Scofield Reference Bible Notes
1 Corinthians 9

1Co 9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

not power [See also 1Co 9:5.]

no right.

1Co 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

a sister, a wife

a wife who is a sister.

1Co 9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

have not we power

2Th 3:8-9.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox

Deu 25:4; 1Ti 5:18.

1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

For our sakes, no doubt, this is written

2Ti 3:16.

in hope should be partaker of his hope

Or, in hope of partaking of it.

1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

carnal things

i.e. things for the body.

1Co 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

we have not used this power; but suffer all things

2Co 11:7, 9, 12, 14.

1Co 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

holy

Sanctify, holy (things) (N.T.). 1Co 16:20. (Mat 4:5; Rev 22:11.)

live

Or, eat.

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

reward

Rewards. Phl 4:1. (Dan 12:3; 1Co 3:14.)

1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

not without law to God, but under the law to Christ

The expression is peculiar and might be literally rendered, "not lawless toward God, but inlawed to Christ." See "Law (of Christ)," Scofield Galatians 6:2; 2 John 1:5. It is another way of saying, "not under the law, but under [the rule of] grace" (Rom 6:14).

Law (of Christ). 1Co 13:1-13. (Gal 6:2; 2Jo 1:5).

1Co 9:22 To the weak 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 some.

save

Scofield Romans 1:16, note.

1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

gospel's sake

Gospel. 1Co 9:12, 14, 16-18, 23; 15:1-4. (Gen 12:1-3; Rev 14:6.)

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

race

race-course.

So run, that ye may obtain

Phl 3:14; 1Ti 6:12

1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

crown…an incorruptible

2Ti 4:8; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 2:10; 3:11.

1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

not as uncertainly

as not uncertainly.

not as one that beateth the air

as not beating the air.

1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

keep under my body, and bring it into subjection

buffet my body, and lead it captive.

a castaway

i.e. disapproved.

Greek adokimos, "disapproved." Dokimos, without the privative a, is translated "approved" in Rom 14:18; 16:10; 1Co 11:19; 2Co 10:18; 2Ti 2:15, and in Jas 1:12, by the word "tried." The prefix simply changes the word to a negative, i.e. not approved, or, disapproved. The apostle is writing of service, not of salvation. He is not expressing fear that he may fail of salvation but of his crown. See "Rewards" (Scofield Daniel 12:3; 1 Corinthians 3:14).