1 Cor 9

 

Footnotes

1. 9:1 As implied by the perfect active indicative. Paul has seen the Lord, but the effects of that “seeing” continue on in full force (i.e., “I continue to have him in my sight”).
2. 9:1 These four forceful rhetorical questions are emphatic in the Greek construction, which means they each demand an answer in the affirmative. Although some commentators view these four questions as qualifications of an apostle, there is no indication that this is indeed the purpose of his questions. Paul is defending his apostleship, not listing qualifications of apostles. The seven arguments he makes in defense of his apostleship are the following:   (1) He enjoys freedom from all bondage, both from the world and religion (v. 1). (2) He had face-to-face encounters with Jesus (v. 1; 15:8). (3) The formation of the church of Corinth validates his apostleship (vv. 1–2; Acts 18). (4) His unselfish lifestyle resulted in not demanding to be paid for his ministry (vv. 3–15). (5) He was given a divine stewardship (vv. 16–18). (6) He was determined to win everyone through the gospel of Christ (vv. 19–23). (7) He lived a disciplined life in order to succeed in the obstacle course of ministry for Christ (vv. 24–27).
3. 9:3 The Aramaic is quite blunt: “Those who judge me I rebuke in [the] spirit.”
4. 9:4 Or “to eat and drink,” a euphemism to describe financial support.
5. 9:5 See Mark 6:3; John 2:12.
6. 9:6 Made explicit from the Greek disjunctive particle.
7. 9:6 Apostles were usually cared for and financially supported by the church so they didn’t have to engage in secular work for their wages, although Paul and Barnabas, on different occasions, supported themselves without being a burden to the congregations (see vv. 12–15).
8. 9:9 See Deut. 25:4; 1 Tim. 5:18.
9. 9:10 Or “Doesn’t he say this for our sake [as apostles]?”
10. 9:11 The Greek word pneumatikos is often used for spiritual gifts, not just spiritual blessings. See 1 Cor. 12:1; 14:1. The Aramaic is explicit: “Since we have planted the Spirit in you, we should harvest financially from you.”
11. 9:12 Or “We have endured all things.”
12. 9:13 Or “those who work with sacred things.”
13. 9:13 The Aramaic word for temple is “house of blessing.”
14. 9:13 Or “what is offered on the altar.” See Lev. 6:9–11, 19.
15. 9:15 Paul uses the rhetorical device of abruptly breaking off his statement (“I would rather die than—”). This is known as an aposiopesis, meant to intensify the importance of having the joy of boasting in the fact that Paul provided for his own needs in ministry.
16. 9:19 That is, Paul lived free from the obligation of pleasing those who paid him a salary. He lived by faith, yet he still became the servant of all.
17. 9:22 Or “I have become all things to all different kinds of people”; that is, he adapted culturally wherever he ministered.
18. 9:23 Paul is declaring the five motivating principles for his ministry:                                     (1) Always start by finding common ground with those you want to reach. (2) Avoid projecting to others that you are a know-it-all. (3) Accept everyone regardless of his or her issues. (4) Be sensitive to the culture of others. (5) Use every opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people.
19. 9:24 Or “the runners in a stadium.” This refers to the Pan-Hellenic stadium near Corinth where the Isthmian games were held.
20. 9:26 Or “I don’t run aimlessly.” That is, Paul ran with his eyes on the goal of ending well.
21. 9:27 Or “I beat my body black and blue.” This is an obvious metaphor of placing the desires of one’s body as second place to the desires of the Holy Spirit. See Rom. 8:13.