1 Corinthians 9 13

1 Corinthians 9:13 kjv

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

1 Corinthians 9:13 nkjv

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 partake of the offerings of the altar?

1 Corinthians 9:13 niv

Don't you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?

1 Corinthians 9:13 esv

Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?

1 Corinthians 9:13 nlt

Don't you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.

1 Corinthians 9 verses

1 Corinthians 9 13 meaning

This verse presents two Old Testament examples from the Jewish temple system to establish a divine principle: those dedicated to spiritual service are entitled to receive their material sustenance from that very service. It highlights that Levites and priests, by God's own arrangement, were sustained through the temple's resources and sacrificial offerings as compensation for their exclusive dedication to sacred duties. This served as an undeniable precedent for the financial support of those who minister in the New Covenant.

1 Corinthians 9 13 Context

This verse is embedded in a lengthy defense by Paul of his apostolic authority and his right to financial support, found in 1 Corinthians 9. The Corinthian church questioned Paul's apostleship, perhaps because he did not accept material aid from them, which might have made him appear less "qualified" or perhaps suggested a lack of confidence in his ministry. Paul addresses various issues like lawsuits, marriage, and especially food sacrificed to idols (chapters 8-10). In the immediate context of chapter 9, Paul provides multiple illustrations (soldier, farmer, shepherd, ox) to demonstrate the inherent right of those who work to be sustained by their work. Verse 13 transitions to the most direct biblical precedent: the Old Testament temple system. Historically, this practice was central to the Mosaic Law, establishing the Levitical priesthood as a full-time, distinct caste whose sustenance was entirely derived from the tithes, offerings, and portions of sacrifices provided by the rest of Israel. This arrangement ensured their exclusive dedication to divine service, setting them apart without land inheritance.

1 Corinthians 9 13 Word analysis

• Do you not know (Οὐκ οἴδατε; Ouk oidate?)
  • A rhetorical question implying the audience should know this common or religiously understood principle. It assumes a baseline knowledge of Jewish practices among the Corinthians, either from their own Jewish background or through catechesis in the early church, which would have referenced Old Testament Law.
• that those who are employed (οἱ τὰ ἱερὰ ἐργαζόμενοι hoi ta hiera ergazomenoi)
  • Literally, "those who work the sacred things" or "those performing sacred services." This phrase refers generally to all temple workers, particularly the Levites, who were responsible for the broader administration, music, security, and various support roles within the temple precincts. It encompasses their labor and dedication to holy duties.
• in the temple service (τὰ ἱερά ta hiera)
  • "The sacred things," referring to the holy duties, objects, or services associated with the Temple in Jerusalem. It denotes the overall sacred environment and activities where these workers were engaged.
• get their food from the temple, (ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ ἐσθίουσιν ek tou hierou esthiousin)
  • Meaning their sustenance and provision come directly from the resources allocated to the temple. This includes general tithes, contributions, and designated portions of various offerings that were processed and distributed within the temple complex, supporting the numerous personnel.
• and those who serve (οἱ τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ προσεδρεύοντες hoi tō thysiastēriō prosédreúontes)
  • Literally, "those continually sitting before/attending to the altar." This verb implies a diligent, sustained, and close attendance. This refers more specifically to the priests (Kohanim) who had direct liturgical duties involving the offering of sacrifices. Their work was physically at the altar, representing Israel before God.
• at the altar (τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ tō thysiastēriō)
  • The place of sacrifice. In the Jerusalem Temple, this was the central bronze altar where animal and grain sacrifices were offered. Service here was considered the most sacred priestly function.
• share in the sacrificial offerings? (τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου συμμερίζονται tou thysiastēriou symmerízontai?)
  • "Share with" or "partake of" the altar itself, implying they receive a portion of what is offered on the altar. Specifically, portions of the sacrifices, like peace offerings, sin offerings, and grain offerings, were divinely allocated for the priests to eat as their designated provision, sanctified by their proximity to God and the holy act. This participation signified their entitlement to their share as a direct result of their sacred duty.

Words-group analysis:

• "those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple": This clause broadly covers the Levites and lower temple staff. Their comprehensive involvement in sacred duties warranted sustenance from the entire temple institution, often through the communal resources and tithes designated for its upkeep.
• "those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings": This more specific clause highlights the priests. Their direct participation in the sacrificial rites, considered the highest form of service, earned them a distinct share from the offerings themselves. It emphasizes the direct link between performing the sacred duty and receiving specific provisions. The dual example reinforces that spiritual workers at all levels of temple service received support, validating a broad principle for Christian ministers.

1 Corinthians 9 13 Bonus section

This verse, especially in tandem with 1 Cor 9:14, highlights an enduring principle of Christian stewardship: those who receive spiritual nourishment should provide material support for their spiritual providers. It's an economy rooted in covenant and divine instruction, not merely charity. The language "share in" (συμμερίζονται) signifies a mutual participation and ownership in the blessings and responsibilities of the sacred community, connecting givers to the sacred work they enable. The use of two distinct categories of temple workers (Levites vs. Priests) reinforces the breadth of application for different roles within the spiritual body, ensuring that both those in direct liturgical service and those in broader support roles are covered by this divine provision. This concept was often applied in early Christian communities where bishops, elders, and deacons, particularly those "ruling well" and dedicated to the Word, were explicitly provided for.

1 Corinthians 9 13 Commentary

Paul leverages a foundational principle from Old Testament Law, well-known to a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles: divine provision for divine service. He establishes that even under the Old Covenant, God explicitly ordained that those ministering in the temple—Levites and priests alike—were to be sustained by the temple's resources and offerings. This wasn't merely a cultural practice but a divinely established right, reflecting God's justice that labor in spiritual realms should yield material sustenance. By citing these examples, Paul provides an unassailable biblical precedent, reinforcing the legitimacy of an apostle's, or any full-time minister's, right to be supported by the people or institution they serve. It counters any notion that spiritual work negates the right to wages, thereby setting the stage for his explicit New Covenant command in verse 14. This principle allows ministers to devote themselves entirely to their spiritual calling without being burdened by secular concerns.

• Example: A modern pastor dedicated full-time to preaching and pastoring a congregation, just like ancient priests dedicated their lives to altar service, is entitled to receive financial support from the church members, enabling full devotion to their ministry.
• Example: A missionary giving their life to spreading the gospel overseas relies on financial gifts, mirroring the temple workers' reliance on the temple's provisions to carry out their sacred duties.