1Cor 9:3-14 | TNotes | STEP | 9:3 my answer (literally my defense ): This is a legal term for the argument made in response to accusations. • those who question my authority: See 2 Cor 11–12 for another response to their challenge.

9:3 ^a my answer (literally my defense): This is a legal term for the argument made in response to accusations.

• those who question my authority: See 2 Cor 11–12 ^b for another response to their challenge.
9:4 ^c As an apostle, Paul had the right to expect food and housing from those to whom he ministered (cp. 9:14 ^d; Luke 10:7-8 ^e). Nevertheless, to avoid any possible criticism, he did not take advantage of this privilege (see 9:6 ^f, 12 ^g, 14-15 ^h, 18 ⁱ; 2 Cor 11:7-9 ^j; 12:13-14 ^k).
9:5 ^l the Lord’s brothers: See Mark 6:3 ^m for their names.

• Peter: Mark 1:30 ⁿ also speaks of Peter as married.
Summary for 1Cor 9:7-10: 9:7-10 ^o These examples support Paul’s point that he and other Christian workers had a right to be supported by those they served.
9:12 ^p Compared with other Christian workers supported by the Corinthians, Paul claimed an even greater right to be supported by them, because he was the one who first brought the Good News to them. But to avoid criticism, he had never used this right (see 9:6 ^q, 14-15 ^r, 18 ^s; cp. Acts 18:3 ^t; 2 Cor 11:7-9 ^u; 12:13-14 ^v).
9:13 ^w Paul might be referring to Levites and priests at God’s temple in Jerusalem (see Deut 18:1-4 ^x; cp. Lev 6:16-17 ^y, 26 ^z; Num 18:8-32 ^aa), but the pagan priests in temples around Corinth would have done similarly.
9:14 ^ab the Lord ordered: See Matt 10:10 ^ac; Luke 10:7 ^ad; see also Gal 6:6 ^ae; 1 Tim 5:17-18 ^af.