1 Corinthians 9 6

1 Corinthians 9:6 kjv

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

1 Corinthians 9:6 nkjv

Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

1 Corinthians 9:6 niv

Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

1 Corinthians 9:6 esv

Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

1 Corinthians 9:6 nlt

Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

1 Corinthians 9 verses

1 Corinthians 9 6 meaning

First Corinthians 9:6 presents a rhetorical question from the Apostle Paul, challenging a perceived double standard within the Corinthian church. Paul, along with Barnabas, apparently faced an expectation that they, unlike other apostles, should not receive financial support but should instead labor with their own hands for their sustenance. The verse implies that Paul and Barnabas indeed possessed the same apostolic right to be supported by those they ministered to, as did other apostles, and thus were questioning why this right seemed uniquely denied or expected to be foregone by them alone. Paul is asserting his full apostolic authority and the legitimacy of his claims to support.

1 Corinthians 9 6 Context

First Corinthians 9:6 is part of a larger section (1 Cor 9:1-27) where Paul passionately defends his apostleship and explains his personal conduct. The immediate context of chapter 9 addresses a series of rhetorical questions where Paul asserts his apostolic rights and freedoms, particularly the right to be financially supported by the churches he served. He uses various analogies – soldier, farmer, shepherd, oxen treading grain, Old Testament priests – to firmly establish that Christian ministers have a legitimate divine and customary right to receive material provision from their spiritual beneficiaries. This was likely in response to specific criticisms or doubts within the Corinthian church about Paul's authority, possibly arising from the fact that he often worked to support himself, unlike other apostles (or "false apostles" who perhaps eagerly took support). Historically, manual labor was often considered ignoble in Greco-Roman society, and Paul's self-sufficiency could have been misunderstood as a sign of lesser status or lack of legitimate authority, or perhaps exploited by opponents. Conversely, Jewish rabbis often practiced a trade alongside their teaching, making Paul's approach understandable from that perspective.

1 Corinthians 9 6 Word analysis

• Or is it only I (οὐκ... μόνον ἐγὼ / ouk... monon egō): The initial "Or is it only" signals a rhetorical question expecting a negative answer. "Only I" highlights the apparent exclusivity of this expectation, making it seem that Paul is uniquely targeted.
• and Barnabas (καὶ Βαρνάβας / kai Barnabas): The inclusion of Barnabas indicates that this expectation or criticism was not directed at Paul alone but also at his well-known co-laborer, further strengthening the claim of a discriminatory burden.
• who lack the right (οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν / ouk echomen exousian): Literally, "do not we have authority/right?" The Greek `οὐκ` (not) at the beginning of the question indicates an expected negative answer, effectively meaning, "It is not true that we lack the right." This affirms Paul and Barnabas do indeed possess this right, directly countering the implied assumption of the Corinthians. `Ἐξουσίαν` (exousian) means "authority," "right," or "privilege," emphasizing the legitimacy and inherent entitlement of apostles.
• to refrain from working? (μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι / mē ergazesthai): This refers specifically to working for one's own material support, usually through manual labor. The phrase "refrain from working" implies the right not to engage in such labor, which necessarily means they have the right to be supported by others.

• "Only I and Barnabas": This phrase emphasizes the selective and perhaps unfair imposition of a particular expectation. Paul draws attention to a perceived double standard where other apostles apparently exercised their right to be supported, but he and Barnabas were somehow excluded or expected to forgo this right. This discrimination underscores the challenge to their apostolic standing.
• "Lack the right to refrain from working?": This complex phrase in Greek carries significant weight. Paul uses a double negative (negative question + negative infinitive) which affirms his possession of the right. The core meaning is, "Don't we have the right not to work (i.e., to be financially supported like other ministers)? The rhetorical nature points to an affirmative answer, highlighting their undeniable claim to support. This challenges the notion that working was an apostolic requirement for them.

1 Corinthians 9 6 Bonus section

This verse subtly reveals tension between apostolic rights and practical ministry challenges in the early church. Paul's rhetorical questions throughout 1 Corinthians 9 demonstrate that issues of ministerial compensation and the expectations placed upon spiritual leaders are not new. While Paul asserts his right to support, his choice not to consistently exercise it serves as a powerful model of flexibility and self-sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, aiming to remove any potential stumbling block. It implies that true gospel work should never be hindered by financial considerations, whether through the acceptance or refusal of support, depending on what best serves the proclamation of Christ. This passage challenges believers to consider the motives and outcomes of their actions concerning ministerial provision.

1 Corinthians 9 6 Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:6 functions as a sharp rhetorical challenge to the Corinthians' implied assumption or demand concerning Paul and Barnabas. Paul has spent the preceding verses establishing the universally acknowledged rights of apostles, including their claim to receive financial support. Here, he specifically asks why this privilege seems uniquely denied to or expected to be relinquished by himself and Barnabas. He is not stating they lack the right; rather, through a rhetorical question, he asserts that they do indeed possess the same apostolic authority and entitlements as any other apostle to be supported, thereby freed from the necessity of secular labor. This verse underscores Paul's assertion of his full apostolic status and highlights his subsequent voluntary decision to forgo this right for the greater good of the gospel, rather than from a lack of authority.