1 Corinthians 9:2

1 Corinthians 9:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
• New International Version (NIV)Even 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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:2

1Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. 3This is my answer to those who question my authority. 4Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?

1 Corinthians 9:2 word by word

εἰ ἄλλοις οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος, ἀλλά γε ὑμῖν εἰμι· ἡ γὰρ σφραγίς μου τῆς ἀποστολῆς ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• I beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• an apostleἀπόστολοςapostolos · apostleG652
• unto othersἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• yetἀλλάalla · butG235
• doubtlessγέge · indeedG1065
• to youσύsu · youG4771
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• the sealσφραγίςsphragis · sealG4973
• of mineἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• apostleshipἀποστολήapostolē · apostleshipG651
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:2

• John 6:27But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:1Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not!
• 2 Corinthians 12:12When I was with you, I certainly gave you proof that I am an apostle. For I patiently did many signs and wonders and miracles among you.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2If I be not an apostle unto others - If there be other Churches which have been founded by other apostles; yet it is not so with you. The seal of mine apostleship are ye - Your conversion to Christianity is God's seal to my apostleship. Had not God sent me, I could not have profited your souls. The or seal, was a figure cut in a stone, and that set in a ring, by which letters of credence and authority were stamped. The ancients, particularly the Greeks…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2If I be not an apostle unto others - “If I have not given evidence to others of my apostolic mission; of my being sent by the Lord Jesus, yet I have to you. Assuredly you, among whom I have labored so long and so successfully, should not doubt that I am sent from the Lord. You have been well acquainted with me; you have witnessed my endowments, you have seen my success, and you have had abundant evidence that I have been sent on this great work. It is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-2These four rhetorical questions expect a positive answer. The first question, following his discussion in 8:1–13, asserts Paul's freedom from Jewish ritual obligations. However, he later emphasizes (see 9:19–23) that he willingly follows Jewish practices to win them to Christ. The other three questions assert Paul's apostolic authority, which some in Corinth questioned. For you are the seal: For skeptics, Paul's apostolic calling was confirmed by his…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. yet doubtless--yet at least I am such to you. seal of mine apostleship--Your conversion by my preaching, accompanied with miracles ("the signs of an apostle," Ro 15:18, 19; 2Co 12:12), and your gifts conferred by me (1Co 1:7), vouch for the reality of my apostleship, just as a seal set to a document attests its genuineness (Joh 3:33; Ro 4:11).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:2

• Minister, Christian
• Paul

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Seal
• Wait
• Apostle
• Church Government
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

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