1 Corinthians 9:4
1 Corinthians 9:4 in Multiple Translations
Have we no right to food and to drink?
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
Have we no right to eat and to drink?
Have we no right to take food and drink?
Don't we have the right to be provided with food and drink?
Haue we not power to eat and to drinke?
have we not authority to eat and to drink?
Have we no right to eat and to drink?
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
Have not we power to eat and to drink?
As for Barnabas and me, we certainly have the right as apostles to receive from you and other congregations food and drink for our work. [RHQ]
I work like this. I never ask people for food or drink. You know, it’s all right for me to ask for it. It can be my pay, for the work I did when I told them about Jesus. But I never ask for it. If I need anything, I buy it for myself.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 9:4
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1 Corinthians 9:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 9:4
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 9:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Context — The Rights of an Apostle
4Have we no right to food and to drink?
5Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Thessalonians 2:6 | Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it. |
| 2 | 2 Thessalonians 3:8–9 | nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate. |
| 3 | Luke 10:7 | Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 9:7–14 | Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk? Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. |
| 5 | Matthew 10:10 | Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions. |
| 6 | 1 Thessalonians 2:9 | Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. |
| 7 | Galatians 6:6 | Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor. |
| 8 | 1 Timothy 5:17–18 | Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” |
1 Corinthians 9:4 Summary
In this verse, the apostle Paul is asking if he and his fellow ministers have the right to basic necessities like food and drink, just like other workers do. He's making a point that those who serve the Lord and His church should be supported by the people they serve, just as Jesus teaches in Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7. This means that when we support our pastors and ministers, we're not just helping them, we're also helping the church to thrive and the gospel to spread. By considering Paul's words, we can learn to be more generous and supportive of those who serve the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the apostle Paul's point in asking about the right to food and drink?
Paul is emphasizing that as an apostle, he has the right to be supported financially by the churches he serves, just as other workers are supported by those they serve, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18.
Is Paul being selfish by asking for these rights?
No, Paul is not being selfish; rather, he is making a point about the legitimacy of his apostleship and the fact that he has chosen to forego some of these rights for the sake of the gospel, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:12 and 2 Corinthians 11:9.
How does this verse relate to the concept of pastoral support in the church today?
This verse supports the idea that pastors and ministry workers have a right to be financially supported by the church, as they dedicate their time and energy to serving the Lord and His people, as seen in Galatians 6:6 and 1 Timothy 5:17-18.
What can we learn from Paul's example in this verse?
We can learn the importance of humility and sacrifice in ministry, as well as the value of recognizing and supporting those who serve the Lord, as seen in Philippians 4:10-18 and 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can support my local church and its ministers, just as the Corinthian church was being called to support Paul?
- How can I balance my own needs and desires with the call to sacrifice and serve others, as Paul does in this verse?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be taking unnecessary advantage of my 'rights' or privileges, rather than considering the needs of others?
- How can I use my own resources and gifts to support the spread of the gospel and the work of ministry in my community?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:4
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 9:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Through the Bible - 1&2 Thessalonians by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on preparing people for the coming of the Lord Jesus with all his saints. He emphasizes the importance of purity in the sexual area, stating tha |
|
The True Servant of Christ - Part 2 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the incredible nature of the gospel, describing it as news that is so wonderful it makes one giddy and causes them to dance. He compares the |
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John 1:1 - Part 2 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of seeking worldly glory and the importance of focusing on God's approval rather than the applause of others. He emphasizes the detriment |
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The Wisdom of a Master Soul-Winner by David Legge | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of passionate preaching and evangelism. He uses the analogy of a watchman sounding the trumpet to warn the city, stating that |
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God's New Israel - Part 4 by T. Austin-Sparks | Greek Word Studies for aid_number 36083 delves into the concept of 'dorean,' emphasizing that it conveys the idea of a gift bestowed freely, without price or compensation, undersco |
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Studies in 1 Timothy-05 1 Timothy-5 by William MacDonald | The sermon transcript discusses various instructions given by Paul to Timothy on how to behave towards different classes in the Christian family. It begins by addressing the old an |
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Reason for Our Hope 1 by Peter Maiden | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and significance of the word of God. He describes it as quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, capable of penetrat |







