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1 Corinthians 9

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. Because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who cross-examine me. Don't we have the right to eat and drink?

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Paul's rights

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. Because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defence to those who cross-examine me. Don't we have the right to eat and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as the other apostles do, and the Lord's brothers, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who don't have the right to give up working for a living? Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat its fruit? Or who looks after a flock and doesn't drink the milk of the flock? Am I saying this only on human authority? Doesn't the law say the same? Because it is written in the law of Moses: Don't muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain. Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does he say it entirely for our sake? For our sake, no doubt, it was written — because the man who ploughs ought to plough in hope, and the man who threshes ought to thresh in hope of a share. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others have this right over you, don't we have it all the more? But we haven't used this right. We put up with everything instead, so we won't get in the way of the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple eat what comes from the temple, and those who serve at the altar get a share of what is offered there? In the same way the Lord has ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel. But I haven't used any of these rights. And I am not writing this so it will be done for me. I would rather die than have anyone empty out this thing I am proud of. Because if I preach the gospel, that is nothing to be proud of. I am under compulsion. And I'm in trouble if I don't preach the gospel. If I do it willingly, I have a reward. But if unwillingly, I have still been entrusted with a stewardship. So what is my reward? Just this: that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ free of charge, and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord? If I'm not an apostle to others, still I definitely am to you. Because you're the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My answer to the ones who examine me is this: Haven't we got power to eat and to drink? Haven't we got power to take about a sister, a wife, the way the other apostles do and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only me and Barnabas who haven't got power to stop working? Who goes to war at any time at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock and doesn't eat of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a man? Or doesn't the teaching say the same too? Because it's written in the teaching of Moses: Don't muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the grain. Does God care for oxen? Or does he say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written — that the one who ploughs should plough in hope, and the one who threshes in hope should share in his hope. If we've sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things? If others share this power over you, aren't we rather? But we haven't used this power. But we put up with everything, in case we should get in the way of the good news of Christ. Don't you know that the ones who work about holy things live of the things of the temple? And the ones who wait at the altar share with the altar? That's how the Lord has set out too that the ones who preach the good news should live of the good news. But I haven't used any of these things. And I haven't written these things so it should be done like that to me. Because it'd be better for me to die than that any man should make my boasting empty. Because though I preach the good news, I've got nothing to boast of. Because I have to. Yes, trouble is coming to me if I don't preach the good news. Because if I do this thing willingly, I've got a reward. But if against my will, a stewardship is handed to me. What's my reward then? That when I preach the good news, I can make the good news of Christ without charge, so I don't use my power wrongly in the good news.

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 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. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

1

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?

Plain English

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Aren't you my work in the Lord?

King James Version, 1611

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

2

If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. Because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Plain English

If I'm not an apostle to others, still I definitely am to you. Because you're the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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.

3

This is my defence to those who cross-examine me.

Plain English

My answer to the ones who examine me is this:

King James Version, 1611

Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4

Don't we have the right to eat and drink?

Plain English

Haven't we got power to eat and to drink?

King James Version, 1611

Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5

Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as the other apostles do, and the Lord's brothers, and Cephas?

Plain English

Haven't we got power to take about a sister, a wife, the way the other apostles do and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

King James Version, 1611

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

6

Or is it only Barnabas and I who don't have the right to give up working for a living?

Plain English

Or is it only me and Barnabas who haven't got power to stop working?

King James Version, 1611

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7

Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat its fruit? Or who looks after a flock and doesn't drink the milk of the flock?

Plain English

Who goes to war at any time at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard and doesn't eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock and doesn't eat of the milk of the flock?

King James Version, 1611

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8

Am I saying this only on human authority? Doesn't the law say the same?

Plain English

Do I say these things as a man? Or doesn't the teaching say the same too?

King James Version, 1611

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9

Because it is written in the law of Moses: Don't muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain. Is it oxen God is concerned about?

Plain English

Because it's written in the teaching of Moses: Don't muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the grain. Does God care for oxen?

King James Version, 1611

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10

Or does he say it entirely for our sake? For our sake, no doubt, it was written — because the man who ploughs ought to plough in hope, and the man who threshes ought to thresh in hope of a share.

Plain English

Or does he say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written — that the one who ploughs should plough in hope, and the one who threshes in hope should share in his hope.

King James Version, 1611

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11

If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

Plain English

If we've sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things?

King James Version, 1611

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12

If others have this right over you, don't we have it all the more? But we haven't used this right. We put up with everything instead, so we won't get in the way of the gospel of Christ.

Plain English

If others share this power over you, aren't we rather? But we haven't used this power. But we put up with everything, in case we should get in the way of the good news of Christ.

