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Text -- 1 Corinthians 9:12 (NET)

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Context
9:12 If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving? But we have not made use of this right. Instead we endure everything so that we may not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Zeal | Self-denial | SCRIBES | Minister | Gospel | Evil | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 1Co 9:12 - -- Over you ( humōn ). Objective genitive after exousian .

Over you ( humōn ).

Objective genitive after exousian .

Robertson: 1Co 9:12 - -- Do not we yet more? ( ou mallon hēmeis̱ ). Because of Paul’ s peculiar relation to that church as founder and apostle.

Do not we yet more? ( ou mallon hēmeis̱ ).

Because of Paul’ s peculiar relation to that church as founder and apostle.

Robertson: 1Co 9:12 - -- But we bear all things ( alla panta stegomen ). Old verb to cover (stegē , roof) and so to cover up, to conceal, to endure (1Co 13:7 of love). Paul...

But we bear all things ( alla panta stegomen ).

Old verb to cover (stegē , roof) and so to cover up, to conceal, to endure (1Co 13:7 of love). Paul deliberately declined to use (usual instrumental case with chraomai ) his right to pay in Corinth.

Robertson: 1Co 9:12 - -- That we may cause no hindrance ( hina mē tina enkopēn dōmen ). Late word enkopē , a cutting in (cf. radio or telephone) or hindrance from e...

That we may cause no hindrance ( hina mē tina enkopēn dōmen ).

Late word enkopē , a cutting in (cf. radio or telephone) or hindrance from enkoptō , to cut in, rare word (like ekkopē ) here only in N.T. and once in Vettius Valens. How considerate Paul is to avoid "a hindrance to the gospel of Christ"(tōi euaggeliōi tou Christou , dative case and genitive) rather than insist on his personal rights and liberties, an eloquent example for all modern men.

Vincent: 1Co 9:12 - -- Power ( ἐξουσίας ) Rev., correctly, right . The right to claim maintenance.

Power ( ἐξουσίας )

Rev., correctly, right . The right to claim maintenance.

Vincent: 1Co 9:12 - -- Suffer ( στέγομεν ) Rev., bear . The primary meaning is to cover . So some render 1Co 13:7, covereth for beareth . Hence to pro...

Suffer ( στέγομεν )

Rev., bear . The primary meaning is to cover . So some render 1Co 13:7, covereth for beareth . Hence to protect by covering, as with a tight ship or roof. So Aesehylus, of a ship: " The wooden house with sails that keeps out (στέγων ) the sea" (" Suppliants," 126). " The tower keeps off (ἀποστέγει ) the multitude of the enemy" (" Seven against Thebes," 220). And so, to bear up against , endure . Compare 1Th 3:1, 1Th 3:5.

Vincent: 1Co 9:12 - -- Hinder ( ἐγκοπὴν δῶμεν ) Lit., give hindrance . Rev., cause hindrance . Ἑγκοπή hindrance , only here in the Ne...

Hinder ( ἐγκοπὴν δῶμεν )

Lit., give hindrance . Rev., cause hindrance . Ἑγκοπή hindrance , only here in the New Testament. Primarily, an incision , and so used by the physician Galen. Compare the kindred verb ἐγκόπτω to cut into , also occurring in Hippocrates in the surgical sense. In the sense of cutting into one's way, it gets the meaning of hindrance . See Act 24:4; Rom 15:22; Gal 5:7; 1Th 2:18; 1Pe 3:7. Compare the Latin intercidere to divide , inter-rupt .

Wesley: 1Co 9:12 - -- Whether true or false apostles.

Whether true or false apostles.

Wesley: 1Co 9:12 - -- Have a right to be maintained.

Have a right to be maintained.

Wesley: 1Co 9:12 - -- On account of our having laboured so much more? Lest we should give any hinderance to the gospel - By giving an occasion of cavil or reproach.

On account of our having laboured so much more? Lest we should give any hinderance to the gospel - By giving an occasion of cavil or reproach.

JFB: 1Co 9:12 - -- Whether true apostles (1Co 9:5) or false ones (2Co 11:20).

Whether true apostles (1Co 9:5) or false ones (2Co 11:20).

JFB: 1Co 9:12 - -- Considering our greater labors for you (2Co 11:23).

Considering our greater labors for you (2Co 11:23).

JFB: 1Co 9:12 - -- Without complaining of it. We desire to conceal (literally, "hold as a water-tight vessel") any distress we suffer from straitened circumstances. The ...

Without complaining of it. We desire to conceal (literally, "hold as a water-tight vessel") any distress we suffer from straitened circumstances. The same Greek is in 1Co 13:7.

JFB: 1Co 9:12 - -- Not to cause a hindrance to its progress by giving a handle for the imputation of self-seeking, if we received support from our flock. The less of inc...

Not to cause a hindrance to its progress by giving a handle for the imputation of self-seeking, if we received support from our flock. The less of incumbrance and expense caused to the Church, and the more of work done, the better for the cause of the Gospel (2Ti 2:4).

