have led him to a further illustration of it in his own ca... [ Continue Reading ]
AM I NOT AN APOSTLE? - This was the point to be settled; and it is probable that some at Corinth had denied that he could be an apostle, since it was requisite, in order to that, to have seen the Lord Jesus; and since it was supposed that Paul had not been a witness of his life, doctrines, and death... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I BE NOT AN APOSTLE UNTO OTHERS - “If I have not given evidence to others of my apostolic mission; of my being sent by the Lord Jesus, yet I have to you. Assuredly you, among whom I have labored so long and so successfully, should not doubt that I am sent from the Lord. You have been well acquain... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE ANSWER - Greek Ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία Hē emē apologia. My “apology;” my defense. The same word occurs in Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Philippians 1:7, Philippians 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:16; 1 Peter 3:15; see the note at... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE WE NOT POWER - (ἐξουσίαν exousian) Have we not the “right.” The word “power” here is evidently used in the sense of “right” (compare John 1:12, “margin”); and the apostle means to say that though they had not exercised this “right by demanding” a maintenance, yet it was not because they were... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE WE NOT POWER? - Have we not a right? The objection here seems to have been, that Paul and Barnabas were unmarried, or at least that they traveled without wives. The objectors urged that others had wives, and that they took them with them, and expected provision to be made for them as well as fo... [ Continue Reading ]
OR I ONLY AND BARNABAS - Paul and Barnabas had worked together as tent-makers at Corinth; Acts 18:3. From this fact it had been inferred that they “knew” that they had no claim to a support. POWER TO FORBEAR WORKING - To abstain from labor, and to receive support as others do. The question implies a... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO GOETH A WARFARE ... - Paul now proceeds to illustrate the right which he knew ministers had to a support 1 Corinthians 9:7, and then to show the reason why he had not availed himself of that right; 1 Corinthians 9:15. The right he illustrates from the nature of the case 1 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Cori... [ Continue Reading ]
SAY I THESE THINGS AS A MAN? - Do I speak this on my own authority, or without the sanction of God? Is not this, which appears to be so reasonable and equitable, also supported by the authority of God? OR SAITH NOT THE LAW THE SAME ALSO? - The Law of Moses, to which the “Jewish” part of the church a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS WRITTEN - Deuteronomy 25:4. IN THE LAW OF MOSES - See the note at Luke 24:44. THOU SHALT NOT MUZZLE THE MOUTH ... - To muzzle means, “to bind the mouth; to fasten the mouth to prevent eating or biting” - Webster. This was done either by passing straps around the mouth, or by placing, as i... [ Continue Reading ]
OR SAITH HE IT ALTOGETHER FOR OUR SAKES? - The word “altogether” (πάντως pantōs) cannot mean that this was the “sole” and “only” design of the law, to teach that ministers of the gospel were entitled to support; for: (1) This would be directly contrary to the law itself, which had some direct and... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE HAVE SOWN UNTO YOU SPIRITUAL THINGS - If we have been the means of imparting to you the gospel, and bestowing upon you its high hopes and privileges; see the note at Romans 15:27. The figure of “sowing,” to denote the preaching of the gospel, is not unfrequently employed in the Scriptures; see... [ Continue Reading ]
IF OTHERS - Other teachers living with you. There can be no doubt that the teachers in Corinth urged this right, and received a support. BE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER - Of this right to a support and maintenance. ARE NOT WE RATHER - We the apostles; we who have labored for your conversion; who have f... [ Continue Reading ]
DO YE NOT KNOW ... - In this verse Paul illustrates the doctrine that the ministers of religion were, entitled to a support from the fact that those who were appointed to offer sacrifice receive a maintenance in their work. THEY WHICH MINISTER ABOUT HOLY THINGS - Probably the “Levites.” Their office... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN SO - In the same manner, and for the same reasons. HATH THE LORD ORDAINED - Hath the Lord appointed, commanded, “arranged” that it should be so (διέταξε dietaxe). The word here means that he has made this a law, or has required it. The word “Lord” here doubtless refers to the Lord Jesus, who... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I HAVE USED NONE OF THESE THINGS - I have not urged and enforced this right. I have chosen to support myself by the labor of my own hands. This had been objected to him as a reason why he could not be an apostle. He here shows that that was not the reason why he had not; urged this claim; but th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL ... - This, with the two following verses, is a very difficult passage, and has been very variously understood by interpreters. The general scope and purpose of the passage is to show what was the ground of his “glorying,” or of his hope of” reward” in preaching the go... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF I DO THIS THING WILLINGLY - If I preach so as to show that my heart is in it; that I am not compelled, If I pursue such a course as to show that I prefer it to all other employments. If Paul took a compensation for his services, he could not well do this; if he did not, he showed that his hea... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS MY REWARD THEN? - What is the source of my reward? or what is there in my conduct that will show that I am entitled to reward What is there that will demonstrate that my heart is in the work of the ministry; that I am free and voluntary, and that I am not urged by mere necessity? Though I ha... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOUGH I BE FREE - I am a freeman. I am under obligation to none. I am not bound to. give them my labors, and at the same time to toil for my own support. I have claims like others, and could urge them; and no man could demand that I should give myself to a life of servitude, and comply with the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE JEWS - In this verse, and the two following, Paul states more at length the conduct which he had exhibited, and to which he refers in 1 Corinthians 9:19. He had shown this conduct to all classes of people. He had preached much to his own countrymen, and had evinnced these principles the... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT LAW - To the Gentiles, who have not the law of Moses; see the note at Romans 2:12, note at Romans 2:14. AS WITHOUT LAW - Not practicing the special rites and ceremonies enjoined in the law of Moses. Not insisting on them, or urging them, but showing that the obligation to th... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE WEAK; - See the note at Romans 15:1. To those weak in faith; scrupulous in regard to certain observances; whose consciences were tender and unenlightened, and who would be offended even by things which might be in themselves lawful. He did not lacerate their feelings, and run counter to their... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GOSPEL’S SAKE - That it may be advanced, and may be successful. THAT I MIGHT BE PARTAKER THEREOF WITH YOU - You hope to be saved. You regard yourselves as Christians; and I wish to give evidence also that “I” am a Christian, and that I shall be admitted to heaven to partake of the happiness... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOW YE NOT ... - In the remainder of this chapter, Paul illustrates the general sentiment on which he had been dwelling - the duty of practicing self-denial for the salvation of others - by a reference to the well known games which were celebrated near Corinth. Throughout the chapter, his object ha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND EVERY MAN THAT STRIVETH FOR THE MASTERY - (ὁ ἀγωνιζόμενος ho agōnizomenos). That “agonizes;” that is, that is engaged in the exercise of “wrestling, boxing,” or pitching the bar or quoit; compare the note at Luke 13:24. The sense is, everyone who endeavors to obtain a victory in these athlet... [ Continue Reading ]
I THEREFORE SO RUN - In the Christian race; in my effort to obtain the prize, the crown of immortality. I exert myself to the utmost, that I may not fail of securing the crown. NOT AS UNCERTAINLY - (οὐκ ἀδήλως ouk adēlōs). This word occurs no where else in the New Testament. It usually means, i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY - (ὑπωπιάζω hupōpiazō). This word occurs in the New Testament only here and in Luke 18:5, “Lest by her continual coming she ‘weary’ me.” The word is derived probably from ὑπώπιον hupōpion, the part of the face “under the eye” (Passow), and means properly, to strike un... [ Continue Reading ]