9:1 {Am I not free?} (Ouk eimi eleuqeros;). Free as a Christian from Mosaic ceremonialism (cf. #9:19) as much as any Christian and yet he adapts his moral independence to the principle of considerate love in #8:13. {Am I not an apostle?} (ouk eimi apostolos;). He has the exceptional privileges as an apostle to support from the churches and yet he foregoes these. {Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?} (ouci iesoun ton kurion hemwn heoraka;). Proof (#15:8; Ac 9:17,27; 18:9; 22:14,17f.; 2Co 12:1ff.) that he has the qualification of an apostle (#Ac 1:22) though not one of the twelve. Note strong form of the negative ouci here. All these questions expect an affirmative answer. The perfect active heoraka from horaw, to see, does not here have double reduplication as in #Joh 1:18.

{Are not ye?} (ou humeis este;). They were themselves proof of his apostleship.

9:2 {Yet at least I am to you} (alla ge humin eimi). An _argumentum ad hominem_ and a pointed appeal for their support. Note use of alla ge in the apodosis (cf. #8:6).

9:3 {My defence} (he eme apologia). Original sense, not idea of apologizing as we say. See on ¯Ac 22:1; 25:16. Refers to what precedes and to what follows as illustration of #8:13. {To them that examine me} (tois eme anakrinousin). See on ¯1Co 2:15; 4:3. The critics in Corinth were "investigating" Paul with sharp eyes to find faults. How often the pastor is under the critic's spy-glass.

9:4 {Have we no right?} (me ouk ecomen exousian;). Literary plural here though singular in #1-3. The me in this double negative expects the answer "No" while ouk goes with the verb ecomen. "Do we fail to have the right?" Cf. #Ro 10:18f. (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1173).

9:5 {Have we no right?} (me ouk ecomen exousian;). Same idiom. {To lead about a wife that is a believer?} (adelfen gunaika periagein;). Old verb periagw, intransitive in #Ac 13:11. Two substantives in apposition, a sister a wife, a common Greek idiom. this is a plea for the support of the preacher's wife and children. Plainly Paul has no wife at this time. {And Cephas} (kai kefas). Why is he singled out by name? Perhaps because of his prominence and because of the use of his name in the divisions in Corinth (#1:12). It was well known that Peter was married (#Mt 8:14). Paul mentions James by name in #Ga 1:19 as one of the Lord's brothers. All the other apostles were either married or had the right to be.

9:6 {Have we not a right to forbear working?} (ouk ecomen exousian me ergazesqai;). By e (or) Paul puts the other side about Barnabas (the only allusion since the dispute in #Ac 15:39, but in good spirit) and himself. Perhaps (Hofmann) Paul has in mind the fact that in the first great mission tour (#Ac 13; 14), Barnabas and Paul received no help from the church in Antioch, but were left to work their way along at their own charges. It was not till the Philippian Church took hold that Paul had financial aid (#Php 4:15). Here both negatives have their full force. Literally, Do we not have (ouk ecomen, expecting the affirmative reply) the right not (me, negative of the infinitive ergazesthai) to do manual labor (usual meaning of ergazomai as in #4:12)?" There was no more compulsion on Paul and Barnabas to support themselves than upon the other workers for Christ. They renounced no rights in being voluntarily independent.

9:7 {What soldier ever serveth?} (tis strateuetai pote;). "Who ever serves as a soldier?" serves in an army (stratos). Present middle of old verb strateuw. {At his own charges} (idiois oywniois). this late word oywnion (from oyon, cooked meat or relish with bread, and wneomai, to buy) found in Menander, Polybius, and very common in papyri and inscriptions in the sense of rations or food, qen for the soldiers' wages (often provisions) or the pay of any workman. So of the wages of sin (#Ro 6:23). Paul uses labwn oywnion (receiving wages, the regular idiom) in #2Co 11:8. See Moulton and Milligan, _Vocabulary_; Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, pp. 148,266; _Light from the Ancient East_, p. 168. To give proof of his right to receive pay for preaching Paul uses the illustrations of the soldier (verse #7), the husbandman (verse #7), the shepherd (verse #7), the ox treading out the grain (#8), the ploughman (verse #10), the priests in the temple (#13), proof enough in all conscience, and yet not enough for some churches who even today starve their pastors in the name of piety. {Who planteth a vineyard?} (tis futeuei ampelwna;). ampelwn no earlier than Diodorus, but in LXX and in papyri. Place of vines (ampelos), meaning of ending -wn. {Who feedeth a flock?} (tis poimainei poimnen;). Cognate accusative, both old words. Paul likens the pastor to a soldier, vinedresser, shepherd. He contends with the world, he plants churches, he exercises a shepherd's care over them (Vincent).

