1Paul vindicateth his apostolical character, 3and right to a maintenance from the churches; 15though he relinquished that right for the furtherance of the gospel, not content with doing only his indispensable duty; 19but voluntarily subjecting himself in many points, where he was otherwise free, in order thereby to win over more converts to Christ. 24Those who contend for a corruptible crown use much labour and abstinence; 26so doth the apostle strive for one that is incorruptible.
1AM I not an apostle? am I not 1free? havea I not 2seen Jesus Christ our Lord? areb not ye 3my work in the Lord?
1 Namely, from the ceremonies of the law, and in that regard to eat all kinds of meat which might be set before me, as well as any other of the apostles. See a contrary example, Dan. 1:8, and Acts 10:14, 28.
a Acts 9:3, 17; 22:14, 18; 23:11; 1 Cor. 15:8; 2 Cor. 12:2.
2 Namely, as well as the other apostles, when I was called by Him to the apostleship, and afterwards in a vision, in ecstasy, and being taken up into heaven, See Acts 9:17; 2 Cor. 12:2.
b 1 Cor. 4:15.
3 That is, who are converted to the Lord by my ministry.
2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless 4I am to you: for 5the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
4 That is, notwithstanding, ye have no reason to doubt thereof.
5 That is, the confirmation that I am truly an apostle, forasmuch as you were converted by my ministry, and God has confirmed my calling among you by many miracles and signs, 2 Cor. 12:12.
3Mine answer to them 6that do examine me is this,
6 Or, who examine me, or condemn me, that is, who dare as judge take upon them to judge me.
4Havec we not power 7to eat and to drink?
c verse 14; 1 Thes. 2:6; 2 Thes. 3:9.
7 Namely, at the cost and charge of the congregation.
5Have we not power 8to lead about a sister, 9a wife, as well as other apostles, and as 10the brethren of the Lord, and 11Cephas?d
8 Namely, from one place to another where we go to preach, at the costs of the congregation.
9 Gr. a sister, a woman or a wife. Some think from this that the apostle had a wife, but that he did not lead her everywhere with him, that he might not burden the congregations. But this seems to be contradictory to that which he says of himself, 1 Cor. 7:7. Others think that hereby are understood certain women who followed the apostles to serve them, and to provide for them of their means, as the women who followed Christ, Luke 8:3. But besides this, we read this nowhere, so it is not likely to be true. For, hereby the apostles would have rendered their ministry suspect, and the congregations would have been eased hereby, whereas the apostle evidently brings this in to show that he would not burden the congregations herewith. So that this therefore is to be understood of a wife, whom he had not, but whom he might have taken, and consequently also have led with him, as some other apostles did.
10 That is, cousins, Hebraism. For, John and James, and also Judas and Simon were Christ’s full cousins, or mother’s sister’s sons. See Gen. 13:8, and 29:15; Mat. 12:46; 13:55.
11 That is, Peter, of whose wife we read in Mat. 8:14.
d Mat. 8:14.
6Or I only and Barnabas, have 12not we power to forbear working?
12 Namely, with our hands for our maintenance. See Acts 18:3; 20:34.
7Who goethe a warfare any time at his own charges? who plantethf a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or whog feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
e 2 Cor. 10:4.
f 1 Cor. 3:6, 7, 8.
g John 21:15; 1 Peter 5:2.
8Say I these things 13as a man? or saith not 14the law the same also?
13 That is, do I prove this only with reasons which are taken from the actions of men?
14 Namely, written by Moses.
9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thouh shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox 15that treadeth out the corn. 16Doth God take care for oxen?
h Deut. 25:4; 1 Tim. 5:18.
15 In those countries, as also in others, men do not beat the corn out of the ears with flails, as they do here, but they cause beasts, especially oxen to go over it, and so tread the same, and trample it loose out of the ears, or draw the threshing wagon over it. See Deut. 25:4; Isa. 28:27.
16 Namely, chiefly, or more than for men when He made this law. For, otherwise there is not so much as a sparrow forgotten before the Lord. See Mat. 10:29. So that this is to be understood comparatively, that God made this law more for men than for oxen, to give us to understand that if God will not have men to withhold his food from the laboring oxen, that much less ought we to withhold the same from men who labor.
