Amplified Bible
1 Corinthians 9:4
4Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]?
1 Corinthians 9:4 in other versions
Context of 1 Corinthians 9:4
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]. 3This is my defense to those who would put me on trial and interrogate me [concerning my authority as an apostle]: Have 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)? 6Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to stop doing manual labor [in order to support our ministry]?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 91 Corinthians 9:4 word by word
μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:4
- 1 Corinthians 9:7[Consider this:] Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
- Matthew 10:10or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support.
- Luke 10:7Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.
- Galatians 6:6The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support].
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we worked night and day [to pay our own way] so that we would not be a financial burden on any of you [for our support];
- 1 Timothy 5:17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Have we not power to eat and to drink? - Have we not authority, or right, , to expect sustenance, while we are labouring for your salvation? Meat and drink, the necessaries, not the superfluities, of life, were what those primitive messengers of Christ required; it was just that they who labored in the Gospel should live by the Gospel; they did not wish to make a fortune, or accumulate wealth; a living was all they desired. It was probably in reference to…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Have we not power - ( ̓́ 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 conscious that they had no such right, but because they chose to forego it for wise and important purposes. To eat and to drink - To be maintained at the expense of…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4As an apostle, Paul had the right to expect food and housing from those he served (compare 9:14; Luke 10:7–8). However, to avoid any criticism, he chose not to use this right (see 9:6, 12, 14–15, 18; 2 Corinthians 11:7–9; 12:13–14).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. Have we not power--Greek, "right," or lawful power, equivalent to "liberty" claimed by the Corinthians (1Co 8:9). The "we" includes with himself his colleagues in the apostleship. The Greek interrogative expresses, "You surely won't say (will you?) that we have not the power or right," &c. eat and drink--without laboring with our hands (1Co 9:11, 13, 14). Paul's not exercising this right was made a plea by his opponents for insinuating that he was…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:4
In the dictionaries
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
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