1 Corinthians 9:4

4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink?

1 Corinthians 9:4 in Other Translations

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?

4 Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?

4 We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations,

4 Have we no right to eat and to drink?

4 Don't we have the right to eat and drink?

4 Don't we have the right to eat and drink?

4 Don't we have the right to eat and drink?

1 Corinthians 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:4

Have we not power to eat and to drink?
] Having proved his apostleship, he proceeds to establish his right to a maintenance as a Gospel minister; which he expresses by various phrases, and confirms by divers arguments: by a "power to eat and drink", he does not mean the common power and right of mankind to perform such actions, which everyone has, provided he acts temperately, and to the glory of God; nor a liberty of eating and drinking things indifferent, or which were prohibited under the ceremonial law; but a comfortable livelihood at the public charge, or at the expense of the persons to whom he ministered; and he seems to have in view the words of Christ, ( Luke 10:7 Luke 10:8 ) .

1 Corinthians 9:4 In-Context

2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.

4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink?

5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas ?

6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

Cross References

• 1. ver 14; S Acts 18:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:6