10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow 17in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
17 Namely, of enjoying the fruits of his labor afterwards.
11Ifi18we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your 19carnal things?
i Rom. 15:27; Gal. 6:6.
18 Namely, I and Barnabas, who have proclaimed unto you the Word of God. See Rom. 15:27.
19 Or, bodily, that is, the good things which serve for the sustentation of our bodies.
12If 20others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Neverthelessj we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should 21hinder the gospel of Christ.
20 Namely, ordinary teachers, whom we have left there to finish after us the work that is begun.
j Acts 20:33; 2 Cor. 11:9; 12:13.
21 Namely, partly from the unbelievers, who for fear of the expenses might have shunned the Word; partly from certain false apostles, who might have slandered Paul as if he preached the Gospel for maintenance’ sake, whereas they would seem to do the same for nothing, that so they might draw the congregations to them. See 2 Cor. 11:12.
13Do ye not know thatk they 22which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait 23at the altar are partakers 24with the altar?
k Deut. 18:1.
22 Such as were all the Levites in the Old Testament, who therefore received tenths and had their part in what was offered. See Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 18.
23 Gr. sit continually by the altar, as were there the priests, the posterity of Aaron, who received tithes also of the tithes of the Levites, and had a special part in all sacrifices, except those which must be completely burnt before the Lord. Num. 18:26, etc.
24 Seeing one part was burned upon the altar and consumed by the fire, and another part was kept for the priests.
14Evenl so hath 25he Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live 26of the gospel.
l Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:14; 25:4; Mat. 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Tim. 5:18.
25 He has respect here to Christ’s ordinance, Mat. 10:10; Luke 10:7.
26 That is, of the labor which they do in preaching the Gospel, and in governing the congregation.
15But I have used 27none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were 28better for me 29to die, than that any man should make 30my glorying void.
27 Namely, among you, although he sometimes received from other congregations some generosity, 2 Cor. 11:8.
28 Gr. rather good to die, that is, more advisable, or more proper.
29 Namely, for want.
30 Namely, of having preached the Gospel among you without offense and without your costs. The reason hereof, see previously in verse 12.
16For though I preach the gospel, 31I have nothing to glory of: form32necessity is laid upon me; yea, 33woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
31 That is, I do nothing but what I ought to do, Luke 17:10.
m Rom. 1:14.
32 Or, necessity lies upon me. Namely, by my calling and Christ’s command, Rom. 1:14.
33 Gr. woe is me, that is, the punishment is ready for me, which Christ has threatened to the unfaithful servant, Mat. 24:48, etc. Not that the apostle doubted or whether he would continue faithfully in his ministry, but this he says, to stir up by such incitements more and more both himself and others unto diligence and prudence in their ministry.
17For if I do this thing 34willingly, I have a 35reward: but if 36against my will, a dispensationnof the gospel 37is committed unto me.
34 That is, gladly, and with due care and diligence, without regarding the judgment of men, Rom. 12:8, 11.
35 Namely, the crown of glory, which is of grace promised by the Lord to faithful and diligent servants, Mat. 24:46, 47; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8, and the glory of faithfulness in this life against the false apostles.
36 That is, only for fear of punishment, or to have honor and profit with men; as hirelings and slaves use to serve their masters.
n administration, stewardship, distribution.
37 Namely, to give account thereof hereafter.
1838What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I 39abuse not 40my power in the gospel.
38 That is, I have then first to expect reward from the Lord if I do it with diligence and faithfulness, respecting only the glory of God, and the greatest edification of the congregation, without hope of reward from men. And as I observed that the receiving of reward from men would give offense, and hinder edification and the cause of the Gospel, therefore I would not receive it; and for that I may glory unto you, but not unto God. See Rom. 4:2; 2 Cor. 11:10.
39 That is, to use with offense, and with reproach of the false apostles, verse 15.
40 Namely, which I have to take appropriate maintenance.
19For though I be free 41from all men, yet have I made myself servant 42unto all, that I might 43gain the more.
41 Namely, burdens and yokes, from which the Christians and apostolic liberty makes us free. The apostle therefore proceeds from this point in which, for edification’s sake, he did not use his liberty unto more other points, wherein he likewise did not use the same, to convince the more the Corinthians, that according to his example they ought to do the like and not use their liberty to the offense and hindrance of the course of the Gospel.
