📖 1 Corinthians — Chapter 9 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am RI not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
1 Corinthians 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: Rfor the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:3 Mine Ranswer to them that do examine me is this,
1 Corinthians 9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power Rto lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 9:6 Or I only and RBarnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who Rgoeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
1 Corinthians 9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, RThou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1 Corinthians 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he Rthat ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have Rsown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
1 Corinthians 9:12 If Rothers 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.
1 Corinthians 9:13 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?
1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord Rordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:15 But RI have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, RI have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Corinthians 9:17 For Rif I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, Rwhen I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though RI be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1 Corinthians 9:20 And Runto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being Rnot without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Corinthians 9:22 RTo the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Corinthians 9:23 And this I do Rfor the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that Rthey which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that Rstriveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1 Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Corinthians 9:27 But RI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 9:1–12 — Rights and their restraint
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul explains his apostolic rights, including material support, yet accepts hardship rather than hinder the gospel.
Key Truth: Use rights with regard for the gospel.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Am I not an ____ ? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus …” (1 Corinthians 9:1)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Who ____ a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth …” (1 Corinthians 9:7)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “If I be not an apostle unto ____ , yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal …” (1 Corinthians 9:2)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:2 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 9:13–18 — Preaching without charge
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Lord's provision for gospel workers is affirmed. Paul describes the necessity of his calling and his choice to preach without charge.
Key Truth: Treat an entrusted calling as service.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Do ye not ____ that they which minister about holy things live of the …” (1 Corinthians 9:13)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “For ____ I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: …” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the …” (1 Corinthians 9:18)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:18 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Corinthians 9:19–27 — Adaptation and discipline
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul becomes a servant to others without abandoning Christ's law, then compares faithful effort with an athlete's disciplined race.
Key Truth: Join concern for others with personal discipline.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… be free from all men, yet have I made myself ____ unto all, that I might gain the more.” (1 Corinthians 9:19)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:19 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And this I do for the ____ sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (1 Corinthians 9:23)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:23 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “But I ____ under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that …” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Find it in 1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Deuteronomy 25:4 — Paul recalls the command concerning the working ox.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where can discipline help you serve others more faithfully?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 9:1–12 (Rights and their restraint) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 9:13–18 (Preaching without charge) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes 1 Corinthians 9:19–27 (Adaptation and discipline) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What purpose governs Paul's accommodation to different hearers?
5. Why does Paul describe disciplining his own body?
Notes
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