1 Corinthians 9:12
What does 1 Corinthians 9:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 9:12 means
Paul notes that if others have exercised this right over the Corinthians, he and his coworkers had an even stronger claim as their founders. Yet he chose not to use it. Instead, he endured hardship so that nothing would obstruct the gospel of Christ. He is not resentful; he is strategic. Sometimes taking a rightful benefit can create suspicion or confusion in a particular setting. Paul would rather absorb loss than risk the message being misunderstood. His example shows that Christian liberty is best used in love, freely laying aside advantages when they might become barriers to people hearing and receiving Christ.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If others have a part in this right over you, have we not even more? But we did not make use of our right, so that we might put nothing in the way of the good news of Christ.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if others do partake of the authority over you--not we more? but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no hindrance to the good news of the Christ.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If others be partakers of this power over you, why not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power: but we bear all things, lest we should give any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If others partake of this right over you, should not rather we? But we have not used this right, but we bear all things, that we may put no hindrance in the way of the glad tidings of the Christ.
Context
After asserting the justice of support, Paul immediately tempers it with his own practice. Verse 12 holds both truths: the right is real, and he did not use it in Corinth. His aim was to remove every possible stumbling block. Next, in verses 13–14, he will add further support from temple practice and Jesus’ teaching that gospel preachers should live from the gospel. Then, in verse 15, he will return again to insist that he is not asking them to change his arrangement.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 4:8
and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12
But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them that desire an occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
- 2 Corinthians 11:20
For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.
- 1 Corinthians 9:18
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 4:11
Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
- 1 Corinthians 9:2
If 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.
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