Paul Surrenders His Rights

1 Corinthians 9

1 j Am I not free? k Am I not an apostle? l Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? m Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are n the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 o Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 p Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, 1 as do the other apostles and q the brothers of the Lord and r Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 s Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? t Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, u "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written v for our sake, because w the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 x If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, y we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything z rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that a those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that b those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But c I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone d deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For e necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with f a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching g I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For h though I am free from all, i I have made myself a servant to all, that I might j win more of them. 20 k To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To l those outside the law I became m as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but n under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 o To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. p I have become all things to all people, that q by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, r that I may share with them in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives s the prize? So t run that you may obtain it. 25 Every u athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we v an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I w do not box as one x beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and y keep it under control, 2 lest after preaching to others z I myself should be a disqualified.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:19
    For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 14:14
    But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out.
    2 Corinthians 12:12
    The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
    1 Thessalonians 2:6
    Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
    2 Corinthians 10:7
    Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ's, so also are we.
    Revelation 2:2
    'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
  3. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:8
    Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appear...
    Acts 9:3
    Now as he went on his way, he approached Damasc...
    Acts 9:17
    So Ananias departed and entered the house. And ...
    Acts 18:9
    And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision...
    Acts 22:14
    And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed ...
    Acts 22:18
    And saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get o...
    Acts 23:11
    The following night the Lord stood by him and s...
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:6
    I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
  5. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 3:2
    You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:14
    In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
    1 Thessalonians 2:6
    Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
    1 Thessalonians 2:9
    For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
    2 Thessalonians 3:8 - 9
    Nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:7
    I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 12:46
    While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 8:14
    And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever.
    John 1:42
    He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).
  10. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 10:4
    For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
    1 Timothy 1:18
    This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.
    2 Timothy 2:3 - 4
    Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:6 - 8
    I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
    Deuteronomy 20:6
    And is there any man who has planted a vineyard and has not enjoyed its fruit? Let him go back to his house, lest he die in the battle and another man enjoy its fruit.
    Proverbs 27:18
    Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
    Song of Solomon 8:12
    My vineyard, my very own, is before me; you, O Solomon, may have the thousand, and the keepers of the fruit two hundred.
  12. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:18
    For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages.
    Deuteronomy 25:4
    You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
  13. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 25:4
    You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 4:24
    But for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord.
  15. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:6
    It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 15:27
    For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
    Galatians 6:6
    One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:15
    But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
    1 Corinthians 9:18
    What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
    Acts 20:33
    I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:3
    We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.
    2 Corinthians 11:12
    And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
  19. Cross References
    Leviticus 6:16
    And the rest of it Aaron and his sons shall eat...
    Leviticus 6:26
    The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. ...
    Leviticus 7:6
    Every male among the priests may eat of it. It ...
    Numbers 5:9 - 10
    And every contribution, all the holy donations ...
    Numbers 18:8 - 20
    Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, "Behold, I have g...
    Deuteronomy 18:1
    The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, s...
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:4
    Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
    Matthew 10:10
    No bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 18:3
    And because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:10
    As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
  23. Cross References
    Acts 4:20
    For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.
    Acts 9:6
    But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.
    Romans 1:14
    I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:1
    This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
    Galatians 2:7
    On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
    Philippians 1:16
    The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:7
    Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?
    2 Corinthians 12:13
    For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:1
    Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
    1 Corinthians 10:29
    I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?
  27. Cross References
    Galatians 5:13
    For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
  28. Cross References
    Matthew 18:15
    If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
    1 Peter 3:1
    Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 16:3
    Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
    Acts 21:23 - 26
    Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow.
  30. Cross References
    Romans 2:12
    For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
    Romans 2:14
    For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
  31. Cross References
    Galatians 2:3
    But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
    Galatians 3:2
    Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
  32. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:22
    For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
  33. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:29
    Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
  34. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:33
    Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
  35. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:16
    For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
    Romans 11:14
    In order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
  36. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:24
    Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
  37. Cross References
    Philippians 3:14
    I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
    Colossians 2:18
    Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.
  38. Cross References
    Galatians 2:2
    I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
    Galatians 5:7
    You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
    Hebrews 12:1
    Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
    2 Timothy 4:7
    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  39. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:12
    Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
    2 Timothy 2:5
    An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
    2 Timothy 4:7
    I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
    Jude 1:3
    Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
  40. Cross References
    James 1:12
    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
  41. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:4
    In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
  42. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:9
    So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
  43. Cross References
    Romans 6:19
    I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
  44. Cross References
    Song of Solomon 1:6
    Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!
  45. Cross References
    Jeremiah 6:30
    Rejected silver they are called, for the Lord has rejected them.
    Romans 1:28
    And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
    Hebrews 6:8
    But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book