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 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | So also the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. | Direct Command |
| Numbers 18:8-10 | Then the LORD said to Aaron, "Behold, I have given you charge of the contributions due to me of all the hallowed gifts of the people of Israel. To you and to your sons I have given them as a portion forever. This shall be yours of the most holy things, reserved from the fire. Every sin offering of theirs, every guilt offering of theirs, which they offer to the LORD, shall be most holy. To you it shall belong, and to your sons. Moreover, you may eat of the most holy things; every male of your house may eat of it. It shall be holy to you. | Old Testament Priesthood Provisions |
| Deuteronomy 18:3 | "This is to be the tradition from the priests from the people, from those who offer sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they are to give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. | Levitical Priests' Share |
| Matthew 10:9-10 | Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. | Jesus's Instructions to Disciples |
| Luke 10:7 | And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not move from house to house. | Jesus's Instructions to the Seventy |
| Acts 18:2-3 | And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all Jews to leave Rome. And he went to them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. | Paul's Example of Self-Support |
| 2 Thessalonians 3:10 | For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” | Principle of Work and Provision |
| 1 Samuel 2:13 | And the custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come while the meat was boiling, with a fork of three teeth in his hand, | Levitical Priesthood Service |
| Hebrews 13:10 | We have an altar from which the tent workers have no right to eat. | Contrasting Priesthood |
| 1 Corinthians 9:6 | or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? | Paul's Personal Ministry Practice |
| 1 Corinthians 9:7 | Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating its fruit? Who tends a flock without receiving milk from the flock? | Analogies of Labor and Reward |
| Malachi 3:8 | Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. | Tithing and Offerings |
| 1 Corinthians 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we should reap material things from you? | Spiritual Labor, Material Support |
| Galatians 6:6 | Let the one who is taught the word share all his goods with the one who teaches. | Sharing with Teachers |
| Romans 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased to do so, and indeed they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. | Gentile Support for Jewish Believers |
| 1 Timothy 5:17-18 | Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." | Support for Elders |
| Philippians 4:15-16 | And you Philippians know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help once and again for my needs. | Philippian Support for Paul |
| 1 Corinthians 3:9 | For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. | Partnership in Ministry |
| Acts 4:32-35 | Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed that the property he possessed was his own, but instead they shared all things in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. For there was no want among them, as all who possessed fields or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what they sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any need arose. | Early Church Communal Sharing |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 13 Meaning
Those who serve the altar eat of the offerings of the altar. This principle establishes a connection between work and provision, where those who dedicate themselves to sacred service receive their sustenance from the very things they serve.
1 Corinthians 9 13 Context
This verse is part of the Apostle Paul's defense of his apostolic rights and authority in 1 Corinthians chapter 9. He is addressing concerns within the Corinthian church about his ministry practices. In the preceding verses, Paul uses analogies of soldiers, farmers, and shepherds to illustrate that those who serve should be supported by their service. He has also affirmed his right to financial support from the churches he ministers to, a right that he often waived for the sake of the gospel (9:12). This particular verse builds on these arguments, grounding the principle of support in the existing system of the Old Testament Levitical priesthood, which was directly tied to serving God at the altar.
1 Corinthians 9 13 Word analysis
"Are" (Greek: εἰσί (eisi)): The present indicative form of the verb "to be." It asserts a factual existence or reality.
"those" (Greek: οἱ (hoi)): The definite article "the" with the masculine plural of the relative pronoun "who." It refers to specific individuals previously identified or understood from the context.
"who" (Greek: ἐσθίοντες (esthíontes)): This is the present active participle of the verb ἐσθίω (esthíō), meaning "to eat." The present participle indicates a continuous or ongoing action. Here, it modifies "those" and describes their action: "those who are eating."
"eat" (Greek: προσκαρτεροῦσιν (proskarterousin)): This is the present active indicative form of the verb προσκαρτερέω (proskarteréō), which means "to be devoted to," "to persevere in," or "to serve faithfully." The phrase "eat of" in English comes from this singular verb in Greek, conveying the idea of sustenance received from service.
"of" (Greek: ἐκ (ek)): A preposition that denotes origin, source, or out from. It signifies that what is eaten comes from a specific place or source.
"the altar" (Greek: τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου (tou thusiastēríou)): The genitive singular of θυσιαστήριον (thusiastērion), meaning "altar." The altar was the place of sacrifice and offering in ancient Israelite worship. In this context, it symbolizes the place of divine service and worship.
Grouped words:
- "those who eat of the altar": This phrase emphasizes a reciprocal relationship inherent in the Old Testament sacrificial system. The priests, through their service at the altar, were entitled to partake in the sacrifices offered. This sets a precedent for the support of those who minister in the New Covenant.
1 Corinthians 9 13 Bonus Section
The Greek word translated as "eat of" is a single verb, προσκαρτερέω (proskarteréō), which carries a much richer meaning than simply consuming food. It conveys devotion, perseverance, and faithful dedication to a task or person. Therefore, the phrase more accurately reflects that those who are faithfully devoted to the altar (i.e., to serving God at the place of worship and sacrifice) are sustained by that very devotion and the offerings associated with it. This adds depth to the argument, linking spiritual faithfulness directly to material provision as a divinely ordained outcome. This also echoes the idea found in John 4:34, where Jesus speaks of His "food" being to do the will of Him who sent Him and to finish His work. The sustenance derived from service is spiritual and deeply tied to obedience.
1 Corinthians 9 13 Commentary
Paul establishes a clear principle rooted in divine law. Just as the Levitical priests, who ministered at the earthly tabernacle's altar, were provided for by the sacrificial offerings, so too should those who proclaim the gospel be supported by the work of the gospel. This isn't a mere suggestion but a divine order illustrated by the Old Testament system. The inference is that those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service have a legitimate claim to material sustenance from those who benefit from that service. This underscores the value and dignity of the ministry, ensuring that those engaged in it can do so without being unduly burdened by secular labor, thereby enabling a focus on spiritual duties.
- The principle is about sustenance for service, not exploitation.
- It reflects God’s established order for His ministers throughout biblical history.
- Paul's use of this argument legitimizes his claim for support from the Corinthians, even though he often waived it.