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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

1 Corinthians 9:12

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Fourth argument. You have admitted the cogency of these arguments in the case of teachers who have less claim upon you than we have, to whom (ch. 1 Corinthians 4:15) you owe your Christian life itself.

Nevertheless we have not used this power St Paul is now about to enter upon the argument from which he was diverted by the thought which flashed across his mind in 1 Corinthians 9:1. But another argument occurs to him, which he states in the next verse.

suffer Rather, perhaps, endure. Cf. ch. 1Co 13:7; 1 Thessalonians 3:1. The word is used of vessels which endure pressure without breaking.

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See also 1 Corinthians 9:12 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 1 Corinthians 9:12. _IF OTHERS BE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER_] If those who in any matter serve you have a _right_ to a recompense for that service, surely we who have served you in the most essent...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    IF OTHERS - Other teachers living with you. There can be no doubt that the teachers in Corinth urged this right, and received a support. BE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER - Of this right to a support and ma...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    6. PAUL'S GRACIOUS EXAMPLE. CHAPTER 9 _ 1. The Apostle's rights. (1 Corinthians 9:1)._ 2. He waives his rights for the Gospel's sake. (1 Corinthians 9:15). 3. The race-course and the crown. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS 9. This chapter is not a digression, and is not primarily concerned with a vindication of Paul's apostolic status and rights. He enforces his plea that the enlightened should not ride ro...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Even if I am not an apostle to others, I certainly am to you; you are the seal of my apostleship in...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE UNCLAIMED PRIVILEGES (1 Corinthians 9:1-14)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HAVE NOT USED. did not use. Greek. _chraomai._ See Acts 27:3. SUFFER. bear. Greek. stego, to cover. Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 13:7. 1Th 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 (forbear). LEST, &C.

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΕἸ ἌΛΛΟΙ … ΜΕΤΈΧΟΥΣΙΝ. Fourth argument. You have admitted the cogency of these arguments in the case of those who have less claim upon you than we have, to whom (ch. 1 Corinthians 4:15) you owe your C...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    1 Corinthians 9:1-14. ST PAUL’S DEFENCE OF HIS APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY This chapter is devoted to a defence of the Apostolic authority of St Paul, but there is an under-current of thought connecting it wi...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _PAUL RESTRICTED HIS RIGHTS 1 CORINTHIANS 9:7-14:_ By way of comparison Paul said he had a right to support from the church. He also said he had a right to be married and to have his wife travel about...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΎΜΏΝ _gen. pl. от_ ΣΎ (G4771) вы. Obj. _gen._, "над вами" (RG, 500). ΈΞΟΥΣΊΑΣ _gen. sing. от_ ΕΞΟΥΣΊΑ (G1849) власть. _Gen._ после гл. разделения. ΜΕΤΈΧΟΥΣΙΝ ΓΑΒΒ. _ind. act. от_ ΜΕΤΈΧΩ (G3348) разд...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER— It may be proper just to observe, that Matthew 10:1. John 17:2 and many other places prove, that εξουσιας υμων may properly be rendered _a power over you._ The Corinthians, co...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 1 Recitation of Rights (1 Corinthians 9:1-14) 9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2If to others I...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Text_ 1 Corinthians 9:1-12 a. Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, yet at leas...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Text_ 1 Corinthians 9:12-18. Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they tha...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    If 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. OTHERS - whether true...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 The Corinthians questioned the apostleship of Paul. The phrase, "the twelve apostles" has been used to throw doubt on his commission, for if there were but twelve apostles, Paul could not have been...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    9:12 partake (d-3) _ Metecho_ , see Note q, Hebrews 2:14 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(b) Food offered to Idols (ii) St. Paul's own Example_ St. Paul has appealed to the 'enlightened' converts at Corinth to give up for the sake of others a practice which they might otherwise have had...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    IF OTHERS BE PARTAKERS] This shows that there were some persons receiving support from the Corinthian Church: cp. 2 Corinthians 11:20. POWER] RV 'right.' RATHER] RV' yet more'; i.e. as the instrument...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 9 THE RIGHTS OF AN *APOSTLE 9:1-27 PAUL IS A REAL *APOSTLE 9:1-2 V1 You know that I am free. You know that I am an *apostle. I have seen...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    IF OTHERS BE PARTAKERS.... — You do recognise this principle in regard to other teachers, and they actually partake of this right to be supported by you; we, your first teachers, have a stronger right...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 13 MAINTENANCE OF THE MINISTRY IN the preceding chapter Paul has disposed of the question put to him regarding meats offered in sacrifice to idols. He has taken occasion to point out that in...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    1 Corinthians 9:11-12 _a_ appeal to the sense of justice in the Cor [1311]; τὸ δίκαιον δείκνυσιν τοῦ πράγματος (Thp [1312]): _cf._ Galatians 6:6. μέγα εἰ …; “Is it a great thing if …?” = “Is it a grea...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    1 Corinthians 9:7-15 _a_. § 28. THE CLAIM OF MINISTERS TO PUBLIC MAINTENANCE. Paul asserts his right to live at the charge of the Christian community, in order to show the Cor [1295] how he has waived...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    RIGHTS AND THEIR SURRENDER 1 Corinthians 9:1 Paul's claim to an equality with Peter and the other Apostles was violently disputed by his enemies at Corinth, because in several matters he differed fro...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The words, "my defence to them that examine me is this," reveal the opposition to him in Corinth. The two words, "defence" and "examine," are purely legal, and are in the language of the courts of jus...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Physical Rewards for Spiritual Service Spiritual blessings are beyond value, so paying the laborer who brought such was a good exchange. Other cases of spiritual debt being repaid with material goods...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (8) If others be partakers of [this] (k) 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. (8) Another...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “If others be partakers of this right over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this right; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.” As to this right of su...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    3. THE EXAMPLE OF ABNEGATION GIVEN BY PAUL. 9:1-22. IT is easy, from what we have just said, to understand the link which connects the following passage with the question treated by the apostle. It is...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (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 these thin...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    12._If others assume this power over you _Again he establishes his own right from the example of others. For why should he alone be denied what others assumed as their due? For as no one labored more...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle was exposed to the accusations of false teachers, who asserted that he carried on his evangelisation and his labours from interested motives, and that he took the property of Christians, a...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    IF OTHERS ARE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER OVER YOU,.... Meaning not any tyrannical power and jurisdiction over them, with respect either to faith or practice; but the right of a maintenance, which either...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    If 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. Ver. 12. _If others...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _If we have sown unto you spiritual things_ By our incessant diligence in preaching to you the gospel of the blessed God; _is it a great thing_ More than we have a right to expect; _if we shall reap y...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    THIS POWER; the right to a maintenance. SUFFER ALL THINGS; all the inconveniences and hardships of not being supported by the people....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Scriptural proof and its application:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    IF 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. The apostle by a Scriptur...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Because of the lowliness and grace on the part of the apostle, such as chapter 8 shows in the consideration of his brethren, there were some who would use this as an occasion to belittle him. He made...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    IF OTHERS PARTAKE OF THIS RIGHT OVER YOU, DO NOT WE YET MORE? NEVERTHELESS WE DID NOT USE THIS RIGHT; BUT WE BEAR ALL THINGS, THAT WE MAY CAUSE NO HINDRANCE TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 'If others partak...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-14 It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to set fort...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    IF OTHERS BE PARTAKERS OF THIS POWER OVER YOU, ARE NOT WE RATHER? Those false apostles or teachers, which were amongst the Corinthians, did (as it seemeth) exercise this power, that is, required maint...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. [Since Paul had le...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 9:12 If G1487 others G243 partakers G3348 (G5719) right G1849 you G5216 we G2249 not G3756

