Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:7

What does 1 Corinthians 9:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:7 means

Paul points to everyday examples: soldiers are not expected to pay their own expenses; planters rightly eat from their vineyard; shepherds drink the milk of the flock they tend. Work normally brings a share in its fruit. These images show that receiving support is not greed but the fitting return for labor. If this is true in ordinary callings that sustain life, how much more in work that serves souls. The illustrations invite the Corinthians to apply simple fairness to gospel ministry. Refusing rightful provision is not noble if it undermines labor; provision enables focus and effectiveness in the task assigned by God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment? who puts in vines and does not take the fruit of them? or who takes care of sheep without drinking of their milk?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

who doth serve as a soldier at his own charges at any time? who doth plant a vineyard, and of its fruit doth not eat? or who doth feed a flock, and of the milk of the flock doth not eat?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Who serveth as a soldier, at any time, at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Who feedeth the flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Who ever carries on war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? or who herds a flock and does not eat of the milk of the flock?

Context

Paul moves from personal claims to common sense. Verse 7 offers three analogies to make the fairness of ministerial support feel obvious. But he will not rest the case on human custom alone. In verse 8 he signals a shift to divine authority, citing the law of Moses in verse 9 and interpreting its purpose in verse 10. This combination of daily experience and Scripture grounds his argument solidly before he applies it directly to the Corinthians in verse 11.

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

v.7This passage

v.8Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?

Cross references

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

  • 2 Timothy 2:3

    Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

  • Deuteronomy 20:6

    And what man is there that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not used the fruit thereof? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use the fruit thereof.

  • Isaiah 7:22

    and it shall come to pass, that because of the abundance of milk which they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the midst of the land.

  • 1 Timothy 1:18

    This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare;

  • Song of Solomon 8:12

    My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, shalt have the thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4

    (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds);

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