Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:4

What does 1 Corinthians 9:4 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:4 means

Paul asks whether he and his coworkers lack the right to be supported with the ordinary necessities of life—food and drink. The implied answer is no; they do have this right. Gospel work does not put a person outside normal human needs. Spiritual labor is still labor. His question also hints that some in Corinth looked down on material support for ministers, or on Paul for not receiving it. By affirming the right, Paul dignifies the office and corrects any notion that ministers must be self‑sustaining to be legitimate. Yet establishing the right is only step one; soon he will say why, in Corinth, he chose to forgo it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Have we no right to eat and to drink?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Have we not power to eat and to drink?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Have we no right to eat and to drink?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Have we no right to take food and drink?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

have we not authority to eat and to drink?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Have not we power to eat and to drink?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Have we not a right to eat and to drink?

Context

Paul begins listing rights common to gospel workers. Verse 4 addresses basic support. In the flow, this follows his assertion of apostleship and precedes further examples that expand the principle. Next, in verse 5, he will address the right to marry and receive support for a believing wife, as other recognized leaders do. Then verse 6 will raise the issue of manual labor, setting up analogies from everyday life in verse 7 to confirm his point.

v.3My defence to them that examine me is this.

v.4This passage

v.5Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Cross references

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

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:6

    nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.

  • Luke 10:7

    And in that same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:7

    What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

  • Matthew 10:10

    no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

  • Galatians 6:6

    But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

  • 1 Timothy 5:17

    Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.

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 9:4.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary