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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 9:6 Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/9-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/46_1Co_09_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 9:6 - The Rights of an Apostle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Or only I and Barnabas, have we no authority not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Or <i>is it</i> only Barnabas and I <i>who</i> have no right to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I not have authority to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to stop doing manual labor [in order to support our ministry]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or do Barnabas and I alone have no right to refrain from working? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Are we the only ones who have to support ourselves by working at another job? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who don't have any rights, except to find work to support ourselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to keep on working for a living? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Or again, is it only Barnabas and myself who are not at liberty to give up working with our hands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Or do only Barnabas and I have no authority not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Or only I and Barnabas, have we no authority not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority -- not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have we not power not to work?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Or is it only myself and Barnabas who do not have the authority to act in this way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Or is it only myself and Barnabas who do not have the right not to work?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Or only I and Barnabas, have not we the right to live without working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Or is it only BarNaba and I who have no authority not to labor?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Or, have I only, and Barnabas, no right to leave off working?<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Have I and Barnabas alone not the right to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />or I alone and Barnabas, have we not power to forbear labour?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />or I and Barnabas, are we only excluded the privilege of not working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Or again, is it only Barnabas and myself who are not at liberty to give up working with our hands?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Or have only I and Barnabas no right to give up working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Or <i>is it</i> I only and Barnabas, that have not power to forbear working?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1713" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">The Rights of an Apostle</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">5</span>Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? <span class="reftext">6</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">Or are</a> <a href="/greek/921.htm" title="921: Barnabas (N-NMS) -- Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite.">Barnabas</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3441.htm" title="3441: monos (Adj-NMS) -- Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.">the only apostles</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ouk (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">who must</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echomen (V-PIA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold."></a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousian (N-AFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence."></a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/2038.htm" title="2038: ergazesthai (V-PNM/P) -- To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. ">work for a living?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">7</span>Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8-9</a></span><br />nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. / Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a></span><br />and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a></span><br />Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-7.htm">2 Corinthians 11:7-9</a></span><br />Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? / I robbed other churches by accepting their support in order to serve you. / And when I was with you and in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my needs. I have refrained from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-15.htm">Philippians 4:15-16</a></span><br />And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. / For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-6.htm">Galatians 6:6</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17-18</a></span><br />Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. / For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Matthew 10:10</a></span><br />Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-7.htm">Luke 10:7</a></span><br />Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-34.htm">Acts 20:34-35</a></span><br />You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. / In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-13.htm">2 Corinthians 12:13-14</a></span><br />In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! / See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/15-27.htm">Romans 15:27</a></span><br />They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to minister to them with material blessings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/8-9.htm">2 Corinthians 8:9</a></span><br />For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-24.htm">Proverbs 11:24-25</a></span><br />One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. / A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm">Nehemiah 5:14-18</a></span><br />Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. / The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God. / Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?</p><p class="hdg">Barnabas.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/4-36.htm">Acts 4:36</a></b></br> And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, <i>and</i> of the country of Cyprus,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/11-22.htm">Acts 11:22</a></b></br> Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/13-1.htm">Acts 13:1,2,50</a></b></br> Now 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… </p><p class="hdg">have.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">1 Corinthians 4:11,12</a></b></br> Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a></b></br> And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/20-34.htm">Acts 20:34,35</a></b></br> Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/acts/15-39.htm">Barnabas</a> <a href="/matthew/27-49.htm">Forbear</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-4.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-9.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Power</a> <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Refrain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/14-36.htm">Alone</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-8.