9:8 {Do I speak these things after the manner of men?} (me kata anqrwpon tauta lalw;). Negative answer expected. Paul uses kata anqrwpon six times (#1Co 3:3; 9:8; 15:32; Gal 1:11; 3:15; Ro 3:5). The illustrations from human life are pertinent, but he has some of a higher order, from Scripture. {The law also} (kai ho nomos). Perhaps objection was made that the Scripture does not support the practice of paying preachers. That objection is still made by the stingy.

9:9 {Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn} (ou fimwseis boun alownta). Quotation from #De 25:4. Prohibition by ou and the volitive future indicative. fimow, to muzzle (from fimos, a muzzle for dogs and oxen), appears first in Aristophanes (_Clouds_, 592) and not again till LXX and N.T., though in the papyri also. Evidently a vernacular word, perhaps a slang word. See metaphorical use in #Mt 22:12,34. alownta is present active participle of the old verb aloaw, occurs in the N.T. only here (and verse #10) and #1Ti 5:18 where it is also quoted. It is probably derived from halos or halon, a threshing-floor, or the disc of a shield or of the sun and moon. The Egyptians according to the monuments, used oxen to thresh out the grain, sometimes donkeys, by pulling a drag over the grain. The same process may be found today in Andalusia, Italy, Palestine. A hieroglyphic inscription at Eileithyas reads:

"Thresh ye yourselves, O oxen, Measures of grain for yourselves, Measures of grain for your masters."

Note me melei expects the negative answer, impersonal verb with dative and genitive cases (qeoi, God, bown, oxen). {Altogether} (pantws). But here probably with the notion of doubtless or assuredly. The editors differ in the verse divisions here. The Canterbury Version puts both these questions in verse #10, the American Standard the first in verse #9, the second in verse #10.

9:10 {He that plougheth} (ho arotriwn). Late verb arotriaw, to plough, for the old arow from arotron (plough), in LXX and rare in papyri. {In hope of partaking} (ep' elpidi tou metecein). The infinitive aloain is not repeated nor is ofeilei though it is understood, "He that thresheth ought to thresh in hope of partaking." He that ploughs hardly refers to the ox at the plough as he that threshes does. The point is that all the workers (beast or man) share in the fruit of the toil.

9:11 {Is it a great matter?} (mega;). The copula estin has to be supplied. Note two conditions of first class with ei, both assumed to be true. On pneumatika and sarkika see on ¯2:14; 3:3. this point comes out sharply also in #Ga 6:6.

9:12 {Over you} (humwn). Objective genitive after exousian. {Do not we yet more?} (ou mallon hemeis;). Because of Paul's peculiar relation to that church as founder and apostle. {But we bear all things} (alla panta stegomen). Old verb to cover (stege, roof) and so to cover up, to conceal, to endure (#1Co 13:7 of love). Paul deliberately declined to use (usual instrumental case with craomai) his right to pay in Corinth. {That we may cause no hindrance} (hina me tina enkopen dwmen). Late word enkope, a cutting in (cf. _radio_ or telephone) or hindrance from enkoptw, to cut in, rare word (like ekkopˆ) here only in N.T. and once in Vettius Valens. How considerate Paul is to avoid "a hindrance to the gospel of Christ" (twi euaggeliwi tou cristou, dative case and genitive) rather than insist on his personal rights and liberties, an eloquent example for all modern men.

9:13 {Sacred things} (ta hiera). {Of the temple} (tou hierou). Play on the same word hierou (sacred). See #Nu 18:8-20 for the details. this is a very pertinent illustration. {They which wait upon the altar} (hoi twi qusiasteriwi paredreuontes). Old word paredreuw, to sit beside, from par--edros, like Latin _assidere_, and so constant attendance. Only here in the N.T. Locative case qusiasteriwi, late word found so far only in LXX, Philo, Josephus, N.T., and ecclesiastical writers. See on ¯Mt 5:23.

