Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:5

What does 1 Corinthians 9:5 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:5 means

Paul affirms that he has the right to take along a believing wife in ministry, just as “the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas” are known to do. The phrase “lead about” suggests traveling with and being supported together as a couple. This shows that marriage and family life are compatible with apostolic service and that the community’s provision for such needs is appropriate. Paul’s personal celibacy is not a rule for all; it is a chosen gift and strategy. He is not less apostolic for remaining single, nor would he be less apostolic if he had married and received support for his household.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Have 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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Have 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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Have we no right to take about with us a Christian wife, like the rest of the Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

have we not authority a sister--a wife--to lead about, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister as well as the rest of the apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

have we not a right to take round a sister [as] wife, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Context

Continuing the catalog of legitimate rights, Paul moves from daily sustenance to family life. Verse 5 widens the discussion by appealing to recognized examples—other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas. This normalizes support for married ministers. Next, in verse 6, Paul brings up his and Barnabas’s practice regarding manual labor, which leads into a set of analogies from soldiering, farming, and shepherding in verse 7 that demonstrate how workers justly share in the fruit of their work.

v.4Have we no right to eat and to drink?

v.5This passage

v.6Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?

Cross references

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

  • Mark 6:3

    Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended in him.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:39

    A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

  • John 2:12

    After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, andhisbrethren, and his disciples; and there they abode not many days.

  • Song of Solomon 4:12

    A garden shut up is my sister, my bride; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

  • Song of Solomon 5:1

    I am come into my garden, my sister, my bride: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends; Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.

  • Romans 16:1

    I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreæ:

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 9:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary