Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:6

What does 1 Corinthians 9:6 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:6 means

Paul asks whether he and Barnabas alone must keep working a trade to support themselves, as though they uniquely lacked the right to devote themselves fully to gospel work. The implied answer is that they have the same right as others “to forbear working” with their hands. Even though Paul often supported himself, that was a voluntary choice, not a lack of entitlement. He refuses the idea that tentmaking proves he is less authentic. Rather, it was a strategic restraint for the sake of the mission. His question levels the field: all gospel workers may rightly receive support, including those like him who sometimes choose otherwise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or I only and Barnabas, have we no right to take a rest from work?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority--not to work?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Or I alone and Barnabas, have we not a right not to work?

Context

Having established rights to basic provisions and marital support, Paul now highlights his and Barnabas’s unusual pattern of self‑support. Verse 6 sets up the need for broader confirmation: is this right merely his opinion? In verse 7 he will show from common vocations that workers share in their work’s benefits. Then, in verses 8–10, he will appeal to Scripture, and in verses 13–14 to temple practice and the Lord’s command, stacking evidence before stating his personal renunciation again.

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?

v.6This passage

v.7What 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?

Cross references

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

  • Acts 13:1

    Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

  • 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;

  • Acts 18:3

    and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought; for by their trade they were tentmakers.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9

    For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:7

    For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

  • Acts 15:36

    And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.

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