Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 9:12
If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers regarding his apostolic right to financial support, immediately following his argument about spiritual sowing and material reaping (1 Corinthians 9:11) and temple service (1 Corinthians 9:13). He establishes his legitimate claim while documenting his active refusal to exercise it.
The words — The passage centers on ἐξουσίας (exousias), translated as "authority" or "right," and μᾶλλον (mallon), meaning "more" or "all the more." The text states that if others may claim support, Paul's claim is greater, yet he explicitly notes he did not exercise this right and endured hardship to avoid hindering the gospel.
The thread — The same refusal to claim financial rights appears in 1 Corinthians 9:15, 1 Corinthians 9:18, and 2 Corinthians 11:12. These passages consistently link Paul's voluntary poverty to offering the gospel free of charge and removing grounds for opponents to claim equal standing.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to identify any personal rights or legitimate claims that are being used to obstruct the gospel. It demands the concrete action of enduring material loss or inconvenience to keep the message of Christ unimpeded.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 9:15 But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
- 1 Corinthians 9:18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.
- 2 Corinthians 11:12 But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7 Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
- 1 Corinthians 9:2 Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
- Genesis 24:56 But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”
- Nehemiah 4:8 and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.
- Luke 11:52 Woe to you experts in the law! For you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”
- Acts 18:3 and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.