I Corinthians 9:6
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Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Barnabas--long the associate of Paul, and, like him, in the habit of self-denyingly forbearing to claim the maintenance which is a minister's right. So Paul supported himself by tent-making (Act 18:3; Act 20:34; Th1 2:9; Th2 3:8).
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against himself. I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his success among them as a testimony to it (Co1 9:1, Co1 9:2). II. He claims a right to subsist by his ministry, and defends it by several arguments from natural reason and the Mosaical law, and asserts it also to be a constitution of Christ (Co1 9:3-14). III. He shows that he had willingly waived this privilege and power for their benefit (Co1 9:15-18). IV. He specifies several other things, in which he had denied himself for the sake of other men's spiritual interest and salvation (Co1 9:19-23). And, V. Concludes his argument by showing what animated him to this course, even the prospect of an incorruptible crown (Co1 9:24 to the end.)
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.