1 Corinthians 9:3

1 Corinthians 9:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
• New International Version (NIV)This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)This is my defense to those who would examine me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)My defense to those who examine me is this:

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:3

1Am I not free [unrestrained and exempt from any obligation]? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our [risen] Lord [in person]? Are you not [the result and proof of] my work in the Lord? 2If I am not [considered] an apostle to others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal and the certificate and the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it]. This is my defense to those who would put me on trial and interrogate me [concerning my authority as an apostle]: 4Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]? 5Have we not the right to take along with us a believing wife, as do the rest of the apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas (Peter)?

1 Corinthians 9:3 word by word

ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία τοῖς ἐμὲ ἀνακρίνουσίν ἐστιν αὕτη·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Mineἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• answerἀπολογίαapologia · defenceG627
• that do examineἀνακρίνωanakrinō · to investigateG350
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:3

• Acts 22:1“Brethren and fathers (kinsmen), hear my defense which I now offer to you.”
• Acts 25:16I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man [for punishment] before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.
• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about you, because [you have me in your heart as] I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the good news [regarding salvation], all of you share in [His matchless] grace with me.
• 2 Timothy 4:16At my first trial no one supported me [as an advocate] or stood with me, but they all deserted me. May it not be counted against them [by God].
• 1 Corinthians 14:37If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.
• 2 Corinthians 10:7You are looking [only] at the outward appearance of things. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, he should reflect and consider this, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16But be that as it may, I did not burden you [with my support]. But [some say that] I was sly and took you by trickery.
• 2 Corinthians 13:3since you seek [forensic] proof that Christ is speaking in and through me. He is not weak or ineffective in dealing with you, but powerful within you.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Mine answer to them - ̔ · This is my defense against those who examine me. The words are forensic; and the apostle considers himself as brought before a legal tribunal, and questioned so as to be obliged to answer as upon oath. His defense therefore was this, that they were converted to God by his means. This verse belongs to the two preceding verses.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3Mine answer - Greek ̔ ̓̀ ̓́ Hē emē apologiaMy “apology;” my defense. The same word occurs in Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Philemon 1:7, Philemon 1:17; 2 Timothy 4:16; 1 Peter 3:15; see the note at Acts 22:1. Here it means his answer, or defense against those who sat in judgment on his claims to be an apostle. To them that do examine me. - To those who “inquire” of me; or who “censure” and condemn me as not having any claims to the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3This is my defense: This is a legal term for the argument made in response to accusations. those who scrutinize me: See 2 Corinthians 11–12 for another response to their challenge.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. to them that ... examine me--that is, who call in question mine apostleship. is this--namely, that you are the seal of mine apostleship.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:3

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Wait
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Examine; Examination
• Mystery
• Paul, the Apostle
• Scribes

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings