1 Corinthians 9:6

Vv. 6. The conj. ἤ, or, has here the meaning which it so frequently has in Paul's writings: “ Or indeed in the opposite case would it happen that...?”

No doubt Barnabas had not been called to the apostleship by the Lord, in the same way as Paul (1 Corinthians 9:1); but, by his co-operation in the work of the apostle of the Gentiles, he was included, as it were, in his apostleship. Yet there remains an important difference between him and Paul, a difference which comes out in a characteristic way, by the application of the adjective μόνος, only, exclusively to Paul. It is exactly the same relation as is supposed by Galatians 2 (comparing especially 1 Corinthians 9:8-9).

The term working receives a determinate sense from the context: gaining one's livelihood by his work. Some Latin authorities omit the negative μή and translate: to do so, that is to say, to live at your cost. This meaning of the word ἐργάζεσθαι is impossible.

To this historical argument, taken from the example of the apostles, Paul adds a second, borrowed from common right.