Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 9:1 |
Strong Concordance |
Am [1510] I not [3756] an apostle [652]? am [1510] I not [3756] free [1658]? have I not [3780] seen [3708] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962]? are [2075] not [3756] ye [5210] my [3450] work [2041] in [1722] the Lord [2962]? |
| |
King James |
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
HE CONFIRMS HIS TEACHING AS TO NOT PUTTING A STUMBLING-BLOCK IN A BROTHER'S WAY (Co1 8:13) BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE IN NOT USING HIS UNDOUBTED RIGHTS AS AN APOSTLE, SO AS TO WIN MEN TO CHRIST. (1Co. 9:1-27)
Am I not an apostle? am I not free?--The oldest manuscripts read the order thus, "Am I not free? am I not an apostle?" He alludes to Co1 8:9, "this liberty of yours": If you claim it, I appeal to yourselves as the witnesses, have not I also it? "Am I not free?" If you be so, much more I. For "am I not an apostle?" so that I can claim not only Christian, but also apostolic, liberty.
have I not seen Jesus--corporeally, not in a mere vision: compare Co1 15:8, where the fact of the resurrection, which he wishes to prove, could only be established by an actual bodily appearance, such as was vouchsafed to Peter and the other apostles. In Act 9:7, Act 9:17 the contrast between "the men with him seeing no man," and "Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way," shows that Jesus actually appeared to him in going to Damascus. His vision of Christ in the temple (Act 22:17) was "in a trance." To be a witness of Christ's resurrection was a leading function of an apostle (Act 1:22). The best manuscripts omit "Christ."
ye my work in the Lord--Your conversion is His workmanship (Eph 2:10) through my instrumentality: the "seal of mine apostleship" (Co1 9:2). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Am I not an apostle? - This was the point to be settled; and it is probable that some at Corinth had denied that he could be an apostle, since it was requisite, in order to that, to have seen the Lord Jesus; and since it was supposed that Paul had not been a witness of his life, doctrines, and death.
Am I not free? - Am I not a free man; have I not the liberty which all Christians possess, and especially which all the apostles possess? The "liberty" referred to here is doubtless the privilege or right of abstaining from labor; of enjoying as others did the domestic relations of life; and of a support as a public minister and apostle. Probably some had objected to his claims of apostleship that he had not used this right, and that he was conscious that he had no claim to it. By this mode of interrogation, he strongly implies that he was a freeman, and that he had this right.
Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? - Here it is implied, and seems to be admitted by Paul, that in order to be an "apostle" it was necessary to have seen the Saviour. This is often declared expressly; see the note at Act 1:21-22. The reason of this was, that the apostles were appointed to be witnesses of the life, doctrines, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and that in their "being witnesses" consisted the uniqueness of the apostolic office. That this was the case is abundantly manifest from Mat 28:18-19; Luk 24:48; Act 1:21-22; Act 2:32; Act 10:39-41. Hence, it was essential, in order that anyone should be such a witness, and an apostle, that he should have seen the Lord Jesus. In the case of Paul, therefore, who was called to this office after the death and resurrection of the Saviour, and who had not therefore had an opportunity of seeing and hearing him when living, this was provided for by the fact that the Lord Jesus showed himself to him after his death and ascension, in order that he might have this qualification for the apostolic office, Act 9:3-5, Act 9:17. To the fact of his having been thus in a miraculous manner qualified for the apostolic office, Paul frequently appeals, and always with the same view that it was necessary to have seen the Lord Jesus to qualify one for this office, Act 22:14-15; Act 26:16; Co1 15:8. It follows from this, therefore, that no one was an apostle in the strict and proper sense who had not seen the Lord Jesus. And it follows, also, that the apostles could have no successors in that which constituted the uniqueness of their office; and that the office must have commenced and ended with them.
Are not ye my work in the Lord? - Have you not been converted by my labors, or under my ministry; and are you not a proof that the Lord, when I have been claiminG to be an apostle, has owned me "as an apostle," and blessed me in this work? God would not give his sanction to an impostor, and a false pretender; and as Paul had labored there as an apostle, this was an argument that he had been truly commissioned of God. A minister may appeal to the blessing of God on his labors in proof that he is sent of Him. And one of the best of all arguments that a man is sent from God exists where multitudes of souls are converted from sin, and turned to holiness, by his labors. What better credentials than this can a man need that he is in the employ of God? What more consoling to his own mind? What more satisfactory to the world? |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Seen Jesus
See Co1 15:8; Act 9:17; Act 18:9; Act 22:17, Act 22:18; Co2 12:1 sqq. Compare Act 22:14. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Am I not free? am I not an apostle? - That is, Have not I the liberty of a common Christian? yea, that of an apostle? He vindicates his apostleship, Co1 9:1-3: his apostolical liberty, Co1 9:4-19. Have I not seen Jesus Christ? - Without this he could not have been one of those first grand witnesses. Are not ye my work in the Lord - A full evidence that God hath sent me? And yet some, it seems, objected to his being an apostle, because he had not asserted his privilege in demanding and receiving such maintenance from the churches as was due to that office. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Am I not an apostle? - It is sufficiently evident that there were persons at Corinth who questioned the apostleship of St. Paul; and he was obliged to walk very circumspectly that they might not find any occasion against him. It appears also that he had given them all his apostolical labors gratis; and even this, which was the highest proof of his disinterested benevolence, was produced by his opposers as an argument against him. "Prophets, and all divinely commissioned men, have a right to their secular support; you take nothing: - is not this from a conviction that you have no apostolical right?" On this point the apostle immediately enters on his own defense.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? - These questions are all designed as assertions of the affirmative: I am an apostle; and I am free - possessed of all the rights and privileges of an apostle.
Have I not seen Jesus Christ - From whom in his personal appearance to me, I have received my apostolic commission. This was judged essentially necessary to constitute an apostle. See Act 22:14, Act 22:15; Act 26:16.
Are not ye my work - Your conversion from heathenism is the proof that I have preached with the Divine unction and authority.
Several good MSS. and versions transpose the two first questions in this verse, thus: Am I not free? am I not an apostle? But I cannot see that either perspicuity or sense gains any thing by this arrangement. On the contrary, it appears to me that his being an apostle gave him the freedom or rights to which he refers, and therefore the common arrangement I judge to be the best. |
2 If [1487] I be [1510] not [3756] an apostle [652] unto others [243], yet [235] doubtless [1065] I am [1510] to you [5213]: for [1063] the seal [4973] of mine [1699] apostleship [651] are [2075] ye [5210] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
10 For [1063] we are [2070] his [846] workmanship [4161], created [2936] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] unto [1909] good [18] works [2041], which [3739] God [2316] hath before ordained [4282] that [2443] we should walk [4043] in [1722] them [846].
22 Beginning [756] from [575] the baptism [908] of John [2491], unto [2193] that same day [2250] that [3739] he was taken up [353] from [575] us [2257], must [1163] one [1520] be ordained [1096] to be a witness [3144] with [4862] us [2254] of his [846] resurrection [386].
17 And [1161] it came to pass [1096], that, when I [3427] was come again [5290] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419], even [2532] while I [3450] prayed [4336] in [1722] the temple [2411], I [3165] was [1096] in [1722] a trance [1611];
17 And [1161] Ananias [367] went his way [565], and [2532] entered [1525] into [1519] the house [3614]; and [2532] putting [2007] his hands [5495] on [1909] him [846] said [2036], Brother [80] Saul [4549], the Lord [2962], even Jesus [2424], that appeared [3700] unto thee [4671] in [1722] the way [3598] as [3739] thou camest [2064], hath sent [649] me [3165], that [3704] thou mightest receive thy sight [308], and [2532] be filled with [4130] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
7 And [1161] the men [435] which [3588] journeyed [4922] with him [846] stood [2476] speechless [1769], hearing [191] [3303] a voice [5456], but [1161] seeing [2334] no man [3367].
8 And [1161] last [2078] of all [3956] he was seen [3700] of me also [2504], as [5619] of one born out of due time [1626].
9 But [1161] take heed [991] lest [3381] by any means [4458] this [3778] liberty [1849] of yours [5216] become [1096] a stumblingblock [4348] to them that are weak [770].
