1 Corinthians 9:3-14

1 Corinthians 9:3-14

[3] Mine  answer  to them that do examine  this,  [4] Have we  power  to eat  and  to drink?  [5] Have we  power  to lead about  a sister,  a wife,  as well as  other  apostles,  and  as the brethren  of the Lord,  and  Cephas?  [6] Or  only  and  Barnabas,  not  we  power  to forbear  working?  [7] 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?  [8] Say I  as  a man?  or  saith  the law  also?  [9] For  it is written  in  the law  of Moses,  not  muzzle  the mouth of the ox  that treadeth out the corn.  God  take care  for oxen?  [10] Or  saith he  it altogether  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  hope.  [11] If  have sown  spiritual things,  is it a great thing  if  shall reap  carnal things?  [12] If  others  be partakers  of this power  are not  rather?  Nevertheless  not  used  power;  but  suffer  all things,  we should  hinder  the gospel  of Christ.  [13] 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?  [14] Even  so  the Lord  ordained  that they which preach  the gospel  should live  of  the gospel. 

What does 1 Corinthians 9:3-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The issue of Paul"s right to their material support underlies this whole pericope.
"Philosophers and wandering missionaries in the Greco-Roman world were "supported" by four means: fees, patronage, begging, and working. Each of these had both proponents and detractors, who viewed rival forms as not worthy of philosophy." [1]
Paul did not begin by justifying his renunciation of his apostolic rights but by establishing that he had these rights. He evidently had to begin there because the Corinthians were challenging these rights. They were assuming that Paul had worked with his hands because he lacked apostolic rights, not because he had chosen to forgo them.