Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 9:13
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings?
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church, using a rhetorical question to ground his argument about apostolic rights in the immediate moment of explaining his voluntary refusal of financial support.
The words — The Greek οἴδατε (oidate) translates literally as "you know," while ἐργαζόμενοι (ergazomenoi) means "working" or "laboring." ἱερά (hierā) denotes the "sacred things" or temple provisions that sustain those who handle them.
The thread — This principle of temple workers receiving sustenance from sacred provisions appears in Leviticus 6:26, Numbers 5:9, and Numbers 18:8. The text establishes a direct link between priestly labor and the right to consume the offerings they process.
Why it lands — The passage demands that readers acknowledge a natural and divinely instituted pattern: those who labor in spiritual service deserve material support. It challenges the Corinthian church to recognize the validity of apostolic rights before Paul explains why he waived them.
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
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?
Cross-references
- Leviticus 6:26 The priest who offers it shall eat it; it must be eaten in a holy place, in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.
- Numbers 5:9 Every sacred contribution the Israelites bring to the priest shall belong to him.
- Numbers 18:8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute.
- Deuteronomy 18:1 The Levitical priests—indeed the whole tribe of Levi—shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They are to eat the food offerings to the LORD; that is their inheritance.
- 1 Samuel 2:28 And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?
- Leviticus 6:16 Aaron and his sons are to eat the remainder. It must be eaten without leaven in a holy place; they are to eat it in the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.
- Leviticus 7:6 Every male among the priests may eat of it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy.
- Deuteronomy 10:9 That is why Levi has no portion or inheritance among his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God promised him.