Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:1

What does 1 Corinthians 9:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:1 means

Paul opens with forceful questions to assert his liberty in Christ and the reality of his apostleship. He is truly an apostle because he has seen “Jesus our Lord,” a key mark of apostolic calling. The Corinthians themselves are living proof of his ministry; their conversion and church life are his “work in the Lord.” By reminding them of their own story, he counters those who deny his authority. He is not boasting for status but establishing the rightful ground from which he will speak about rights, support, and freedom. His aim is pastoral: if they recognize his apostleship, they should also hear how he chooses to use—or not use—his rights for the gospel’s sake.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Am I not free? am I not an Apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are you not my work in the Lord?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Am not I an apostle? am not I free? Jesus Christ our Lord have I not seen? my work are not ye in the Lord?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Am I not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in [the] Lord?

Context

After teaching in chapter 8 about limiting liberty for the sake of others, Paul anticipates objections to his own practice. Verse 1 begins his personal defense. He first sets the foundation: he is free, and he is an apostle authenticated by an encounter with the risen Lord and by the Corinthians’ own existence as a church. This lays the groundwork for his argument about ministerial rights in the next verses and why he may set those rights aside without surrendering his apostolic authority.

v.1This passage

v.2If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 26:16

    But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;

  • 1 Corinthians 9:19

    For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

  • Acts 23:11

    And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

  • 2 Timothy 1:11

    whereunto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.

  • Romans 1:5

    through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;

  • 1 Corinthians 1:1

    Paul, calledto bean apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 9

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 9.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 9:1.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary