1 Corinthians 9:11 kjv
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
1 Corinthians 9:11 nkjv
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
1 Corinthians 9:11 niv
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
1 Corinthians 9:11 esv
If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
1 Corinthians 9:11 nlt
Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren't we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?
1 Corinthians 9 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:10 | Is it not so? 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. | Legal right of support (Echoes Deuteronomy 25:4) |
| Galatians 6:6 | Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. | Reciprocal sharing of blessings |
| Romans 15:27 | It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. | Mutual obligation between spiritual and material |
| 1 Timothy 5:18 | The labourer is worthy of his hire. | Just compensation for ministry |
| Matthew 10:10 | Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. | Apostolic provision based on need |
| Luke 10:7 | And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. | Spiritual worker deserves earthly support |
| Philippians 4:16 | For ye sent once and again unto my necessity. | Corinthian church's past support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:13 | Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the temple, and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? | Analogy of Temple workers receiving provision |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. | Divine instruction for gospel preachers' support |
| Deuteronomy 25:4 | Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. | Old Testament principle of fair return for labor |
| Malachi 3:8-10 | Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. | Principle of returning to God what is due |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. | Blessing for honoring God with possessions |
| 2 Corinthians 9:7 | Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. | Principle of cheerful and willing giving |
| Acts 4:32-35 | And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. | Early church sharing of resources |
| Romans 11:17 | And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; | Gentiles sharing in spiritual blessings of Israel |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:12 | And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; | Recognizing and respecting spiritual leaders |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: | Apostles ministering spiritual gifts to the church |
| 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 | Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. | Believers' rightful access to all spiritual resources |
| 2 Corinthians 12:14 | And, behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome unto you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. | Paul's prioritization of people over provision |
| 2 Corinthians 9:11 | Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. | Result of the reciprocal giving |
| Acts 20:33-35 | Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. | Paul's example of labor and self-sufficiency |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 11 Meaning
This verse states that if spiritual people have sown their "carnal things" among believers, it is no great matter for the receiver to reap their "spiritual things." The Apostle Paul is using an analogy to defend his apostolic rights and provision, asserting that it is a legitimate and equitable exchange for believers to support him materially because he has ministered spiritual blessings to them.
1 Corinthians 9 11 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is defending his apostolic rights. He addresses the Corinthians' questioning or lack of understanding regarding his ministry and provision. He has just illustrated his right to be supported by drawing parallels with Old Testament principles (like the ox treading the corn) and the practice of temple workers. He's emphasizing that those who serve in spiritual matters are worthy of material support from those who benefit spiritually. This verse specifically acts as a summation and justification for this principle.
1 Corinthians 9 11 Word Analysis
εἰ (ei): If. A conditional particle.
οὖν (oun): Therefore, then. A conjunction indicating a logical conclusion or consequence.
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis): We. Refers to Paul and other apostles or fellow ministers.
ἐσπείραμεν (espeiramen): We have sown. Aorist active indicative of σπείρω (speirō), to sow. Refers to the spiritual blessings, teachings, and efforts invested by the apostles.
ὑμῖν (hymin): To you. Refers to the Corinthian believers.
πνευματικὰ (pneumatika): Spiritual things. Refers to the spiritual blessings, knowledge, guidance, and eternal benefits the Corinthians received through Paul's ministry.
σαρκικὰ (sarkika): Carnal things; earthly things. Refers to material or temporal provisions like food, lodging, and financial support.
τὰ (ta): The (neuter plural definite article).
εἰ (ei): If.
ἄρα (ara): Then, therefore, consequently. A particle that often implies a logical consequence or inference.
πολυτέλειαν (polyteleian): Abundant harvest, rich return. Accusative singular of πολυτέλεια (polyteleia), meaning abundance, luxury, or sumptuousness. Here it means a large and abundant return or reaping.
μεγάλως (megalōs): Greatly, largely. Adverb, from μέγας (megas), great. It modifies the action of reaping or is used with a preposition implicitly.
μὲν (men): Indeed, truly. Used in a correlative or adversative sense, often paired with "de" (but).
τῶν (tōn): Of the (genitive plural definite article).
ὑμῶν (hymōn): Your.
ἐν (en): In, among, by. Preposition indicating source or means.
οὐχ (ouch): Not.
χάριν (charin): Grace, favor; but here likely means 'as a privilege' or 'in proportion to'. From χάρις (charis).
τῆς (tēs): The (genitive feminine singular definite article).
παρουσίας (parousias): Presence. Genitive singular of παρουσία (parousia), presence. Referring to the spiritual presence and impact of the apostles.
Grouped Words: "spiritual things" (πνευματικὰ) refers to the intangible benefits of the Gospel. "carnal things" (σαρκικὰ) refers to the tangible needs of the minister. The phrase "sown unto you spiritual things... reap their carnal things" creates an analogy where spiritual labor yields material reward. "If ... then reap their carnal things" highlights the reciprocity and fairness of the arrangement. "reap their carnal things ... it is a small thing" suggests that the material return for spiritual work is not an excessive demand.
1 Corinthians 9 11 Bonus Section
The phrase "carnal things" (σαρκικὰ) is sometimes misunderstood to imply that the physical provisions are inherently base or sinful. However, in this context, it simply denotes the earthly, material, or temporal aspects of life, in contrast to the heavenly and eternal nature of spiritual things (πνευματικὰ). The "reaping" is not a form of exploitation but a divinely sanctioned mechanism for sustaining the ministry. Paul's defense here is not primarily about his personal entitlement, but about upholding the principle that the Gospel ministry deserves to be supported so that its effectiveness is not hindered by lack of provision. His willingness to forgo these rights in some instances (as seen elsewhere in his epistles) further underscores his selflessness, while his defense of the principle here protects the legitimate rights of all Gospel workers.
1 Corinthians 9 11 Commentary
Paul asserts that the Corinthians' provision for his needs is a natural and deserved response to the spiritual blessings they have received from him. He argues that just as he has "sown" spiritual gifts, teachings, and ministry to them, it is only fitting and equitable for them to "reap" or provide for his material needs. The term "carnal things" refers to worldly or physical necessities, while "spiritual things" refers to the divine benefits of the gospel. Paul contends that this exchange is not a burden or an overreach but a reasonable and justly deserved reciprocity, "a small thing" compared to the magnitude of the spiritual benefits conferred. This supports the principle of those who labor in the gospel being supported by the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). It underscores a covenantal relationship where spiritual investment merits material support, fostering mutual benefit and recognizing the value of the spiritual service rendered. It emphasizes that such support should not be viewed as a debt owed but as a joyous expression of gratitude for spiritual riches.