1 Corinthians 9:4

1 Corinthians 9:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Have we not power to eat and to drink?
• New International Version (NIV)Don’t we have the right to food and drink?
• English Standard Version (ESV)Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Do we have no right to eat and drink?

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:4

2If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3My defence to them that examine me is this. Have we no right to eat and to drink? 5Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?

1 Corinthians 9:4 word by word

μὴ οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν;Read the interlinear

• rightἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• eatἐσθίωesthiō · to eatG2068
• drinkπίνωpinō piō poō · to drinkG4095

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:4

• 1 Corinthians 9:7What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
• Matthew 10:10no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.
• Luke 10:7And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
• Galatians 6:6But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8neither did we eat bread for nought at any man’s hand, but in labor and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you:
• 1 Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

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

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Wait
• Authority in Religion
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• 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