King James Version, 1611

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13

Don't you know that those who work in the temple eat what comes from the temple, and those who serve at the altar get a share of what is offered there?

Plain English

Don't you know that the ones who work about holy things live of the things of the temple? And the ones who wait at the altar share with the altar?

King James Version, 1611

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14

In the same way the Lord has ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.

Plain English

That's how the Lord has set out too that the ones who preach the good news should live of the good news.

King James Version, 1611

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15

But I haven't used any of these rights. And I am not writing this so it will be done for me. I would rather die than have anyone empty out this thing I am proud of.

Plain English

But I haven't used any of these things. And I haven't written these things so it should be done like that to me. Because it'd be better for me to die than that any man should make my boasting empty.

King James Version, 1611

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

16

Because if I preach the gospel, that is nothing to be proud of. I am under compulsion. And I'm in trouble if I don't preach the gospel.

Plain English

Because though I preach the good news, I've got nothing to boast of. Because I have to. Yes, trouble is coming to me if I don't preach the good news.

King James Version, 1611

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17

If I do it willingly, I have a reward. But if unwillingly, I have still been entrusted with a stewardship.

Plain English

Because if I do this thing willingly, I've got a reward. But if against my will, a stewardship is handed to me.

King James Version, 1611

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18

So what is my reward? Just this: that when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ free of charge, and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

Plain English

What's my reward then? That when I preach the good news, I can make the good news of Christ without charge, so I don't use my power wrongly in the good news.

King James Version, 1611

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

All things to all men

Because although I am free of all men, I have made myself a servant to everyone, so I might win the more. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law, to win those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law — not being outside God's law, but under Christ's law — to win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that by every means I might save some. And I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so I may share in it with you.

Because though I'm free from all men, still I've made myself servant to all, so I can gain the more. And to the Jews I turned as a Jew, so I could gain the Jews. To the ones under the teaching as under the teaching, so I could gain the ones under the teaching. To the ones without the teaching as without the teaching (not being without teaching to God but under the teaching to Christ), so I could gain the ones without the teaching. To the weak I turned as weak, so I could gain the weak. I'm made all things to all men, so I could by all means save some. And this I do for the good news' sake, so I can share it with you.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

19

Because although I am free of all men, I have made myself a servant to everyone, so I might win the more.

Plain English

Because though I'm free from all men, still I've made myself servant to all, so I can gain the more.

King James Version, 1611

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law, to win those under the law.

Plain English

And to the Jews I turned as a Jew, so I could gain the Jews. To the ones under the teaching as under the teaching, so I could gain the ones under the teaching.

King James Version, 1611

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21

To those outside the law I became like one outside the law — not being outside God's law, but under Christ's law — to win those outside the law.

Plain English

To the ones without the teaching as without the teaching (not being without teaching to God but under the teaching to Christ), so I could gain the ones without the teaching.

King James Version, 1611

To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that by every means I might save some.

Plain English

To the weak I turned as weak, so I could gain the weak. I'm made all things to all men, so I could by all means save some.

King James Version, 1611

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23

And I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so I may share in it with you.

Plain English

And this I do for the good news' sake, so I can share it with you.

King James Version, 1611

And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Run to win

Don't you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win. And every man who competes goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that fades. We do it for one that doesn't. So I don't run aimlessly. I don't box like a man punching the air. Instead I discipline my body and bring it under control, so that after preaching to others I won't be disqualified myself.

Don't you know that the ones who run in a race all run, but one gets the prize? So run, so you can get it. And every man who strives for the winning is self-controlled in everything. Now they do it to get a crown that rots, but we one that doesn't. So that's how I run, not as one who isn't sure. That's how I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I keep my body under and bring it into subjection, in case by any means, when I've preached to others, I myself should be thrown out.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

24

Don't you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win.

Plain English

Don't you know that the ones who run in a race all run, but one gets the prize? So run, so you can get it.

King James Version, 1611

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25

And every man who competes goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that fades. We do it for one that doesn't.

Plain English

And every man who strives for the winning is self-controlled in everything. Now they do it to get a crown that rots, but we one that doesn't.

King James Version, 1611

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26

So I don't run aimlessly. I don't box like a man punching the air.

Plain English

So that's how I run, not as one who isn't sure. That's how I fight, not as one who beats the air.

King James Version, 1611

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27

Instead I discipline my body and bring it under control, so that after preaching to others I won't be disqualified myself.

Plain English

But I keep my body under and bring it into subjection, in case by any means, when I've preached to others, I myself should be thrown out.

King James Version, 1611

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.