1Cor 9:7-14, 1Ti 5:18 | PNT | STEP | Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges ? Soldiers were paid while on a campaign; but he and Barnabas were Christian soldiers. Who planeth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof ? The husbandman ate of the vineyard; but they worked in the vineyard of the Lord. Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock ? The feeder of the flock drank of its milk, but they were feeders of the flock of God.

‏ 1 Corinthians 9:7-14

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Soldiers were paid while on a campaign; but he and Barnabas were Christian soldiers.

Who planeth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? The husbandman ate of the vineyard; but they worked in the vineyard of the Lord.

Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? The feeder of the flock drank of its milk, but they were feeders of the flock of God. Say I these things as a man? Human affairs teach our right to be sustained.

Saith not the law the same also? But the law of Moses teaches the same lesson. For it is written in the law of Moses. See De 25:4.

Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. In the East still the grain is trodden out on the threshing floor by the cattle, nor do the people muzzle the cattle to this day. Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? Was this enactment made solely for the benefit of the oxen (1Co 9:9)? Or was it rather to teach those who did a work had a right to live off of that work? The latter, doubtless. If we have sown to you spiritual things. Preached the gospel, converted them, built them up in Christ. This conserved their eternal interests.

Carnal things. An earthly support. If others [be] partakers of [this] power. Enjoy this privilege of earthly support. But his right was greater than that of these.

Have not used this right. He had supported himself lest he should hinder the gospel. The heathen might say that he was influenced by mercenary motives. As to his course, see Ac 18:3. They which minister about holy things. He now shows that the temple teaches the same lesson. The priests and Levites are sustained by the temple offerings.

Partakers with the altar. A part of the sacrifice was consumed on the altar and a part was awarded to the priests. Even so hath the Lord ordained, etc. It was the Lord's ordinance, even if Paul did not exercise the power, that those who preach the gospel should be sustained by the church. See Mt 10:9,10.

‏ 1 Timothy 5:18

The Scripture saith. See De 25:4.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox.

See PNT 1Co 9:9.

The labourer [is] worthy of his reward. Quoted from Lu 10:7. Paul says it is Scripture. Therefore, Luke's Gospel was already written and in Paul's hands when this Epistle was written. He calls this Gospel "Scripture". Peter applies the same term to Paul's writings (2Pe 3:16).