13 Wherefore [1355], if [1487] meat [1033] make [4624] my [3450] brother [80] to offend [4624], I will eat [5315] no [3364] flesh [2907] while the world standeth [1519] [165], lest [3363] I make [4624] my [3450] brother [80] to offend [4624].
8 And [1161] last [2078] of all [3956] he was seen [3700] of me also [2504], as [5619] of one born out of due time [1626].
16 But [235] rise [450], and [2532] stand [2476] upon [1909] thy [4675] feet [4228]: for [1063] I have appeared [3700] unto thee [4671] for [1519] this purpose [5124], to make [4400] thee [4571] a minister [5257] and [2532] a witness [3144] both [5037] of these things which [3739] thou hast seen [1492], and [5037] of those things in the which [3739] I will appear [3700] unto thee [4671];
14 And [1161] he said [2036], The God [2316] of our [2257] fathers [3962] hath chosen [4400] thee [4571], that thou shouldest know [1097] his [846] will [2307], and [2532] see [1492] that Just One [1342], and [2532] shouldest hear [191] the voice [5456] of [1537] his [846] mouth [4750].
15 For [3754] thou shalt be [2071] his [846] witness [3144] unto [4314] all [3956] men [444] of what [3739] thou hast seen [3708] and [2532] heard [191].
17 And [1161] Ananias [367] went his way [565], and [2532] entered [1525] into [1519] the house [3614]; and [2532] putting [2007] his hands [5495] on [1909] him [846] said [2036], Brother [80] Saul [4549], the Lord [2962], even Jesus [2424], that appeared [3700] unto thee [4671] in [1722] the way [3598] as [3739] thou camest [2064], hath sent [649] me [3165], that [3704] thou mightest receive thy sight [308], and [2532] be filled with [4130] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
3 And [1161] as he [846] journeyed [4198] [1722], he came [1096] near [1448] Damascus [1154]: and [2532] suddenly [1810] there shined round about [4015] him [846] a light [5457] from [575] heaven [3772]:
4 And [2532] he fell [4098] to [1909] the earth [1093], and heard [191] a voice [5456] saying [3004] unto him [846], Saul [4549], Saul [4549], why [5101] persecutest thou [1377] me [3165]?
5 And [1161] he said [2036], Who [5101] art thou [1488], Lord [2962]? And [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036], I [1473] am [1510] Jesus [2424] whom [3739] thou [4771] persecutest [1377]: it is hard [4642] for thee [4671] to kick [2979] against [4314] the pricks [2759].
39 And [2532] we [2249] are [2070] witnesses [3144] of all things [3956] which [3739] he did [4160] both [5037] in [1722] the land [5561] of the Jews [2453], and [2532] in [1722] Jerusalem [2419]; whom [3739] they slew [337] and hanged [2910] on [1909] a tree [3586]:
40 Him [5126] God [2316] raised up [1453] the third [5154] day [2250], and [2532] shewed [1096] him [846] openly [1717] [1325];
41 Not [3756] to all [3956] the people [2992], but [235] unto witnesses [3144] chosen before [4401] of [5259] God [2316], even to us [2254], who [3748] did eat [4906] and [2532] drink with [4844] him [846] after [3326] he [846] rose [450] from [1537] the dead [3498].
32 This [5126] Jesus [2424] hath [450] God [2316] raised up [450], whereof [3739] we [2249] all [3956] are [2070] witnesses [3144].
21 Wherefore [3767] of these [5130] men [435] which have companied [4905] with us [2254] all [3956] the time [5550] that [1722] [3739] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] went [1831] in [1525] and [2532] out [1831] among [1909] us [2248],
22 Beginning [756] from [575] the baptism [908] of John [2491], unto [2193] that same day [2250] that [3739] he was taken up [353] from [575] us [2257], must [1163] one [1520] be ordained [1096] to be a witness [3144] with [4862] us [2254] of his [846] resurrection [386].
48 And [1161] ye [5210] are [2075] witnesses [3144] of these things [5130].
18 And [2532] Jesus [2424] came [4334] and spake [2980] unto them [846], saying [3004], All [3956] power [1849] is given [1325] unto me [3427] in [1722] heaven [3772] and [2532] in [1909] earth [1093].
