1 Corinthians 9:13
What does 1 Corinthians 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 9:13 means
Paul points to temple practice: those who serve in sacred things receive their livelihood from the offerings. Priests and attendants at the altar had a rightful portion. This shows that God’s own worship system provided for its ministers. The analogy reinforces the principle that sacred service and material support rightly go together. It is not mercenary to live from ministry; it is the established pattern. The Corinthians, familiar with temples in their city, would understand the picture. Paul is not equating Christian ministry with pagan rites, but drawing a general truth from religious practice recognizable to all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Do 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do you not see that the servants of the holy things get their living from the Temple, and the servants of the altar have their part in the food which is offered on the altar?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Have ye not known that those working about the things of the temple--of the temple do eat, and those waiting at the altar--with the altar are partakers?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar partake with the altar?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Do ye not know that they who labour [at] sacred things eat of the [offerings offered in the] temple; they that attend at the altar partake with the altar?
Context
Continuing to stack evidence, Paul moves from law to cultic practice. Verse 13 appeals to a norm his audience could grasp: sacred workers partake of sacred provisions. This forms a bridge to the climactic appeal in verse 14, where he will cite the Lord’s own ordinance about gospel workers. By amassing converging witnesses—common life, Scripture, temple practice, and Christ’s command—Paul shows the right to support is beyond dispute before returning to his voluntary renunciation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Leviticus 7:6
Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in a holy place: it is most holy.
- 1 Samuel 2:28
and did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up unto mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?
- 1 Corinthians 10:18
Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?
- Deuteronomy 10:9
Wherefore Levi hath no portion nor inheritance with his brethren; Jehovah is his inheritance, according as Jehovah thy God spake unto him.)
- Leviticus 6:16
And that which is left thereof shall Aaron and his sons eat: it shall be eaten without leaven in a holy place; in the court of the tent of meeting they shall eat it.
- Deuteronomy 18:1
The priests the Levites, evenall the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, and his inheritance.
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