9:14 {Even so did the Lord ordain} (houtws kai ho kurios dietaxen). Just as God gave orders about the priests in the temple, so did the Lord Jesus give orders for those who preach the gospel to live out of the gospel (ek tou euaggeliou zein). Evidently Paul was familiar with the words of Jesus in #Mt 10:10; Lu 10:7f. either in oral or written form. He has made his argument for the minister's salary complete for all time.

9:15 {For it were good for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void} (kalon gar moi mallon apoqanein e to kaucema mou oudeis kenwsei). The tangled syntax of this sentence reflects the intensity of Paul's feeling on the subject. He repeats his refusal to use his privileges and rights to a salary by use of the present perfect middle indicative (kecremai). By the epistolary aorist (egraya) he explains that he is not now hinting for a change on their part towards him in the matter, "in my case" (en emoi). qen he gives his reason in vigorous language without a copula (en, were): "For good for me to die rather than," but here he changes the construction by a violent anacoluthon. Instead of another infinitive (kenwsai) after e (than) he changes to the future indicative without hoti or hina, "No one shall make my glorying void," viz., his independence of help from them. kenow is an old verb, from kenos, empty, only in Paul in N.T. See on ¯1Co 1:17.

9:16 {For if I preach} (ean gar euaggelizwmai). Third class condition, supposable case. Same construction in verse #16 (ean me). {For necessity is laid upon me} (anagke gar moi epikeitai). Old verb, lies upon me (dative case moi). Jesus had called him (#Ac 9:6,15; Ga 1:15f.; Ro 1:14). He could do no other and deserves no credit for doing it. {Woe is me} (ouai gar moi). Explaining the anagke (necessity). Paul had to heed the call of Christ that he had heard. He had a real call to the ministry. Would that this were the case with every modern preacher.

9:17 {Of mine own will} (hekwn) {--not of mine own will} (akwn). Both common adjectives, but only here in N.T. save hekwn, also in #Ro 8:20. The argument is not wholly clear. Paul's call was so clear that he certainly did his work {willingly} and so had a reward (see on ¯Mt 6:1 for misqos); but the only {reward} that he had for his willing work (Marcus Dods) was to make the gospel {free of expense} (adapanon, verse #18, rare word, here only in N.T., once in inscription at Priene). this was his misqos. It was glorying (kaucema, to be able to say so as in #Ac 20:33f.). {I have a stewardship intrusted to me} (oikonomian pepisteumai). Perfect passive indicative with the accusative retained. I have been intrusted with a stewardship and so would go on with my task like any oikonomos (steward) even if akwn (unwilling).

9:18 {So as not to use to the full} (eis to me katacresasqai). eis to for purpose with articular infinitive and perfective use of kata (as in #7:31) with cresasqai (first aorist middle infinitive).

9:19 {I brought myself under bondage} (emauton edoulwsa). Voluntary bondage, I enslaved myself to all, though free. Causative verb in -ow (doulow, from doulos). The more (tous pleionas). Than he could have done otherwise. Every preacher faces this problem of his personal attitude and conduct. Note kerdesw (as in verses #20,21,22, but once hina kerdanw in #21, regular liquid future of kerdainw) with hina is probably future active indicative (#Jas 4:13), though Ionic aorist active subjunctive from kerdaw is possible (#Mt 18:15). "He refuses payment in money that he may make the greater gain in souls" (Edwards).

9:20 {As a Jew} (hws ioudaios). He was a Jew and was not ashamed of it (#Ac 18:18; 21:26). {Not being myself under the law} (me wn autos hupo nomon). He was emancipated from the law as a means of salvation, yet he knew how to speak to them because of his former beliefs and life with them (#Ga 4:21). He knew how to put the gospel to them without compromise and without offence.

9:21 {To them that are without law} (tois anomois). The heathen, those outside the Mosaic law (#Ro 2:14), not lawless (#Lu 22:37; Ac 2:23; 1Ti 1:9). See how Paul bore himself with the pagans (#Ac 14:15; 17:23; 24:25), and how he quoted heathen poets. "Not being an outlaw of God, but an inlaw of Christ" (Evans, Estius has it _exlex, inlex_, mˆ "n anomos qeou, all' ennomos cristou). The genitive case of qeou and cristou (specifying case) comes out better thus, for it seems unusual with anomos and ennomos, both old and regular adjectives.

