I Corinthians 9:1-14
The Rights and Sacrifices of the Apostle Paul in His Service – Part 1

Today, 05/10/2023, let us, together in the grace of God, rejoice and reflect on the Word of God in I Corinthians 9:1-14.

1 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?

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have 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 these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our 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 his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12 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.

13 Do ye 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 hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

[King James Version]

Suggested Questions:

1. Why did Paul write these words to the Church in Corinth in Chapter 9?

2. What are sowing spiritual things?

3. What are reaping carnal things?

4. What is “this power” in verse 12?

5. What does it mean to “live of the Gospel”?

Suggested Applications:

1. Do you care about and support the physical needs of those who teach the Word of God to you?

2. The tithe of 1/10 in the Old Testament was to support the families of the priests and maintain the Temple of the Lord. How should modern believers give to support the ministries of the Church?