English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 9:11
11If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
1 Corinthians 9:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
- New International Version (NIV)If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
- New King James Version (NKJV)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
- New Living Translation (NLT)Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?
Context of 1 Corinthians 9:11
9For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 91 Corinthians 9:11 word by word
εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν τὰ πνευματικὰ ἐσπείραμεν, μέγα εἰ ἡμεῖς ὑμῶν τὰ σαρκικὰ θερίσομεν;Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:11
- Malachi 3:8Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions.
- Matthew 10:10no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
- Romans 15:27For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
- Galatians 6:6Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
- 2 Kings 5:13But his servants came near and said to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean'?"
- 2 Corinthians 11:15So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11If we have sown unto you spiritual things - If we have been the means of bringing you into a state of salvation by the Divine doctrines which we have preached unto you, is it too much for us to expect a temporal support then we give ourselves up entirely to this work? Every man who preaches the Gospel has a right to his own support and that of his family while thus employed.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11If 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 John 4:37, and the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:3 ff. Is it a great thing - See the note at Romans 15:27. Is it to be regarded as unequal, unjust, or…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-27Continuing the argument from 8:1, Paul shares personal examples of giving up his rights to help others (see study note on 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. we ... we--emphatical in the Greek. We, the same persons who have sown to you the infinitely more precious treasures of the Spirit, may at least claim in return what is the only thing you have to give, namely, the goods that nourish the flesh ("your carnal things").Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:11
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries