1 Corinthians Chapter 9

Updated: September 14, 2025

The Rights of the Apostles

(Deuteronomy 18:1-8)

1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7Who 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?

8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do 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? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Paul a Servant to All

19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Run Your Race to Win

24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Rights of an Apostle
(Deuteronomy 18:1–8)

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this. 4 Have we no right to eat and to drink? 5 Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? 7 What soldier ever serves at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard, and doesn’t eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock, and doesn’t drink from the flock’s milk?

8 Do I speak these things according to the ways of men? Or doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares, 10 or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope. 11 If we sowed to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your fleshly things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, don’t we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar? 14 Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.

15 But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don’t preach the Good News. 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

Paul the Servant to All

19 For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. 23 Now I do this for the sake of the Good News, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

Run Your Race to Win

24 Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, that you may win. 25 Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air, 27 but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

The Rights of an Apostle
(Deuteronomy 18:1–8)

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? 2 Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who scrutinize me: 4 Have we no right to food and to drink? 5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, a as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? b 6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living? c

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?

8 Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” d Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you? 12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.

16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility. 18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.

Paul the Servant to All

19 Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. 21 To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

Run Your Race to Win

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. 26 Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. 27 No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Footnotes:

5 a Literally take along a sister—a wife—
5 b That is, Peter
6 c Literally Or is it only Barnabas and I who do not have authority not to work?
9 d Deuteronomy 25:4

The Rights of the Apostles

(Deuteronomy 18:1-8)

1Am not I an apostle? am not I free? Jesus Christ our Lord have I not seen? my work are not ye in the Lord? 2if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3My defence to those who examine me in this; 4have we not authority to eat and to drink? 5have we not authority a sister -- a wife -- to lead about, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority -- not to work? 7who doth serve as a soldier at his own charges at any time? who doth plant a vineyard, and of its fruit doth not eat? or who doth feed a flock, and of the milk of the flock doth not eat?

8According to man do I speak these things? or doth not also the law say these things? 9for in the law of Moses it hath been written, 'thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care? 10or because of us by all means doth He say it? yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading ought of his hope to partake in hope. 11If we to you the spiritual things did sow -- great is it if we your fleshly things do reap? 12if others do partake of the authority over you -- not we more? but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no hindrance to the good news of the Christ. 13Have ye not known that those working about the things of the temple -- of the temple do eat, and those waiting at the altar -- with the altar are partakers? 14so also did the Lord direct to those proclaiming the good news: of the good news to live.

15And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for it is good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void; 16for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and woe is to me if I may not proclaim good news; 17for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly -- with a stewardship I have been entrusted! 18What, then, is my reward? -- that proclaiming good news, without charge I shall make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;

Paul a Servant to All

19for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain; 20and I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain; 21to those without law, as without law -- (not being without law to God, but within law to Christ) -- that I might gain those without law; 22I became to the infirm as infirm, that the infirm I might gain; to all men I have become all things, that by all means I may save some. 23And this I do because of the good news, that a fellow-partaker of it I may become;

Run Your Race to Win

24have ye not known that those running in a race -- all indeed run, but one doth receive the prize? so run ye, that ye may obtain; 25and every one who is striving, is in all things temperate; these, indeed, then, that a corruptible crown they may receive, but we an incorruptible; 26I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not beating air; 27but I chastise my body, and bring it into servitude, lest by any means, having preached to others -- I myself may become disapproved.

1 Corinthians 9: Paul’s Defense of His Apostolic Authority

The Rights of an Apostle

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus, our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? ² Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Paul’s Rights as a Minister

³ This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me: ⁴ Don’t we have the right to food and drink? ⁵ 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? ⁶ Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right not to work for a living?

Illustrations from Everyday Life

⁷ Who serves as a soldier at their own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? ⁸ Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? ¹⁰ Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

Sharing in the Gospel

¹¹ If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? ¹² If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. ¹³ 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? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Paul’s Self-Discipline

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. ¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

Becoming All Things to All People

¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews, I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law, I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak, I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Running the Race

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize! ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Footnotes

9:1: Paul asserts his authority as an apostle, emphasizing his personal connection with the Corinthian church.

9:4: The rights of an apostle include receiving financial support from the community.

9:7: Paul uses common metaphors to illustrate the expectation of support for those who serve in ministry.

9:11: Highlights the importance of mutual support in the Christian community.

9:15: Paul emphasizes his commitment to the gospel over personal rights.

9:19: Illustrates Paul’s adaptability to different cultural contexts to reach more people.

9:25: Compares the Christian life to athletic competition, emphasizing discipline and perseverance.

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The F.O.G Commentary

When Freedom Meets Responsibility: Paul’s Master Class in Christian Leadership

What’s 1 Corinthians 9 about?

Paul defends his apostolic authority while voluntarily giving up his rights to support himself—showing the Corinthians (and us) what it looks like when personal freedom serves a greater purpose. It’s a brilliant lesson in leadership that puts the gospel ahead of personal privilege.

The Full Context

Picture this: Paul is writing to a church that’s basically a theological teenager—questioning everything, pushing boundaries, and testing limits. The Corinthians have been challenging Paul’s authority as an apostle, likely because he doesn’t fit their expectations. Unlike other apostles, he works with his hands making tents instead of accepting financial support. Some are whispering, “If he were really an apostle, wouldn’t he act like one?”

