1.
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?
not. First two and fourth occurance. App-105 .
apostle . App-189 . The texts transpose the first two questions.
not . Third occurance. App-105 .
seen . App-133 .
Jesus Christ = Jesus. App-98 .
Lord . App-98 .
Lord . App-98 .
2.
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.
unto = to.
others . App-124 .
doubtless = at least. seal. Greek. sphragis.
apostleship . Greek. apostole. See Acts 1:25 .
3.
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
answer = defence. Greek. apologia . See Acts 22:1 .
examine . App-122 .
4.
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
not . Greek. me ou. The me stands for the question.
power = authority, or right. Greek. exousia. App-172 .
to eat, &c . i.e. at the expense of the assembly.
5.
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?
a sister a wife . i.e. a wife who is a believer, and so entitled to be provided for, as well as her husband.
other = the rest of the. App-124 .
brethren . See App-182 .
6.
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Barnabas . It would appear then that Barnabas adopted the same method as Paul, of working for his living.
to forbear working = of not (Greek. me) working.
7.
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?
goeth a warfare = serves as a soldier. Greek. strateuomai. Occ elsewhere, Luke 3:14 (which see). 2Co 10:3 . 1 Timothy 1:18 . 2 Timothy 2:4 .James 4:1 . 1 Peter 2:11 .
charges . Greek. opsonion. Literally soldier's rations. Occurs elsewhere and translated "wages", Luke 3:14 . Rom 6:23 . 2 Corinthians 11:8 .
vineyard . The only reference to a vineyard in N.T., besides our Lord's three parables.
of . App-104 .
8.
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
Say I, &c . The question is introduced by me (1 Corinthians 9:4 ), and there is an Ellipsis of "only".
as-according to . Greek. kata . App-104 .
man . Greek. anthropos ( App-123 .), i.e. according to the universal practice of men.
the same also = also these things.
9.
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?
is = has been.
Moses . Occurs twice in this Epistle, here and 1 Corinthians 10:2 . Compare Matthew 8:4 .
muzzle . Greek. phimoo. See Luke 4:38 (hold . . . peace).
treadeth out the corn = thresheth. Greek. aloao. Only here, 1 Corinthians 9:10 and 1 Timothy 5:18 , where the same quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4 is found.
Doth, &c . The question begins with me , as in 1 Corinthians 9:8 , nnd expects the answer "No". But He does care. See Job 38:41 .Matthew 6:26 ; Matthew 10:29 . So there is an Ellipsis of the word "only" after "oxen". Compare 1 Corinthians 9:8 .
God . App-98 .
10.
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.
for our sakes = on account of (Greek. dia . App-104 . 1 Corinthians 9:2 ) us.
is = was.
ploweth . Greek. arotriao. Only here and Luke 17:7 .
should = ought to.
in = upon. App-104 .
thresheth . See 1 Corinthians 9:9 .
should be, &c . The texts read "(should do so) upon the hope of partaking (of the fruit). "
be partaker = share. Greek. metecho. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 9:12 ; 1Co 10:17 , 1 Corinthians 10:21 , 1 Corinthians 10:30 . Hebrews 2:14 ; Hebrews 5:13 ; Hebrews 7:13 .
11.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
spiritual things = the spiritual (things). Greek. pneumatikos. See 1 Corinthians 12:1 .
carnal . Greek. sarkikos. See Romans 7:14 .
12.
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.
have not used = did not use. Greek. chraomai. See Acts 27:3 .
suffer = bear. Greek. stego, to cover. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 13:7 . 1Th 3:1 , 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (forbear).
lest, &c . = in order that (Greek. hina) we might not (Greek. me. App-105 ).
hinder . Literally give any hindrance. Greek. engkope. Only here. Compare Acts 24:4 .
gospel . App-140 .
Christ = the Christ. App-98 .
13.
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the alter are partakers with the alter?
Do ye not know = Know ye not. See 1 Corinthians 3:16 .
know . App-132 .
minister . Same word as "work" 1 Corinthians 9:6 .
holy things . Greek. hieros. Only here and 2 Timothy 3:15 .
live = eat. See Deuteronomy 18:1 .
temple . Greek. hieron, neut. of hieros. The temple generally. See Matthew 23:16 .
wait . Greek. prosedreuo. Only here, but the texts read paredreuo, same meaning.
are partakers = divide. Greek. summerizomai. Only here.
14.
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Even so, &c . = So did the Lord also ordain.
ordained . Greek. diatasso. See Acts 7:44 .
preach . App-121 .
