9:1 Am I not an apostle Implies that the Corinthian believers questioned Paul’s apostolic status and authority.

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord Paul refers to his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1–6; compare 1 Cor 15:3–9).

my work in the Lord Paul founded the church in Corinth (see note on 1:1–9; compare Acts 18:1–11).

9:2 you are my seal of apostleship Paul founded the church community in Corinth (Acts 18:1–11). If the Corinthian believers deny Paul’s apostleship, then they would also have to deny their own legitimacy as a church community. Their response to the gospel message and their maturity in the faith validate Paul’s apostleship.

9:3 to those who examine me Some of the Corinthians seem to have questioned Paul’s apostolic credentials and authority because he did not accept financial support from them. In the first century, itinerant speakers regularly collected money to continue their services.

9:5 a sister as wife Refers to an apostle’s right to be married and to have his spouse provided for by church communities.

Cephas The Apostle Simon Peter.

9:6 to refrain from working Paul worked as a tentmaker in Corinth (Acts 18:3). He may have wanted to be an example for them since many Greeks despised work (see 2 Thess 3:11–12). Some Corinthians may have considered this kind of work to be unfit for an apostle. Paul’s labor also alleviated his need for financial support for his ministry from the Corinthian church.

9:7 does not eat the fruit of it Compare Deut 20:6; Prov 27:18.

9:8 a human perspective Paul does not base his instruction on people’s judgment; instead, he bases it on God’s law.

the law Refers to the Pentateuch.

9:9 You must not muzzle an ox A quotation from Deut 25:4, which prohibited farmers from muzzling or closing their animal’s mouth while it worked. Since the ox performed the threshing, Deuteronomy indicates that it should be allowed to eat grain and derive some benefit from its labor. Paul uses this as an analogy for ministers of the gospel who, he argues, are entitled to material benefits for their service. Compare Luke 10:7.

9:10 in hope The one who plows the field hopes to partake in the crop.

9:11 spiritual things Refers to the gospel message (see Rom 15:27).

material things Refers to the provision (e.g., food and shelter) that could allow Paul to fulfill his ministry without working for a living.

9:12 others May refer to Apollos and Cephas (see note on 1 Cor 1:12).

we have not made use of this right Paul did not want anyone to question his motives for preaching the gospel, so he did not accept financial support. He also did not want to become socially indebted to potential benefactors because of their financial support.

any hindrance to the gospel Paul did not accept financial support from the Corinthians to emphasize the gospel’s “free” status (v. 18).

9:13 those performing the holy services May refer to the Levites who performed priestly duties in the Jewish temple (Deut 18:3–4; Num 18:20). Gentiles were familiar with such practices from their religious ceremonies.

9:14 to live from the gospel A divine mandate for ministry as vocation.

9:15 of any of these rights Refers to the rights Paul mentioned in 1 Cor 9:4–5.

reason for boasting Refers to Paul’s refusal to accept any payment for his gospel ministry in Corinth. He can boast because he did not jeopardize the integrity of the gospel message (v. 12).

9:16 necessity is imposed on me God set apart Paul to proclaim the gospel message (Gal 1:15; Acts 9:15). Therefore, he is compelled to preach it even in the face of opposition (see 2 Cor 11:23–28).

woe is to me Implies that if Paul does not preach the gospel, he will face an undesirable consequence. Paul draws on language from the prophet Jeremiah to express the serious nature of his calling (Jer 10:19; 20:9; 45:3).

9:18 my right Refers to material and financial support from the church communities.

9:19 I have enslaved myself to all Paul put himself at the service of others in order that God may use him to bring people to Jesus (compare Phil 2:5–8; Gal 4:4–5). He does not regard himself as a “savior,” but as an instrument through which someone might hear the gospel and be saved (compare 1 Cor 7:16). He adapts to his audience (but not by compromising the gospel or his message) to remove any obstacles to their acceptance of the gospel message.

9:20 like a Jew to the Jews Paul lived according to Jewish customs not to be saved, but to appeal to those who also lived according to the law (Acts 16:3; 21:23–24; 1 Cor 8:8).

I may gain those under the law Paul was not obligated to live under the law; rather, he used his freedom in Christ to relate to those under the law (Jews).

9:21 subject to the law of Christ Paul did not think it necessary to observe the ceremonial commands of the law in relation to food (see his instructions in 10:27), but he did maintain the law of Christ (see Gal 6:2).

9:22 the weak Refers to Christians who felt tempted to regress to idolatrous practices. See 1 Cor 8:7 and note; Rom 14:1.

I may gain the weak Paul demonstrated sensitivity to such believers, but he also desired that they mature in their faith (see 1 Cor 8:7–13).

all things to all people Paul is not advocating syncretism or compromise of the gospel message. Rather, he is promoting a considerate evangelistic approach—one that accounts for different social circumstances, ethnicities, and religious convictions.

I may save some See note on 7:16.

9:24 the prize Refers to life in the age to come, especially the resurrection of the dead and the presence of Christ (compare 15:51–55; Phil 3:12–14).

9:25 exercises self-control This series of extended athletic metaphors is intended to communicate the discipline necessary for ministers of the gospel. This links back to 1 Cor 9:19, where Paul mentions his voluntary enslavement for the sake of his evangelistic efforts. He is willing to do whatever it takes to proclaim the good news of Christ’s salvation.

but we an imperishable one Contrasts the perishable crown of celery leaves that athletes won in the Isthmian games. Paul sought an imperishable crown, which here serves as a metaphor for the reward: eternal life and the glory of sharing in Christ’s work.

9:26 I box in this way Paul’s ministry efforts have a definite purpose.

9:27 I discipline my body Paul is not referring to asceticism or self-abuse. He exercised self-discipline to provide for himself and to endure the hardship associated with his ministry (4:11–13).

I myself should become disqualified This phrase continues Paul’s sports metaphor and refers to one whose athletic preparation does not allow him or her to finish the competition or withstand the test. For Paul, this manifested as ineffective proclamation, resulting in people not coming to faith in Christ because of his preaching. Given his rigorous self-discipline, Paul considered such results to be unacceptable (v. 26).