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    'If others partake of this right over you, do we not yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.' Indeed there are...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL NOW POINTS OUT THAT HE REFUSES TO USE HIS FREEDOM IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE YOUNG CHRISTIANS TO BE LED ASTRAY. HIS NEXT EXAMPLE REFERS TO HIS NOT RECEIVING GIFTS FOR HIS MINISTRY AMONG THEM WHI...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 9:12.... NEVERTHELESS WE DID NOT USE THIS RIGHT... THAT WE MAY CAUSE NO HINDRANCE TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST to cut off the pretext of mercenary motives, slanderously insinuated against him...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    It was impossible for Christians in almost any Greek or Roman colony, and least of all at Corinth, to avoid coming frequently in contact with idolatrous practices in various and ensnaring forms. In wr...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    OVER YOU (υμων). Objective genitive after εξουσιαν.DO NOT WE YET MORE? (ου μαλλον ημεισ;). Because of Paul's peculiar relation to that church as founder and apostle.BUT WE BEAR ALL THINGS (αλλα...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul vindicates his apostleship. The method and reward of true ministry and the support of the ministry. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Cephas, Barnabas, Moses. CONCLUSION: It is no new thing for...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Corinthians 9:1. _Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?_ Having illustrated the legal customs of the jews respecting meats, he introduc...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    IF OTHERS HAVE THE RIGHT? The false teacher and his associates demanded financial support from the Corinthian church. If they thought these had the right to these things, didn't they understand Paul h...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges?_ THE BAFFLE OF LIFE We have here-- I. An inspiriting metaphor. When life is represented as a warfare, some peaceful minds may feel a little alarmed,...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Am I not an apostle?_ Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? SIGNS OF APOSTLESHIP Why should Paul, departing from his usual custom, speak here of himself and his claims? Undoubtedly...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    1 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 1 CORINTHIANS 9:12 OTHERS. Probably refers to those listed in v. 1 Corinthians 9:5. They had traveled through Corinth and received

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?_ The Apostle proves by six arguments that that he and other ministers of the Word of God and the Church may receive their expenses fr...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 9 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He proceeds to show by his own example how offences are to be avoided, and he says that he had refused to accept payment, or the maintenance due to a preacher of...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 9:1.—Notice the reversed order of clauses in the better-attested reading. FREE.—_I.c. quâ_ man; he is always Christ’s “bondservant”; it is of his own choice that he subm...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1 The rights and the self denial of an apostle. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1 An apostle's right to maintenance....

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn in our Bibles to I Corinthians, chapter 9. I could do a lot of things I don't do. The reason why I don't do them is I do not want to be an offense unto a weaker brethren and destroy his...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 4:15;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Power [ε ξ ο υ σ ι α ς]. Rev., correctly, right. The right to claim maintenance. Suffer [σ τ ε γ ο μ ε ν]. Rev., bear. The primary meaning is to cover. So some render ch. 13 7, covereth for beareth. H...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    If others — Whether true or false apostles. Partake of this power — Have a right to be maintained. Do not we rather — On account of our having laboured so much more? Lest we should give any hinderance...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Here we have. fourth argument for the Corinthians allowing St. Paul and other apostles. sufficient maintenance; namely, from their own example to other teachers at Corinth: as if he had said, "You mai...

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