1 Corinthians 9:5 kjv
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 9:5 nkjv
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 9:5 niv
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 9:5 esv
Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 9:5 nlt
Don't we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord's brothers do, and as Peter does?
1 Corinthians 9 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:5 | Do we not have authority to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles | Right of ministers to be supported |
| Matthew 19:4-6 | Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female? | Marriage ordained by God |
| 1 Corinthians 7:2 | But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife | Practicality of marriage for leaders |
| 1 Timothy 3:2, 12 | Must be above reproach, the husband of one wife… Similarly, deacons must be dignified | Qualifications for leadership |
| Titus 1:5-6 | For this reason I left you in Crete, that you might set right what remains and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife | Appointment of married elders |
| 1 Peter 5:2-3 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… not under compulsion, but willingly | Duty and example of shepherds |
| Acts 4:23-24 | When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them…" | Apostolic unity in practice |
| Mark 1:29-31 | And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Peter's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and helped her up, lifting her out of bed. And the fever left her, and she began to serve them. | Jesus associated with married disciples |
| 1 Corinthians 7:1-9 | Concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. | Discussion on marriage and singleness |
| 1 Corinthians 1:11-17 | For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is each of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." | Paul addressing divisions within the church |
| 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 | If to others I am not an apostle, to you at least I am. For you yourselves are my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who would examine me is this: Do I not have the right to eat and drink? | Paul defending his apostolic authority |
| Galatians 2:9 | And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. | Apostolic agreement and recognition |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | Likewise, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. | Divine provision for gospel workers |
| Luke 10:7 | And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. | Principle of financial support |
| Romans 15:24 | though I hoped to come to you on my way to Spain, and to be helped by you on my journey there, after I had enjoyed your company for a time. | Apostolic travel and fellowship |
| 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 the 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. | Ministry involving married couples |
| 1 Corinthians 7:39 | A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. | Conditions for marriage and remarriage |
| 1 Corinthians 7:8 | To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain as I am. | Paul's view on singleness |
| 1 Timothy 5:14 | So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, give no occasion to the adversary for slander. | Benefits of marriage for specific groups |
| Ephesians 5:22-33 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. | Marriage as a reflection of Christ |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 5 Meaning
The verse emphasizes the right of apostles and believers, like the brothers of the Lord and Cephas (Peter), to be accompanied by a believing wife while ministering. This right is presented as a normative practice among those in spiritual leadership. It highlights the legitimacy and appropriateness of married leaders in the early church.
1 Corinthians 9 5 Context
This verse appears in 1 Corinthians chapter 9, where the Apostle Paul is defending his apostolic rights and practices. He has been addressing issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts and leadership. In this chapter, Paul particularly focuses on his own apostolic authority and how he has sometimes forgone certain rights for the sake of the gospel. He establishes that he and other apostles have the right to financial support and to be accompanied by their wives while serving. This is part of a larger argument demonstrating his commitment to the Corinthians and his genuine apostleship. The mention of "brothers of the Lord" and "Cephas" (Peter) situates this practice within the early leadership circle of the church, highlighting its normative nature.
1 Corinthians 9 5 Word Analysis
"Or" (G4217 -
ē): This conjunction indicates an alternative or a comparison. Here, it links the question of taking a believing wife with the preceding right to eat and drink (9:4)."We" (G2248 -
hēmeis): This pronoun refers to Paul and his fellow apostles, including the unnamed "brothers of the Lord" and "Cephas.""Do not have" (G2192 -
echō): Means to possess or to have as a right. The question is whether they lack this entitlement."Authority" (G1849 -
exousia): This word denotes the right, power, or privilege to do something. It implies a legitimate claim based on their apostleship."To take along" (G3920 -
paralambanō): Signifies bringing along, accompanying, or taking with oneself. It specifically refers to bringing one's wife."A wife" (G1135 -
gynē): A woman; here, it specifically means a wife."Believing" (G4100 -
pistos): This adjective modifies "wife," emphasizing that the wife is a fellow believer. This likely meant she was also part of the Christian community."As do the rest" (G2532 -
kai+ G3068 -hoi loipoi): "Kai" means "and," and "hoi loipoi" means "the remaining ones" or "the rest.""Of the apostles" (G652 -
apostolōn): Refers to the apostles."And brothers of the Lord" (G80 -
adelphos+ G2962 -kyrios): "Adelphos" means brother, and "kyrios" means Lord. This refers to Jesus' biological brothers (James, Joses, Simon, and Judas) who became believers and leaders in the church."And Cephas" (G2786 -
Kēfas): The Aramaic name for Peter, one of the chief apostles.Group of words analysis: "brothers of the Lord and Cephas": This group represents respected and authoritative figures within the early church, alongside the apostles. Their practices served as a normative example. The inclusion of Jesus' brothers highlights the unique continuity and connection to Jesus' earthly family within the leadership structure. Cephas (Peter) was a foundational apostle, making his practice a strong precedent.
1 Corinthians 9 5 Bonus Section
The context suggests that Paul might be subtly addressing a misinterpretation or criticism from some Corinthians regarding his own marital status or the appropriateness of married leaders. While Paul himself was unmarried by choice (1 Cor 7:7-8), he firmly defended the rights of other ministers to be married. This passage does not advocate for universal mandatory marriage for all ministers, but rather validates marriage as a legitimate and supported lifestyle for those called to full-time gospel ministry, exemplified by key figures in the early church. The "believing wife" also implies that the wife herself was a disciple, sharing in the faith and perhaps even participating in the ministry in supportive ways, similar to how Priscilla ministered with her husband Aquila (Acts 18:26).
1 Corinthians 9 5 Commentary
Paul asserts that the apostles, including himself, have a legitimate right to be accompanied by their Christian wives during ministry. This is presented not as an option but as a common and accepted practice among the apostles themselves, as evidenced by the examples of Jesus' brothers and Peter. This implies that a married life was not considered a hindrance to effective apostolic ministry. Instead, the presence of a believing wife was a recognized aspect of their service. Paul is using this as an argument to counter any accusations that he was not acting as a legitimate apostle, or perhaps to assert his right to be supported financially, as is often linked with those who travel and minister. The emphasis on the wife being a "believing" wife suggests that her presence contributed positively to the ministry environment and reflected the unity of the faith.