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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Corinthians 9:4–6

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 4

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:6Rank 1 from verse 4
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    6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

  2. 2 Thessalonians 3:8–9Rank 2 from verse 4
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    8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

    9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

  3. Luke 10:7Rank 3 from verse 4
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    7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

  4. 1 Corinthians 9:7–14Rank 4 from verse 4
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    7Who goeth 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?

    8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

    9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

    10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

    11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

    12If 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.

    13Do 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?

    14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:9Rank 5 from verse 4
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    9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

From verse 5

  1. John 1:42Rank 1 from verse 5
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    42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

  2. 1 Corinthians 7:39Rank 2 from verse 5
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    39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

  3. 1 Corinthians 7:7Rank 3 from verse 5
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    7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

  4. Acts 1:14Rank 4 from verse 5
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    14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

  5. Galatians 1:19Rank 5 from verse 5
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    19But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

From verse 6

  1. 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9Rank 1 from verse 6
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    7For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

    8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

    9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

  2. Acts 13:1–2Rank 2 from verse 6
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    1NOW there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

    2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:9Rank 3 from verse 6
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    9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

  4. Acts 18:3Rank 4 from verse 6
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    3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

  5. Acts 4:36Rank 5 from verse 6
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    36And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:4

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

eat

↗

To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:5

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

lead

↗

Sense 1: A soft, heavy metal. Sense 2: As a verb, to guide, conduct, or go before.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

about

↗

1. Around or near in place, position, or movement; on every side, in a circuit, from place to place, or turned from one direction or state toward another. 2. Approximately in number, measure, distance, or time. 3. Concerning, occupied with, or engaged in a matter. 4. On the point of, intending, or attempting an action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

apostles

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1. Persons sent or commissioned as messengers, including apostles of Christ or of the Lamb. 2. Persons who claim or present themselves as apostles without being true apostles.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Lord

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1. A title of God or Jesus Christ acknowledging authority and rule. 2. A respectful title or address for one in authority.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:6

COMBINED MEANING

power

↗

Sense 1: Ability, strength, force, or effective capacity to act, prevail, or produce an effect. Sense 2: Authority, right, permission, rule, dominion, or control. Sense 3: A person, authority, host, spiritual being, or other agent possessing or manifesting power.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

forbear

↗

1. To refrain, cease, or leave something undone. 2. To restrain oneself, endure, or wait without acting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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Related Concepts

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · 1 Corinthians 9:1–23

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Read all 23 verses in 1 Corinthians 9:1–23

9:1AM I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

9:2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

9:3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

9:4Have we not power to eat and to drink?

Selected passage

9:5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

Selected passage

9:6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

Selected passage

9:7Who goeth 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?

9:8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9:9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

9:10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

9:11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

9:12If 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.

9:13Do 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?

9:14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

9:15But I 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.

9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

9:18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

9:19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

9:20And unto 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;

9:21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

9:22To 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.

9:23And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

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