15.
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.
neither have I written = and I wrote not (Greek. ou) .
that = in order that. Greek. hina.
unto = in ( App-104 .), i.e. in my case.
better, &c . = well for me to die, rather.
any man . Greek. tis. App-123 . The texts read oudeis.
make . . . void . Greek. kenoo. See Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:7 .
glorying = boasting, as in 1 Corinthians 5:6 .
16.
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!
though = if. App-118 .
preach the gospel . App-121 .
nothing to glory of = no (Greek. ou) (cause of) boasting (as in 1 Corinthians 9:15 ).
necessity . Gr . ananke. Compare 1 Corinthians 7:37 .
is laid = lies. Greek. epikeimai. See Acts 27:20 .
yea . The texts read "for".
if . App-118 .
17.
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.
do = practise. Greek. prasso. See John 3:20 .
willingly = being willing. Greek. hekon. Only here and Romans 8:20 .
against my will = being unwilling. Greek. akon . Only here.
a dispensation , &c, = I have been entrusted with (Greek. pisteuo. App-150 .) a stewardship. I am therefore in duty bound to fulfill it.
dispensation = stewardship, or administration, the work of an oikonomoa (1 Corinthians 4:1 ). Elsewhere, Luke 16:2 , Luke 16:3 , Luke 16:4 .Ephesians 1:10 ; Ephesians 3:2 . Col 1:25 . 1 Timothy 1:4 .
is committed . App-150 .
18.
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.
of Christ . The texts omit.
without charge = without cost or expense. Greek. adapanos. Only here. Compare dapane , cost (Luke 14:28 ), and dapanao, spend (Luke 15:14 ).
that, &c . Literally unto (Greek. eis) my not abusing.
abuse = use to the full. See 1 Corinthians 7:31 .
19.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
all =
all things , i.e. restrictions of meats, &c.
have . Omit.
made myself servant = enslaved myself. App-190 .
gain . Greek. kerdaino. See Acts 27:21 .
20.
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;
under . App-104 .
the law = law. The texts add, "Not as being myself under law".
21.
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.
without law . Greek. anomos. App-128 . Here used in the sense of Romans 2:12 , Romans 2:14 .
under the law . Greek. ennomos. See Acts 19:39 .
22.
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.
made = become.
some . App-124 .
23.
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
might be = may become.
partaker . Greek. sunkoinonos. See Romans 11:17 .
you = it, i.e. the gospel. Sharer in its triumphs.
24.
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
race = race-course. Greek. stadion. Elsewhere translated "furlong", the course being usually of this length.
prize . Greek. brabeion. Only here and Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:14 . Compare the verb, Colossians 3:15 . (rule).
So . i.e. as these runners do.
obtain = lay hold of. Greek. katalambano. See Acts 4:13 .
25.
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.
striveth for the mastery . Greek. agonizomai. See Luke 13:24 . The usual term for contending in the games.
is temperate = exercises self-control. Greek. enkrateuomai. See 1 Corinthians 7:9 . This refers to the severe training, extending over many months, before the contest.
to obtain = in order that (Greek. hina) they may receive, Same word as "receive" in 1 Corinthians 9:24 .
corruptible . Greek. phthartos. See Romans 1:23 .
crown . Greek. stephanos. See first occurance: Matthew 27:29 . The crown was a chaplet of wild olive, parsley, &c.
incorruptible . Greek. aphthartos. See Romans 1:23 . Compare 1 Peter 5:4 .
26.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
as . "As" should precede "not".
uncertainly . Greek. adelos. Only here. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:8 . 1 Timothy 6:17 . He runs with clear understanding of the conditions and object. See "one thing", Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:13 .
fight = fight with the fist, box. Greek. pukteuo. Only here. The noun pugme , fist, occ Mark 7:3 . In these contests it was more than boxing. Instead of a padded glove the hand was covered with the cestus, which consisted of leather bands, studded with pieces of metal.
as one, &c . Read "as one not beating the air". This was called skiamachia, shadow-fighting.
27.
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.
keep under . Greek. hupopiazo. See Luke 18:5 .
bring . . . into subjection = reduce to slavery. Greek. doulagogeo. Only here. Compare App-190 .
lest that by any means . Greek. mepos .
when, &c . = having preached. Greek. kerusso . App-121 . There is an appropriateness in using here this verb, "to act as a herald". The herald summons the competitors.
be = become, or prove to be.
a castaway = disapproved, or rejected (for the prize). Greek. adokimos. See Romans 1:28 .