1 Corinthians 9:7 kjv
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
1 Corinthians 9:7 nkjv
Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?
1 Corinthians 9:7 niv
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?
1 Corinthians 9:7 esv
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
1 Corinthians 9:7 nlt
What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn't have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn't allowed to drink some of the milk?
1 Corinthians 9 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 9:13 | Do you not know that those who minister in the temple eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of what is offered at the altar? | Supporting priestly provision |
| 1 Corinthians 9:14 | Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. | The Lord's command for support |
| 1 Timothy 5:18 | For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." | Scripture supporting laborers |
| Galatians 6:6 | Now let him who is taught the word share all his goods with him who teaches the word. | Sharing with teachers |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 | But, we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. | Respecting laborers |
| Matthew 10:9-10 | "Do not equip yourselves with gold, silver, or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food." | Jesus’ instructions to apostles |
| Luke 10:7 | "But remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house." | Jesus' instructions to the seventy |
| Numbers 18:21 | "I give to all the Levites as their inheritance every tithe in Israel, for the service that they render, the service of the tent of meeting." | Old Testament provision for Levites |
| Deuteronomy 18:3 | And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep. They shall give to the priest the shoulder and the cheeks and the maw. | Old Testament provision for priests |
| Proverbs 3:9-10 | Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. | Honoring God with wealth |
| Deuteronomy 28:8 | The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you put your hand to, and he will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. | God's blessing on provision |
| Matthew 23:23 | "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." | Emphasis on supporting religious leaders |
| Philippians 4:17 | Not that I seek a gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. | Paul's focus on fruitfulness |
| Romans 15:27 | Yes, they were pleased to do so, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual things, they ought also to be ministering to them in material things. | Gentiles' obligation to Jewish believers |
| 1 Timothy 6:17-19 | As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. | Instructions to the wealthy on generosity |
| Exodus 25:2 | "Speak to the Israelites, that they take for me a contribution from every man willing of heart you shall take for my contribution." | Voluntary contributions for the sanctuary |
| 1 Corinthians 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. | Partnership in God's work |
| 1 Corinthians 9:12 | If others share this rightful claim over you, should not we have much more? | Precedent for legitimate claims |
| 1 Corinthians 9:11 | If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap your material things? | Paul's spiritual sowing and material reaping |
| Acts 4:34-35 | There was no one among them who lacked, for all who owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what they sold and laid them at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. | Early church’s practice of sharing |
| 1 Corinthians 16:2 | On the first day of the week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, wherever you live, so that collections may not be made when I come. | Regular financial support |
| 2 Corinthians 11:8 | I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you. | Paul’s financial self-denial (for others) |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 7 Meaning
The apostle Paul asks a rhetorical question to illustrate his point: does anyone serve as a soldier at their own expense? This implies that soldiers have a right to be supported by those for whom they fight. Similarly, those who dedicate themselves to serving God through the ministry have a right to be supported financially by the community they serve.
1 Corinthians 9 7 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is defending his apostolic rights and privileges, particularly his right to receive financial support for his ministry. He contrasts his approach with some of the Judaizers who might have questioned his authority or motives. Paul willingly abstains from exercising some of his rights (like marrying and being supported by the church) to avoid hindering the gospel. He uses the analogy of soldiers, farmers, and those who tend flocks, all of whom are typically provided for by their work. This verse is part of his argument that those who minister the gospel have a right to be supported by the gospel. He's addressing the Corinthian believers' understanding of supporting those who serve them spiritually.
1 Corinthians 9 7 Word Analysis
- Ἆρα (Ara): This is an interrogative particle, typically used to introduce a question expecting a "no" answer (a negative question) or to express surprise or mild astonishment. It sets the tone for a rhetorical question.
- οὐ (ou): A simple negative particle meaning "not." It negates the following word.
- τις (tis): An indefinite pronoun, meaning "anyone" or "someone."
- στρατεύεται (strateuetai): From the verb "strateuomai," which means "to serve as a soldier," "to campaign," or "to do military service." It implies a commitment and a difficult, often unrewarded, service.
- ἐφ᾽ (eph'): A preposition that can mean "upon," "at," "on account of," or "at the expense of." Here, combined with "idíois" (his own), it signifies "at his own expense."
- ᾧ (hōi): A relative pronoun in the dative case, meaning "who" or "whom." It refers back to the subject (someone).
- ἰδίοις (idiois): The neuter plural of the adjective "idios," meaning "one's own," "private," or "personal." Here, it modifies "ōphlēma," meaning "his own expenses."
- ὀφλήματι (ophlēmati): From the noun "ophlēma," meaning "a debt," "a charge," "an offense," or "a gain." In this context, with the preposition "eph'" and the possessive "idiois," it translates to "at his own expenses" or "for his own gain/wages."
Word Group Analysis
- "Ἆρα οὐ τις στρατεύεται ἐφ᾽ ᾧ ἰδίοις ὀφλήματι;" This entire phrase forms a rhetorical question designed to draw an obvious conclusion. The structure implies that it is absurd to think that a soldier serves at his own expense, or for his own profit without receiving support. The expected answer is "No, of course not."
1 Corinthians 9 7 Bonus Section
The analogy of the soldier is potent because military service in the ancient world, like today, involved significant commitment, hardship, and often the risk of life. The soldiers were compensated by the entity they served to enable them to continue their duty without the constant burden of personal financial worry. Paul's comparison also resonates with the Roman culture in which many of the Corinthian believers lived, where military service and its associated support systems were well-understood. The underlying principle is that service, particularly dedicated and costly service, warrants adequate provision from those who benefit from it. This aligns with the Old Testament principle of the Levites and priests being supported by tithes and offerings.
1 Corinthians 9 7 Commentary
Paul uses the universally understood analogy of military service to establish a fundamental principle of mutual support in any engaged endeavor, particularly one involving service and dedication. A soldier enlisted in a campaign is provided for by the state or the authority for whom they fight. They are supplied with food, pay, and provisions, and it would be considered unjust and absurd for them to bear the full cost of their service personally.
This common understanding serves as a natural bridge for Paul's argument that those who labor in the ministry of the gospel should also be supported by the community to whom they minister. It's not an issue of greed or entitlement, but a matter of fairness and a divinely established principle for sustaining those who dedicate their lives to spiritual service. Paul, by refraining from exercising this right in Corinth, demonstrated his selflessness but also implicitly highlighted the impropriety of a church that did not provide for its spiritual leaders. The core message is that the provision for spiritual laborers is a righteous obligation.