Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:10

What does 1 Corinthians 9:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:10 means

Paul says this Scripture was written “for our sake.” The lesson in the oxen law unfolds into a principle for human work: the one who plows and the one who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the harvest. Hope sustains hard labor, and just recompense confirms that hope. Applied to ministry, those who expend themselves spiritually should expect material support from those they serve. This is not a price tag on the gospel, but the fitting response of gratitude and partnership. God’s wise law aims to encourage faithful work by promising that the worker will partake in the fruit of the labor.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or has he us in mind? Yes, it was said for us; because it is right for the ploughman to do his ploughing in hope, and for him who is crushing the grain to do his work hoping for a part in the fruits of it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

or because of us by all means doth He say <FI>it<Fi> ? yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading <FI>ought<Fi> of his hope to partake in hope.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are written for our sakes: that he that plougheth, should plough in hope and he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

or does he say [it] altogether for our sakes? For for our sakes it has been written, that the plougher should plough in hope, and he that treads out corn, in hope of partaking of [it].

Context

After quoting the law, Paul interprets its purpose. Verse 10 moves from the literal to the moral application: if oxen eat while working, surely human workers may, especially in God’s service. This prepares the Corinthian church to consider their responsibility. In verse 11, Paul directly applies the principle: if he has sown spiritual seed among them, it is reasonable to reap material support. The argument is tightening from a general scriptural truth to a pointed pastoral claim.

v.9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

v.10This passage

v.11If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 24:22

    And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

  • Romans 4:23

    Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

  • 2 Corinthians 4:15

    For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God.

  • John 4:35

    Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest.

  • Romans 15:4

    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

  • 2 Timothy 2:6

    The husbandman that laboreth must be the first to partake of the fruits.

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