1 Corinthians 9:10 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 9:10 nkjv
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1 Corinthians 9:10 niv
Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.
1 Corinthians 9:10 esv
Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
1 Corinthians 9:10 nlt
Wasn't he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.
1 Corinthians 9 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? | Echoes labor and reward |
| Galatians 6:6 | Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. | Direct link to sharing |
| Luke 10:7 | And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. | Explicit statement of wages |
| 1 Timothy 5:18 | The Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." | Fulfills OT, links to support |
| Deuteronomy 25:4 | "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." | OT foundation of the principle |
| Numbers 18:21 | "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance, in return for their service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting." | OT precedent for service pay |
| Matthew 10:10 | nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, or staff, for the laborer is worthy of his food. | Jesus' instruction on provision |
| Romans 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased to do so, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to be ministering to them in material things. | Parallel argument for support |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:12 | We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, | Exhortation for respect |
| 1 Corinthians 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. | Highlights the spiritual labor |
| Acts 20:34 | I myself have shown you in every way, by working hard like this, that you must support the weak, and remember the words that the Lord Jesus said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ | Emphasis on mutual support |
| Philippians 4:16 | for even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again for my needs. | Personal example of support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. | Divine institution of support |
| Exodus 22:14 | If anyone borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or broken, or if the animal is taken away from it, not being there when it is lent, he shall make restitution. | Principle of rightful due |
| John 6:27 | Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give to you. | Contrast between spiritual and temporal labor |
| Romans 6:22 | But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you bear leads to sanctification, and its end eternal life. | The fruit of spiritual labor |
| Song of Solomon 8:12 | My vineyard, my own vineyard, is for me; you may keep the silver; as for its keepers, each must pay a thousand silver pieces. | Metaphor of labor and reward |
| Jeremiah 31:24 | They shall labor in it, and that without being ashamed. | Outcome of diligent labor |
| Colossians 3:23 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, | Principle for all work |
| Titus 3:14 | And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. | Outcome of practical Christian life |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 10 Meaning
This verse emphasizes that the expectation of a farmer tilling the soil is to receive a share of the harvest. Similarly, those who diligently serve in spreading the gospel should expect to be supported and provided for by the community they serve. It is about equitable recompense for labor invested in a sacred duty, rooted in the natural order of work and reward.
1 Corinthians 9 10 Context
This verse is part of an extended argument in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, where Paul defends his apostleship and his right to receive financial support for his ministry. He addresses the Corinthians' questioning or lack of support for him. Paul contrasts the privileges and rights he could claim as an apostle with the voluntary relinquishment of some of those rights for the sake of the gospel. He uses analogies of a soldier, a vineyard keeper, and a farmer to illustrate the principle that those who serve should be supported by those who benefit from their service. This specific verse builds upon the farmer analogy, grounding the expectation of support in the natural order of agricultural labor. The Corinthian church, in some instances, was not providing Paul with adequate financial support, prompting this detailed defense of his rights and the biblical basis for ministry support.
1 Corinthians 9 10 Word Analysis
Ἓ τις (ho tis): "that one who," "whoever." This refers to any person engaging in the described action.
ἀροτρᾷ (arotra): From ἀροτρόω (arotroō), meaning "to plow." This is the present active indicative of the verb "to plow," emphasizing the continuous action of tilling the soil. The plowing represents the diligent work and effort put into cultivating the land.
τοῦ ἐλπίζειν (tou elpizein): "of hoping." This is the genitive of the infinitive "to hope." It signifies the ground or basis for hope, which is the action of plowing. The hope is not unfounded but is connected to the work performed.
τοῦ μεταλαμβάνειν (tou metalambanein): "of partaking," "of sharing in." This is another genitive of the infinitive, linked with "elpizin" (hoping). It refers to the reception of a share.
ἀπὸ (apo): "from." This preposition indicates the source or origin of the share, which is the fruits of the labor.
τοῦ καρποῦ (tou karpou): "of the fruit." This is the genitive case, meaning "the fruit." It represents the product or yield of the plowed land.
Grouped analysis:
- Ἓ τις ἀροτρᾷ τοῦ ἐλπίζειν: "He who plows, ought to hope" or "The one who plows in hope." The structure links the action of plowing directly to the right to hope for a return.
- τὸν μεταλαμβάνειν ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ: "to partake of the fruit." This clearly states what the hope is for – a share in the results of the labor.
1 Corinthians 9 10 Bonus Section
The principle articulated here aligns with the concept of "Sowing and Reaping" found throughout scripture. It speaks to a fundamental order of cause and effect in both the natural and spiritual realms. The expectation of reward is not transactional in a base sense, but a reflection of the value and sustenance owed to invested labor, especially in service to God and His people. This principle also highlights the interdependence within the body of Christ, where those who are spiritually nourished have a responsibility to support those who provide that nourishment. This is not a matter of obligation that infringes on liberty, but a matter of stewardship and recognition of God's provision through the contributions of believers.
1 Corinthians 9 10 Commentary
Paul uses the common agricultural practice of plowing to illustrate a divine principle of reciprocal support. The farmer invests his labor, his resources, and his time into preparing the soil and planting. His act of plowing is not a futile gesture; it is done with the inherent expectation that his efforts will yield a harvest, of which he is rightfully entitled to a portion. This expectation is not presumptuous but a natural and just consequence of his work. In the spiritual realm, Paul is making the point that ministers who labor in planting the seeds of the Gospel, cultivating spiritual growth, and tending to the flock have a legitimate and divinely ordained expectation to be supported by those who benefit from this spiritual cultivation. Their labor is not for their own personal gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom, and it is just and right for the recipients of this spiritual fruit to contribute to the sustenance of those who labor among them. This is not a matter of earning wages like a mercenary, but of ensuring that those who dedicate themselves to this sacred work can continue to do so effectively, without the burden of pursuing their own livelihood separately.