19 Go ye [4198] therefore [3767], and teach [3100] all [3956] nations [1484], baptizing [907] them [846] in [1519] the name [3686] of the Father [3962], and [2532] of the Son [5207], and [2532] of the Holy [40] Ghost [4151]:
21 Wherefore [3767] of these [5130] men [435] which have companied [4905] with us [2254] all [3956] the time [5550] that [1722] [3739] the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424] went [1831] in [1525] and [2532] out [1831] among [1909] us [2248],
22 Beginning [756] from [575] the baptism [908] of John [2491], unto [2193] that same day [2250] that [3739] he was taken up [353] from [575] us [2257], must [1163] one [1520] be ordained [1096] to be a witness [3144] with [4862] us [2254] of his [846] resurrection [386].
14 And [1161] he said [2036], The God [2316] of our [2257] fathers [3962] hath chosen [4400] thee [4571], that thou shouldest know [1097] his [846] will [2307], and [2532] see [1492] that Just One [1342], and [2532] shouldest hear [191] the voice [5456] of [1537] his [846] mouth [4750].
1 It is [4851] not [3756] expedient [4851] for me [3427] doubtless [1211] to glory [2744]. [1063] I will come [2064] to [1519] visions [3701] and [2532] revelations [602] of the Lord [2962].
18 And [2532] saw [1492] him [846] saying [3004] unto me [3427], Make haste [4692], and [2532] get thee [1831] quickly [5034] [1722] out of [1537] Jerusalem [2419]: for [1360] they will [3858] not [3756] receive [3858] thy [4675] testimony [3141] concerning [4012] me [1700].
17 And [1161] it came to pass [1096], that, when I [3427] was come again [5290] to [1519] Jerusalem [2419], even [2532] while I [3450] prayed [4336] in [1722] the temple [2411], I [3165] was [1096] in [1722] a trance [1611];
9 Then [1161] spake [2036] the Lord [2962] to Paul [3972] in [1223] the night [3571] by [1722] a vision [3705], Be [5399] not [3361] afraid [5399], but [235] speak [2980], and [2532] hold [4623] not [3361] thy peace [4623]:
17 And [1161] Ananias [367] went his way [565], and [2532] entered [1525] into [1519] the house [3614]; and [2532] putting [2007] his hands [5495] on [1909] him [846] said [2036], Brother [80] Saul [4549], the Lord [2962], even Jesus [2424], that appeared [3700] unto thee [4671] in [1722] the way [3598] as [3739] thou camest [2064], hath sent [649] me [3165], that [3704] thou mightest receive thy sight [308], and [2532] be filled with [4130] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151].
8 And [1161] last [2078] of all [3956] he was seen [3700] of me also [2504], as [5619] of one born out of due time [1626].
4 Have we [2192] not [3378] power [1849] to eat [5315] and [2532] to drink [4095]?
5 Have we [2192] not [3378] power [1849] to lead about [4013] a sister [79], a wife [1135], as well as [5613] [2532] other [3062] apostles [652], and [2532] as the brethren [80] of the Lord [2962], and [2532] Cephas [2786]?
6 Or [2228] I [1473] only [3441] and [2532] Barnabas [921], have [2192] not [3756] we [2192] power [1849] to forbear [3361] working [2038]?
7 Who [5101] goeth a warfare [4754] any time at [4218] his own [2398] charges [3800]? who [5101] planteth [5452] a vineyard [290], and [2532] eateth [2068] not [3756] of [1537] the fruit [2590] thereof [846]? or [2228] who [5101] feedeth [4165] a flock [4167], and [2532] eateth [2068] not [3756] of [1537] the milk [1051] of the flock [4167]?
8 Say I [2980] these things [5023] as [3361] [2596] a man [444]? or [2228] saith [3004] not [3780] the law [3551] the same [5023] also [2532]?
9 For [1063] it is written [1125] in [1722] the law [3551] of Moses [3475], Thou shalt [5392] not [3756] muzzle [5392] the mouth of the ox [1016] that treadeth out the corn [248]. [3361] Doth [3199] God [2316] take care [3199] for oxen [1016]?
