Or are Barnabas and I the only apostlesPaul mentions Barnabas, highlighting their shared experience and ministry. Barnabas, known as the "Son of Encouragement," was a key figure in the early church and a companion of Paul on his first missionary journey (
Acts 13:2-3). This reference underscores the partnership and mutual support in their apostolic work. The mention of apostleship connects to the broader context of
1 Corinthians 9, where Paul defends his rights as an apostle. Apostles were foundational leaders in the early church, tasked with spreading the gospel and establishing churches (
Ephesians 2:20).
who must work for a living?
Paul and Barnabas are depicted as working to support themselves, which was not uncommon in the early church. Paul, a tentmaker by trade (Acts 18:3), often worked to avoid being a financial burden on the churches he served (1 Thessalonians 2:9). This practice was in line with Jewish tradition, where rabbis often had a trade. The question implies that other apostles might have received financial support from the churches, a right Paul acknowledges but chooses not to exercise (1 Corinthians 9:12). This self-sufficiency highlights Paul's commitment to the gospel and his desire to remove any obstacles to its proclamation.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who wrote the letter to the Corinthians. He is addressing the issue of apostolic rights and responsibilities.
2.
BarnabasA fellow apostle and missionary companion of Paul. Known for his role in the early church and his partnership with Paul in spreading the Gospel.
3.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. Known for its diverse population and significant economic activity.
4.
ApostlesEarly Christian leaders and messengers of the Gospel, specifically chosen by Jesus to spread His teachings.
5.
Work for a LivingRefers to the necessity of Paul and Barnabas to engage in secular work to support themselves financially while ministering.
Teaching Points
Apostolic Example of Self-SupportPaul and Barnabas exemplify the principle of self-support in ministry, demonstrating humility and dedication to the Gospel.
Balancing Ministry and WorkThe necessity for Paul and Barnabas to work for a living underscores the balance between spiritual ministry and practical responsibilities.
The Right to Receive SupportWhile Paul and Barnabas chose to work, they also affirm the right of ministers to receive support from those they serve, as seen in the broader context of
1 Corinthians 9.
Integrity in MinistryBy working for a living, Paul and Barnabas maintain integrity and avoid any accusations of exploiting their position for financial gain.
Encouragement for Bi-Vocational MinistryThis passage encourages those in bi-vocational ministry, affirming that secular work can coexist with effective spiritual leadership.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:6?
2.How does 1 Corinthians 9:6 relate to the principle of Christian stewardship?
3.What does 1 Corinthians 9:6 teach about the rights of Christian workers?
4.How can we apply the message of 1 Corinthians 9:6 in our lives?
5.Compare 1 Corinthians 9:6 with Galatians 6:6 on supporting spiritual leaders.
6.Why is self-sufficiency important for Christian leaders according to 1 Corinthians 9:6?
7.What does 1 Corinthians 9:6 imply about the right to receive support for ministry work?
8.How does 1 Corinthians 9:6 relate to the concept of self-sufficiency in ministry?
9.Why does Paul mention Barnabas in 1 Corinthians 9:6, and what is their historical relationship?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 9?
11.Is Paul a false prophet?
12.Why did Paul urge imitation of him and Christ?
13.How does Galatians 3:28's declaration of unity erase cultural, gender, and social distinctions that still seem to persist in both biblical and modern contexts?
14.What does 'Christ Lives in Me' signify?What Does 1 Corinthians 9:6 Mean
Or“Or” links this verse to Paul’s ongoing defense of his apostolic rights (1 Corinthians 9:1-5). He turns from statements of fact to a probing question, nudging the Corinthians to reassess their assumptions. By beginning with “Or,” Paul contrasts their implied judgment with the scriptural principle he has been laying out (cf.1 Corinthians 9:3-4;Galatians 1:10).
Barnabas and IPaul pairs himself with Barnabas, a respected coworker (Acts 4:36-37; 11:22-26). Mentioning Barnabas:
• Reminds the readers that more than one credible apostle chose self-support.
• Echoes their joint missionary endeavors (Acts 13:2-3; 14:14).
• Underscores unity in purpose, silencing any notion that Paul’s practice was merely personal preference.
The only apostlesThe phrase highlights the inconsistency of expecting two apostles to labor for wages while others receive material support. Elsewhere Paul affirms that apostles, like shepherds, deserve provision (1 Corinthians 9:5;Luke 10:7;1 Timothy 5:17-18). By asking if they alone must forgo this right, Paul exposes the Corinthians’ partiality and corrects it by appealing to the broader apostolic pattern (Philippians 4:15-16).
Who must work for a living?Paul made tents (Acts 18:3) to avoid burdening new believers (1 Thessalonians 2:9;2 Corinthians 11:7-9). His question does not deny the legitimacy of receiving support; it underlines that he voluntarily surrendered that right for the gospel’s advance. Key takeaways:
• Gospel workers possess a God-given right to material support (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
• Voluntary self-support can enhance witness where financial motives might be questioned (2 Corinthians 6:3).
• The church is called to honor both those who receive support and those who waive it (Romans 12:10).
summary1 Corinthians 9:6 confronts a double standard in Corinth. Paul and Barnabas, though fully entitled to live from the gospel, chose manual labor so no obstacle would hinder their message. The verse reaffirms two complementary truths: God authorizes material support for His servants, and those servants may lay that right aside to serve more effectively.
(6)
Or Ionly and Barnabas.--"Or" here does not introduce a question which implies a new right in addition to the rights already claimed, but it completes the argument. Granting the existence of the rights established by the previous questions, the Apostle now says--still preserving the interrogative form--"These things being so, the only way you can possibly do away with this right is by making exceptions of myself and Barnabas." The form in which the question is put shows the impossibility of any such arbitrary exception being made. They as well as the others
had the right to abstain from working for their living. Barnabas' early association with St. Paul (
Acts 11:30;
Acts 12:25;
Acts 15:38) probably led him to adopt the Apostle's practice of supporting himself, and not being dependent on his fellow-Christians. The word "only" implies that all the other Apostles and brethren of the Lord exercised their right of maintenance by the Church.
Verse 6. -
And Barnabas. Like St. Paul, Barnabas was in every respect a genuine apostle, by the Divine call (
Acts 13:2;
Galatians 2:9), though not one of the twelve. He seems to have continued in his separate mission work the practice of independence which he had learnt from St. Paul. This allusion is interesting, because it is the last time that the name of Barnabas occurs, and it shows that, even after the quarrel and separation, Paul regarded him with love and esteem.
To forbear working. To give up the manual labour by which we maintain ourselves without any expense to the Churches (
Acts 18:3;
2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9). If, then, St. Paul toiled at the dull, mechanical, despised, and ill paid work of tent making, he did so, not because it was, in the abstract, his duty to earn his own living, but because he chose to be nobly independent, that the absolute disinterestedness of his motives might be manifest to all the world. For this reason even when he was most in need he would never receive assistance from any Church except that of Philippi, where he had at least one wealthy convert, and where he was beloved with a peculiar warmth of affection.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Or {are}ἢ(ē)Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.BarnabasΒαρνάβας(Barnabas)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 921:Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.Iἐγὼ(egō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.the only [ apostles ]μόνος(monos)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3441:Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.who mustοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.work for a living?ἐργάζεσθαι(ergazesthai)Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Strong's 2038:To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor.
Links
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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or have only Barnabas and I no (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