42 That is, I have condescended to everyone’s weakness, or as a servant must always carry himself according to the condition and inclination of him whom he serves. But this must always be understood in indifferent things. So also verse 22.
43 That is, bring to faith in Christ. See the like phrase, 1 Peter 3:1.
20Ando unto 44the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under 45the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
o Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:23.
44 Namely, in things which were indifferent, as was then yet the observation of the ceremonies of the Old Testament with the weak Jews. As for their sakes he caused Timothy to be circumcised; caused his head to be shaven at Çenchrea by a vow; and at Jerusalem purified himself in the temple.
45 Namely, of ceremonies, which was then abolished by Christ’s suffering, as much as concerns that which was religious therein, but was yet borne for a time as a thing indifferent, not to estrange the weak Jews. See Acts 21:10.
21Top them that are 46without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but 47under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
p Gal. 2:3.
46 That is, the Gentiles, who had not the ceremonial law, neither were bound to use it, according to the decree of the apostles, Acts 15:28 and 21:25.
47 This he adds that no man might misconstrue which he had said before, that he had been as without law, seeing in all that he did, he had always before his eyes the law and commands of Christ in bearing the weak, and in shunning of offenses, Gal. 6:2.
22Toq the 48weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save 49some.
q Rom. 15:1; 1 Cor. 10:33; Gal. 6:1.
48 Namely, Christians, or believers, who indeed embraced the foundation of the christian faith, but as for that, which concerns christian liberty, could not yet comprehend it well in all things, Rom. 14:1; Gal. 6:2.
49 Hereby he expounds that which before he called to gain. See 1 Tim. 4:16.
23And this I do for the gospel’s sake, 50that I might be partaker thereof with you.
50 That is, in order that not only others might be saved by my preaching, but that I myself may also be a participant of this salvation, which would not be if I did not do myself what I teach others.
2451Know ye not that they which 52run in a race run all, but 53one receiveth the prize? So 54run, that ye may 55obtain.
51 From here on the apostle teaches that they should be so far from being very much troubled about meat and drink, or feasts of idolaters, that they themselves must rather be careful to exercise them in all soberness, temperance and forbearance, which he proves by the examples of those who strive for a prize, and also by his own example.
52 Namely, for a prize.
53 Namely, who not only begins well with others, but finishes well before others.
54 That is, so diligently and constantly even unto the end.
55 Or, apprehend, namely, the proposed prize of the glory of God, Philip. 3:12, 13, 14.
25Andr every man 56that striveth for the mastery is 57temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a 58corruptible crown; but we ans59incorruptible.
r 2 Tim. 2:4.
56 Namely, by running, wrestling or fighting, as there were such sorts of striving for the prize among the ancients.
57 Or, moderates himself, namely, from much meat, drink, sleep, and other things, which make him slow or inapt in the strife.
58 Namely, of laurels, olive branches, oak leaves and the like, or at the most of silver or gold, such as were propounded to those who strove for a prize.
s 2 Tim. 4:8; 1 Peter 1:4; 5:4.
59 That is, imperishable, or everlasting, 1 Peter 1:4.
26I therefore so run, 60not as uncertainly; so fight I, not 61as one that beateth the air:
60 Namely, like these fighters or runners do for a prize, who know not whether they shall get the prize or not, 2 Tim. 4:7, 8.
61 Namely, as they do, who do not fight or strive in good earnest, but only fight with a shadow, and exercise themselves against the air, from whence happens no victory over the adversary; which we must do in earnest against sin and the devil, Eph. 6:11.
27But I 62keep under my body, and bring it 63into subjection: lest that by any means, when I 64have preached to others, I myself should be 65a castaway.t
62 The Greek word signifies to strike under the eyes by blows to tame or bring under his obedience. See of this word also, Luke 18:5.
63 Namely, to subdue the same to the spirit, and not to oppress the spirit by too much food or by too great luxury.
64 Namely, to bring them to salvation.
65 That is, make myself unfit or incapable of the prize whereunto I incite and stir up others; whereby the apostle means not to say that he is uncertain of his election, and of obtaining this prize; for the contrary appears clearly, Rom. 8:38; 2 Tim. 4:7, 8, but this is a similitude, taken from the same striving for the prize, wherein the slow or lazy, who had fed themselves too much, were rejected and disallowed for it as incompetent.
t rejected.