9:22 {I became weak} (egenomen asqenes). this is the chief point, the climax in his plea for the principle of love on the part of the enlightened for the benefit of the unenlightened (chapter #1Co 8). He thus brings home his conduct about renouncing pay for preaching as an illustration of love (#8:13). {All things} (panta) {to all men} (tois pasin, the whole number) {by all means} (pantws). Pointed play on the word all, {that I may save some} (hina tinas swsw). this his goal and worth all the cost of adaptation. In matters of principle Paul was adamant as about Titus the Greek (#Ga 2:5). In matters of expediency as about Timothy (#Ac 16:3) he would go half way to win and to hold. this principle was called for in dealing with the problem of eating meat offered to idols (#Ro 14:1; 15:1; 1Th 5:14).

9:23 {That I may be a joint partaker thereof} (hina sunkoinwnos autou genwmai). Literally, That I may become co-partner with others in the gospel. The point is that he may be able to share the gospel with others, his evangelistic passion. sunkoinwnos is a compound word (sun, together with, koinwnos, partner or sharer). We have two genitives with it in #Php 1:7, though en and the locative is used in #Re 1:9. It is found only in the N.T. and a late papyrus. Paul does not wish to enjoy the gospel just by himself.

9:24 {In a race} (en stadiwi). Old word from histemi, to place. A stated or fixed distance, 606 3/4 feet, both masculine stadioi (#Mt 14:24; Lu 24:13) and neuter as here. Most of the Greek cities had race-courses for runners like that at Olympia. {The prize} (to brabeion). Late word, in inscriptions and papyri. Latin _brabeum_. In N. T. only here and #Php 3:14. The victor's prize which only one could receive. {That ye may attain} (hina katalabete). Final use of hina and perfective use of kata- with labete (effective aorist active subjunctive, grasp and hold). Old verb katalambanw and used in #Php 3:12ff.

9:25 {That striveth in the games} (ho agwnizomenos). Common verb for contest in the athletic games (agwn), sometimes with the cognate accusative, agwna agwnizomai as in #1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 4:7. Probably Paul often saw these athletic games. {Is temperate in all things} (panta egkrateuetai). Rare verb, once in Aristotle and in a late Christian inscription, and #1Co 7:9 and here, from egkrates, common adjective for one who controls himself. The athlete qen and now has to control himself (direct middle) in all things (accusative of general reference). this is stated by Paul as an athletic axiom. Training for ten months was required under the direction of trained judges. Abstinence from wine was required and a rigid diet and regimen of habits.

{A corruptible crown} (fqarton stefanon). stefanos (crown) is from stefw, to put around the head, like the Latin _corona_, wreath or garland, badge of victory in the games. In the Isthmian games it was of pine leaves, earlier of parsley, in the Olympian games of the wild olive. "Yet these were the most coveted honors in the whole Greek world" (Findlay). For the crown of thorns on Christ's head see #Mt 27:29; Mr 15:17; Joh 19:2,5. diadema (diadem) was for kings (#Re 12:3). Favorite metaphor in N.T., the crown of righteousness (#2Ti 4:8), the crown of life (#Jas 1:12), the crown of glory (#1Pe 5:4), the crown of rejoicing (#1Th 2:9), description of the Philippians (#Php 4:1). Note contrast between fqarton (verbal adjective from fqeirw, to corrupt) like the garland of pine leaves, wild olive, or laurel, and afqarton (same form with a privative) like the crown of victory offered the Christian, the amaranthine (unfading rose) crown of glory (#1Pe 5:4).

9:26 {So} (houtws). Both with trecw (run) and pukteuw (fight). {As not uncertainly} (hws ouk adelws). Instead of exhorting them further Paul describes his own conduct as a runner in the race. He explains houtws. adelws old adverb, only here in N.T. His objective is clear, with Christ as the goal (#Php 3:14). He kept his eye on Christ as Christ watched him. {Fight} (pukteuw). Paul changes the metaphor from the runner to the boxer. Old verb (only here in N.T.) from puktes (pugilist) and that from pugme (fist). See on ¯Mr 7:3). {As not beating the air} (hws ouk aera derwn). A boxer did this when practising without an adversary (cf. doing "the daily dozen") and this was called "shadow-fighting" (skiamacia). He smote something more solid than air. Probably ou negatives aera, though it still occurs with the participle as a strong and positive negative.