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,
• 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:
• New Living Translation (NLT)This is my answer to those who question my authority.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:3

1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?

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“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”
• Acts 25:16“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
• Philippians 1:7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
• 2 Timothy 4:16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
• 1 Corinthians 14:37If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
• 2 Corinthians 10:7You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.
• 2 Corinthians 12:16Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery!
• 2 Corinthians 13:3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among 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