But here’s where Paul gets brilliant. Instead of getting defensive, he uses their challenge as a teaching moment about Christian freedom and responsibility. This chapter sits right in the middle of his discussion about food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8), where he’s been talking about how knowledge without love can be destructive. Now he’s going to show them what love-driven leadership looks like in action—using his own life as the ultimate example of how to use freedom responsibly.

What the Ancient Words Tell Us

When Paul asks, “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle?” in verse 1, he’s using a rhetorical device that would have made any Greek philosopher proud. The word for “free” here is eleutheros—not just political freedom, but the kind of inner liberty that comes from being unbound by external constraints.

But here’s what’s fascinating: Paul immediately follows this with “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” The Greek word for “seen” is heoraka—perfect tense, meaning this isn’t just a past event but something with ongoing significance. Paul is saying, “I’ve seen Jesus, and that vision continues to shape everything I do.”

Grammar Geeks

When Paul says he has “rights” (exousia) in verse 4, he’s using the same word Jesus used when he said “the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins.” Paul isn’t just talking about permissions—he’s talking about God-given authority that he chooses not to exercise.

The word Paul uses for “support” in verses 7-14 is opsonia—a military term for soldier’s rations. Paul is essentially saying, “I’m a soldier in God’s army, and soldiers get fed.” But then he immediately explains why he won’t accept his rations.

What Would the Original Audience Have Heard?

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The Corinthians lived in a culture where teachers and philosophers expected to be supported by their students. Wandering speakers (called sophists) charged high fees and lived comfortable lives off their teaching. So when Paul showed up making tents by day and preaching by night, it would have seemed… weird.

Did You Know?

In Corinth, being a manual laborer was considered socially degrading for educated people. By working with his hands, Paul was deliberately lowering his social status—something that would have been shocking to his audience.

But Paul’s audience also understood patronage systems. Wealthy benefactors would support teachers, but this created obligations. The teacher would be expected to give preferential treatment to their patrons, avoid controversial topics that might offend them, and generally serve their interests. Paul is saying, “I won’t be bought.”

When he talks about becoming “all things to all people” in verse 22, his original audience would have heard this as revolutionary. In their honor-shame culture, you maintained your dignity by staying in your lane. Paul is saying he’ll cross every social boundary for the gospel.

But Wait… Why Did Paul Give Up His Rights?

Here’s where things get really interesting. Paul had every right to financial support—he proves this with multiple arguments in verses 7-14. He uses examples from military service, farming, shepherding, temple service, and even quotes Jesus directly. So why give it all up?

The answer comes in verse 12: “so that we might not put any obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” The word for “obstacle” is egkope—literally a cutting into a road that blocks passage. Paul is saying that accepting support might create a roadblock between people and the gospel.

Wait, That’s Strange…

Paul says in verse 16 that he has “no reason for boasting” because preaching is compulsory for him—literally “necessity is laid upon me.” Yet earlier he’s been defending his right to preach. How can it be both a right and a compulsion?

This apparent contradiction reveals something profound about calling. Paul’s apostleship isn’t just a job he chose—it’s a divine compulsion he embraces. But within that compulsion, he has choices about how to fulfill it. His freedom isn’t freedom from his calling, but freedom within it.

Wrestling with the Text

The most challenging part of this chapter might be Paul’s statement about becoming “all things to all people.” This has been misused to justify compromising core beliefs, but that’s not what Paul means. Look carefully at his examples in verses 20-22:

To Jews, he becomes like a Jew (following customs and traditions)
To those under the law, he becomes like one under the law
To those outside the law, he becomes like one outside the law
To the weak, he becomes weak

Notice what he’s changing: cultural expressions and personal preferences, not gospel truth. He’s talking about contextualization, not compromise. The goal is always the same: “that I might win some” for Christ.

“Paul’s freedom isn’t the freedom to do whatever he wants—it’s the freedom to choose what serves the gospel best, even when it costs him personally.”

The athletic imagery Paul uses in verses 24-27 would have resonated powerfully with the Corinthians, who hosted the Isthmian Games (second only to the Olympics). Every Corinthian knew that athletes gave up immediate pleasures for future victory. Paul is saying gospel ministry requires the same discipline and focus.

How This Changes Everything

Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 9 completely reframes how we think about Christian freedom and leadership. He shows us that:

True freedom isn’t the right to do what we want—it’s the power to choose what’s best. Paul had rights he didn’t exercise, freedoms he didn’t use, and privileges he voluntarily surrendered. That’s not weakness; it’s strength under control.

Leadership is about service, not status. In a culture obsessed with personal rights and recognition, Paul’s example is countercultural. He chose influence over income, impact over image, and gospel advancement over personal advantage.

Our witness is often found in what we give up, not what we take. Paul’s tent-making wasn’t just his day job—it was his testimony. It showed the Corinthians that his motives were pure and his message wasn’t for sale.

This has profound implications for how we live and lead today. Whether we’re parents, pastors, business leaders, or simply believers trying to live faithfully, Paul’s example challenges us to ask: “How can I use my freedom to serve others? What rights am I willing to surrender for the sake of the gospel? How can my lifestyle support rather than undermine my witness?”

Key Takeaway

Freedom in Christ isn’t about maximizing your personal rights—it’s about having the power to surrender them for something greater.

1 Corinthians Chapter 9

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