10 Or [2228] saith he [3004] it altogether [3843] for [1223] our [2248] sakes [1223]? For [1223] our [2248] sakes [1223], no doubt [1063], this is written [1125]: that [3754] he that ploweth [722] should [3784] plow [722] in [1909] hope [1680]; and [2532] that he that thresheth [248] in hope [1680] should be partaker [3348] of [1909] his [846] hope [1680].
11 If [1487] we [2249] have sown [4687] unto you [5213] spiritual things [4152], is it a great thing [3173] if [1487] we [2249] shall reap [2325] your [5216] carnal things [4559]?
12 If [1487] others [243] be partakers [3348] of this power [1849] over you [5216], are not [3756] we [2249] rather [3123]? Nevertheless [235] we have [5530] not [3756] used [5530] this [5026] power [1849]; but [235] suffer [4722] all things [3956], lest [3363] we should [1325] [5100] hinder [1464] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547].
13 Do ye [1492] not [3756] know [1492] that [3754] they which minister [2038] about holy things [2413] live [2068] of the things of [1537] the temple [2411]? and they which wait [4332] at the altar [2379] are partakers [4829] with the altar [2379]?
14 Even [2532] so [3779] hath [1299] the Lord [2962] ordained [1299] that they which preach [2605] the gospel [2098] should live [2198] of [1537] the gospel [2098].
15 But [1161] I [1473] have used [5530] none [3762] of these things [5130]: [1161] neither [3756] have I written [1125] these things [5023], that [2443] it should be [1096] so [3779] done [1096] unto [1722] me [1698]: for [1063] it were better [3123] for me [3427] to die [599] [2570], than [2228] that [2443] any man [5100] should make [2758] my [3450] glorying [2745] void [2758].
16 For [1063] though [1437] I preach the gospel [2097], I [3427] have [2076] nothing [3756] to glory of [2745]: for [1063] necessity [318] is laid upon [1945] me [3427]; yea [1161], woe [3759] is [2076] unto me [3427], if [3362] I preach [2097] not [3362] the gospel [2097] !
17 For [1063] if [1487] I do [4238] this thing [5124] willingly [1635], I have [2192] a reward [3408]: but [1161] if [1487] against my will [210], a dispensation [3622] of the gospel is committed unto me [4100].
18 What [5101] is [2076] my [3427] reward [3408] then [3767]? Verily that [2443], when I preach the gospel [2097], I may make [5087] the gospel [2098] of Christ [5547] without charge [77], that [1519] I abuse [2710] not [3361] my [3450] power [1849] in [1722] the gospel [2098].
19 For [1063] though I be [5607] free [1658] from [1537] all [3956] men, yet have I made [1402] myself [1683] servant [1402] unto all [3956], that [2443] I might gain [2770] the more [4119].
1 Am [1510] I not [3756] an apostle [652]? am [1510] I not [3756] free [1658]? have I not [3780] seen [3708] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962]? are [2075] not [3756] ye [5210] my [3450] work [2041] in [1722] the Lord [2962]?
2 If [1487] I be [1510] not [3756] an apostle [652] unto others [243], yet [235] doubtless [1065] I am [1510] to you [5213]: for [1063] the seal [4973] of mine [1699] apostleship [651] are [2075] ye [5210] in [1722] the Lord [2962].
3 Mine [1699] answer [627] to them that do examine [350] me [1691] is [2076] this [3778],
16 But [235] rise [450], and [2532] stand [2476] upon [1909] thy [4675] feet [4228]: for [1063] I have appeared [3700] unto thee [4671] for [1519] this purpose [5124], to make [4400] thee [4571] a minister [5257] and [2532] a witness [3144] both [5037] of these things which [3739] thou hast seen [1492], and [5037] of those things in the which [3739] I will appear [3700] unto thee [4671];
15 For [3754] thou shalt be [2071] his [846] witness [3144] unto [4314] all [3956] men [444] of what [3739] thou hast seen [3708] and [2532] heard [191].
14 And [1161] he said [2036], The God [2316] of our [2257] fathers [3962] hath chosen [4400] thee [4571], that thou shouldest know [1097] his [846] will [2307], and [2532] see [1492] that Just One [1342], and [2532] shouldest hear [191] the voice [5456] of [1537] his [846] mouth [4750].