1 Corinthians 9:12 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 9:12 nkjv
If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:12 niv
If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:12 esv
If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:12 nlt
If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.
1 Corinthians 9 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:4 | Do we not have the right to eat and drink? | Author's Right to Support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:5 | Do we not have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles... | Similar Rights of Apostles |
| 1 Corinthians 9:6 | Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? | Paul's Work Ethic |
| 1 Corinthians 9:7 | Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit?... | Analogies of Support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:8 | Do I speak these things as a man? Or does not the law also say these same things? | Legal Basis for Support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:10 | For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain."... | OT Support for Ministers |
| 1 Corinthians 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual seeds among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? | Reciprocity of Ministry |
| 1 Corinthians 9:13 | Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? | Temple Service and Support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel. | Command for Gospel Support |
| 1 Corinthians 9:15 | But I have used none of these things. Nor have I written these things that they should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that... | Paul's Voluntary Forfeiture |
| 1 Corinthians 9:16 | For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! | Boasting and Necessity of Preaching |
| 1 Corinthians 9:18 | What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel of Christ, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. | Gospel Preached Without Cost |
| Romans 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased to do so, and indeed they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to minister to them in material things. | Gentile Support for Jewish Believers |
| Galatians 6:6 | Let him who is taught the word share in all his goods with him who teaches. | Sharing with Teachers |
| 1 Timothy 5:17 | Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. | Honor for Elders |
| Deuteronomy 25:4 | You shall not muzzle the ox while it treads out the grain. | OT Precedent for Support |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:9 | For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. | Paul's Self-Support |
| Philippians 4:16 | For you sent aid once and again for my needs. | Corinthian Support Mention |
| 2 Corinthians 11:7 | Did I commit an offense in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? | Preaching Without Charge |
| 2 Corinthians 11:9 | And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied all my need. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will continue. | Avoiding Burden |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 12 Meaning
The apostle Paul asserts that the Corinthians have enjoyed the spiritual benefits and nourishment of his ministry. This has occurred because he, as an apostle, has rights and authority to receive material support for his labor. Despite having this legitimate claim and privilege to be supported by the church in Corinth, Paul has relinquished that right. He has chosen not to exercise his entitlement, doing so to avoid hindering the gospel of Christ, signifying his selfless dedication and commitment to spreading the message of salvation without personal advantage.
1 Corinthians 9 12 Context
This verse is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, where Paul defends his apostolic rights and privileges. He is addressing questions and criticisms raised by the Corinthian church regarding his authority and lifestyle. Specifically, the Corinthians may have been questioning Paul's lack of material support from them, perhaps influenced by opponents who sought to discredit him. Paul is arguing that while he has a right to be supported financially by the churches he serves, he has voluntarily relinquished this right for the sake of the gospel. This chapter builds on earlier discussions about disputing within the church and the conduct of believers, particularly concerning matters of conscience and ethical living in a pagan society. Paul's overall aim is to guide the Corinthians toward mature Christian conduct, demonstrating love, self-control, and a proper understanding of Christian freedom and responsibility.
1 Corinthians 9 12 Word Analysis
εἰ (ei): If.
- This conditional particle introduces a hypothetical statement or a possibility. It sets up a premise for the subsequent declaration.
οὐχ (ouch): not.
- A strong negation, indicating a lack or absence.
ὑμῖν (hymin): you (plural).
- Refers to the Corinthian believers as a group.
ἐστὶν (estin): is.
- The third-person singular present indicative of the verb "to be," indicating existence or state.
βαρύτερος (baruterös): heavier, more burdensome.
- The comparative form of the adjective "barus." Here it means "more burdensome" or "a greater claim/right."
τῇ (tēi): the (feminine dative singular definite article).
- Refers to the spiritual aspect previously mentioned or implied.
πνευματικ ῷ (pneumatikō): spiritual.
- Relating to the spirit or the things of the spirit.
καρπ ῷ (karpō): fruit, harvest, benefit, return.
- The dative singular of "karpos." It signifies the produce or benefit derived from a labor or sowing. In this context, it refers to the spiritual blessings and benefits the Corinthians have received from Paul's ministry.
λόγον (logon): account, reason, claim, right, word.
- The accusative singular of "logos." It refers to a reasoned claim, a legal right, or the rightful demand one has. Paul is saying he has a right to reap a spiritual harvest or benefit from them.
ἄν (an): particle used with past subjunctive or indicative.
- Used here to indicate that if the premise (of receiving a spiritual harvest) is true, then the conclusion (reaping material fruit) would also logically follow or is within bounds.
ἀπαιτ έω (apaitō): to ask for, demand, require.
- The infinitive form of the verb. Paul's implication is that it would not be an unreasonable demand for him to expect to receive material support.
Group of words:
- "εἰ οὐχ ὑμῖν ἐστὶν βαρύτερος" - "if it is not more burdensome to you." This rhetorical question implies that it is not burdensome.
- "τῇ πνευματικῷ καρπῷ" - "by the spiritual fruit." This signifies the spiritual results of his ministry.
- "ἄν ἀπαιτέω λόγον" - "that I might ask for a right/claim." The structure suggests a legitimate, though unexercised, claim.
1 Corinthians 9 12 Bonus Section
The principle Paul outlines here, that those who labor in spiritual things have a right to be supported by those who benefit from those spiritual things, is a foundational concept for church funding and ministry support throughout Christian history. This reciprocal relationship is often termed the "law of sowing and reaping" in a spiritual context, mirroring agricultural and other natural principles described in Scripture. Paul's self-sacrifice in not claiming his rights ultimately demonstrates a higher form of gospel integrity and selfless love, preventing any appearance of ulterior motives and preserving the purity of his message and ministry in the eyes of the Corinthians and others. His approach emphasizes that ministry is a giving endeavor, both spiritually and, when necessary, by example, in enduring hardship for the sake of the message.
1 Corinthians 9 12 Commentary
Paul skillfully employs rhetorical argumentation by presenting a perceived imbalance to the Corinthians. He highlights that the spiritual fruit (i.e., the blessings and benefits they have received from his ministry) is substantial. Therefore, he implies, it is not unreasonable or unduly burdensome for him to expect some form of material return or support from them. He contrasts the spiritual investment with a potential material reception, positioning his claim for support as perfectly legitimate and consistent with the natural order of things, particularly as demonstrated in various analogies throughout the chapter. This underscores his principled stance in willingly forgoing such rights, not out of an absence of claim, but out of deliberate choice for the sake of the gospel's advance.