Clarke: 1Co 9:12 - -- If others be partakers of this power - If those who in any matter serve you have a right to a recompense for that service, surely we who have served...

If others be partakers of this power - If those who in any matter serve you have a right to a recompense for that service, surely we who have served you in the most essential matters have a right to our support while thus employed in your service

Clarke: 1Co 9:12 - -- We have not used this power - Though we had this right, we have not availed ourselves of it, but have worked with our hands to bear our own charges,...

We have not used this power - Though we had this right, we have not availed ourselves of it, but have worked with our hands to bear our own charges, lest any of you should think that we preached the Gospel merely to procure a temporal support, and so be prejudiced against us, and thus prevent our success in the salvation of your souls.

Calvin: 1Co 9:12 - -- 12.If others assume this power over you Again he establishes his own right from the example of others. For why should he alone be denied what others ...

12.If others assume this power over you Again he establishes his own right from the example of others. For why should he alone be denied what others assumed as their due? For as no one labored more than he among the Corinthians, no one was more deserving of a reward. He does not, however, make mention of what he has done, but of what he would have done in accordance with his right, if he had not of his own accord refrained from using it.

But we have not used this power He returns now to the point on which the matter hinges — that he had of his own accord given up that power which no one could refuse him, and that he was prepared rather to suffer all things, than by the use of his liberty throw any impediment in the way of the progress of the gospel. He wishes, therefore, that the Corinthians should, after his example, keep this end in view — to do nothing that would hinder or retard the progress of the gospel; for what he declares respecting himself it was their duty to perform according to their station; and he confirms here what he had said previously — that we must consider what is expedient (1Co 6:12.)

TSK: 1Co 9:12 - -- others : 2Co 11:20 are not : 1Co 9:2, 1Co 4:14, 1Co 4:15 Nevertheless : 1Co 9:15, 1Co 9:18; Act 20:31-34; 2Co 11:7-10, 2Co 12:13, 2Co 12:14; 1Th 2:6-9...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Co 9:12 - -- If others - Other teachers living with you. There can be no doubt that the teachers in Corinth urged this right, and received a support. B...

If others - Other teachers living with you. There can be no doubt that the teachers in Corinth urged this right, and received a support.

Be partakers of this power - Of this right to a support and maintenance.

Are not we rather - We the apostles; we who have labored for your conversion; who have founded your church; who have been the first, and the most laborious in instructing you, and imparting to you spiritual blessings? Have not we a better claim than they?.

Nevertheless we have not used this power - We have not urged this claim; we have chosen to forego this right, and to labor for our own support. The reason why they had done this, he states in the subsequent part of the chapter; see 2Co 11:7-9; 2Co 12:14; compare Act 18:3; Act 20:34-35.

But suffer all things - Endure all privations and hardships; we subject ourselves to poverty, want, hunger, thirst, nakedness, rather than urge a "claim"on you, and thus leave the suspicion that we are actuated by mercenary motives. The word used here ( στέγομεν stegomen suffer) means properly "to cover,"to keep off, as rain, etc., and then "to contain, to sustain, tolerate, endure."Here it means to bear, or endure all hardships; compare the notes at 1Co 4:11-13.

Lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ - Paul here states the reason why he had not urged a claim to support in preaching the gospel. It was not because he was not entitled to a full support, but it was that by denying himself of this right he could do good, and avoid some evil consequences which would have resulted if he had strenuously urged it. His conduct therefore in this was just one illustration of the principle on which he said 1Co 8:13 he would always act; a readiness to deny himself of things lawful, if by that he could promote the welfare of others. The reasons why his urging this claim might have hindered the gospel may have been many:

(1) It might have exposed him and the ministry generally to the charge of being mercenary.

\caps1 (2) i\caps0 t would have prevented his presenting in bold relief the fact that he was bound to preach the gospel at all events, and that he was actuated in it by a simple conviction of its truth.

\caps1 (3) i\caps0 t might have alienated many minds who might otherwise have been led to embrace it.

\caps1 (4) i\caps0 t would have prevented the exercise of self-denial in him, and the benefits which resulted from that self-denial, etc., 1Co 9:17-18, 1Co 9:23, 1Co 9:27.

Poole: 1Co 9:12 - -- If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Those false apostles or teachers, which were amongst the Corinthians, did (as it se...

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Those false apostles or teachers, which were amongst the Corinthians, did (as it seemeth) exercise this power, that is, required maintenance of the people; saith the apostle: Are not we by the same right possessed of such a power? Might not we as reasonably expect such a maintenance?

Objection. But might not they have said: No, you are not; they are constantly residing amongst us, and instructing us, &c.?

Answer. This arguing of the apostle lets us know, that the primitive churches were not only obliged to maintain their own pastors, but those also who were general officers to the church, and by the appointment of God were not to fix and abide in any one place, but had the care of all the churches upon them. And it may also teach us, that though Christians be in the first place obliged to take care of their own pastors, yet they are not to limit their charity to them, but also to take what care their ability will allow them of others, whose labours have at any time been useful to them, or may be useful to any other part of the church of God.

Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ: Yet, saith the apostle, though we have this power or liberty, neither I nor Barnabas have made use of it, but suffer all those evils that come upon our not using it, hunger, thirst, labour, lest we should hinder the progress of the gospel, while some might for the charge decline hearing us, or others might charge us with covetousness, &c.

Gill: 1Co 9:12 - -- If others are partakers of this power over you,.... Meaning not any tyrannical power and jurisdiction over them, with respect either to faith or pract...

If others are partakers of this power over you,.... Meaning not any tyrannical power and jurisdiction over them, with respect either to faith or practice; but the right of a maintenance, which either the false apostles, or the true ordinary ministers of the word there, justly claimed, and did enjoy:

are not we rather? he and Barnabas, especially himself, who was more than an ordinary minister, an apostle, and the first preacher of the Gospel to them:

nevertheless, we have not used this power; though others had, and they had a right to it, but did not choose to insist upon it; and, rather than do so, worked with their own hands; their not making use of this power was not because they stood in no need of it, and enjoyed an affluence of temporal things, for the reverse of this was their case:

but suffer all things: famine, thirst, nakedness, hard labour, and many other hardships:

lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ; some might suggest, that they preached the Gospel only for gain, and not for the good of souls, and glory of Christ; and other mean spirited persons might be backward of embracing and professing the Gospel, lest it should become chargeable to them; wherefore that the Gospel might not be retarded in its course by the calumny of some, and the sordidness of others, the apostle thought fit to drop his claim to a maintenance from them; though at the same time he would have them know it was a just due, and therefore goes on to defend it by other arguments.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: 1Co 9:12 ( 8 ) If others be partakers of [this] ( k ) power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, les...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Co 9:1-27 - --1 He shows his liberty;7 and that the minister ought to live by the Gospel;15 yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,18 to be either chargea...

MHCC: 1Co 9:1-14 - --It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of ...

Matthew Henry: 1Co 9:3-14 - -- Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the rights belonging to his office, especially that of being maintained by it. I. Th...

Barclay: 1Co 9:1-14 - --At first sight this chapter seems quite disconnected from what goes before but in fact it is not. The whole point lies in this--the Corinthians who c...

Constable: 1Co 7:1--16:13 - --III. Questions asked of Paul 7:1--16:12 The remainder of the body of this epistle deals with questions the Corin...

Constable: 1Co 8:1--11:2 - --B. Food offered to idols 8:1-11:1 The Corinthians had asked Paul another question, evidently in a combat...

Constable: 1Co 9:1-27 - --2. Paul's apostolic defense ch. 9 The absence of the key phrase "now concerning" is the clue tha...

Constable: 1Co 9:3-14 - --Apostolic rights 9:3-14 The issue of Paul's right to their material support underlies this whole pericope. "Philosophers and wandering missionaries in...

College: 1Co 9:1-27 - --1 CORINTHIANS 9 B. THE RIGHTS OF AN APOSTLE (9:1-27) 1. Paul's Rights as Apostle (9:1-6) 1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesu...

McGarvey: 1Co 9:12 - --If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hin...

Lapide: 1Co 9:1-27 - --CHAPTER 9 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He proceeds to show by his own example how offences are to be avoided, and he says that he had refused to accep...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) First Corinthians From Ephesus a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction It would be a hard-boiled critic today who would dare deny the genuineness o...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The AUTHENTICITY of this Epistle is attested by CLEMENT OF ROME [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 47], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], and...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Outline) THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. ...

TSK: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Co 9:1, He shows his liberty; 1Co 9:7, and that the minister ought to live by the Gospel; 1Co 9:15, yet that himself has of his own acco...

Poole: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 9

MHCC: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The Corinthian church contained some Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition of the one, and the sinful conduct ...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) (1Co 9:1-14) The apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be maintained. (1Co 9:15-23) He waved this part of his Christian liberty, for ...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that partic...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against himself. I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his suc...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) The Unclaimed Privileges (1Co_9:1-14) The Privilege And The Task (1Co_9:15-23) A Real Fight (1Co_9:24-27)

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Corinth had a long history stretching back into the...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-9 A. Salutation 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving 1:4-9 ...

Constable: 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presb...

Haydock: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city...

Gill: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS This was not the first epistle that was written by the apostle to the Corinthians, for we read in this of his having ...

Gill: 1 Corinthians 9 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 9 The principal things in this chapter are the proof of the apostle's office and authority; arguments for his own mai...

College: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) FOREWORD Since the past few decades have seen an explosion in the number of books, articles, and commentaries on First Corinthians, a brief word to t...

College: 1 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION - 1:1-9 A. Salutation - 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving - 1:4-9 II. DISUNITY AND COMMUNITY FRAGMENTATION - 1:10-4:21 A. ...

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