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Barnabas</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-6.htm">Forbear</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-24.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-29.htm">Liberty</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-12.htm">Power</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-9.htm">Refrain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-34.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-13.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">He shows his liberty;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-15.htm">yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">to be neither chargeable unto them,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Our life is like unto a race.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles</b><br>Paul mentions Barnabas, highlighting their shared experience and ministry. Barnabas, known as the "Son of Encouragement," was a key figure in the early church and a companion of Paul on his first missionary journey (<a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3</a>). This reference underscores the partnership and mutual support in their apostolic work. The mention of apostleship connects to the broader context of <a href="/1_corinthians/9.htm">1 Corinthians 9</a>, where Paul defends his rights as an apostle. Apostles were foundational leaders in the early church, tasked with spreading the gospel and establishing churches (<a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20</a>).<p><b>who must work for a living?</b><br>Paul and Barnabas are depicted as working to support themselves, which was not uncommon in the early church. Paul, a tentmaker by trade (<a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a>), often worked to avoid being a financial burden on the churches he served (<a href="/1_thessalonians/2-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:9</a>). This practice was in line with Jewish tradition, where rabbis often had a trade. The question implies that other apostles might have received financial support from the churches, a right Paul acknowledges but chooses not to exercise (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-12.htm">1 Corinthians 9:12</a>). This self-sufficiency highlights Paul's commitment to the gospel and his desire to remove any obstacles to its proclamation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle who wrote the letter to the Corinthians. He is addressing the issue of apostolic rights and responsibilities.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/barnabas.htm">Barnabas</a></b><br>A fellow apostle and missionary companion of Paul. Known for his role in the early church and his partnership with Paul in spreading the Gospel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece where the church to whom Paul is writing is located. Known for its diverse population and significant economic activity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/apostles.htm">Apostles</a></b><br>Early Christian leaders and messengers of the Gospel, specifically chosen by Jesus to spread His teachings.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/work_for_a_living.htm">Work for a Living</a></b><br>Refers to the necessity of Paul and Barnabas to engage in secular work to support themselves financially while ministering.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/apostolic_example_of_self-support.htm">Apostolic Example of Self-Support</a></b><br>Paul and Barnabas exemplify the principle of self-support in ministry, demonstrating humility and dedication to the Gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/balancing_ministry_and_work.htm">Balancing Ministry and Work</a></b><br>The necessity for Paul and Barnabas to work for a living underscores the balance between spiritual ministry and practical responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_right_to_receive_support.htm">The Right to Receive Support</a></b><br>While Paul and Barnabas chose to work, they also affirm the right of ministers to receive support from those they serve, as seen in the broader context of <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">1 Corinthians 9</a>.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_ministry.htm">Integrity in Ministry</a></b><br>By working for a living, Paul and Barnabas maintain integrity and avoid any accusations of exploiting their position for financial gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_for_bi-vocational_ministry.htm">Encouragement for Bi-Vocational Ministry</a></b><br>This passage encourages those in bi-vocational ministry, affirming that secular work can coexist with effective spiritual leadership.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_paul_a_false_prophet.htm">Is Paul a false prophet?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/mary,_did_you_know_your_sonand#8217;s_impact.htm">Why did Paul urge imitation of him and Christ?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_galatians_3_28_erase_distinctions.htm">How does Galatians 3:28's declaration of unity erase cultural, gender, and social distinctions that still seem to persist in both biblical and modern contexts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'plentiful_harvest'_mean.htm">What does 'Christ Lives in Me' signify?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) <span class= "bld">Or I</span> <span class= "bld">only and Barnabas.</span>--"Or" here does not introduce a question which implies a new right in addition to the rights already claimed, but it completes the argument. Granting the existence of the rights established by the previous questions, the Apostle now says--still preserving the interrogative form--"These things being so, the only way you can possibly do away with this right is by making exceptions of myself and Barnabas." The form in which the question is put shows the impossibility of any such arbitrary exception being made. They as well as the others <span class= "ital">had</span> the right to abstain from working for their living. Barnabas' early association with St. Paul (<a href="/acts/11-30.htm" title="Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.">Acts 11:30</a>; <a href="/acts/12-25.htm" title="And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.">Acts 12:25</a>; <a href="/acts/15-38.htm" title="But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.">Acts 15:38</a>) probably led him to adopt the Apostle's practice of supporting himself, and not being dependent on his fellow-Christians. The word "only" implies that all the other Apostles and brethren of the Lord exercised their right of maintenance by the Church.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Barnabas.</span> Like St. Paul, Barnabas was in every respect a genuine apostle, by the Divine call (<a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Galatians 2:9</a>), though not one of the twelve. He seems to have continued in his separate mission work the practice of independence which he had learnt from St. Paul. This allusion is interesting, because it is the last time that the name of Barnabas occurs, and it shows that, even after the quarrel and separation, Paul regarded him with love and esteem. <span class="cmt_word">To forbear working.</span> To give up the manual labour by which we maintain ourselves without any expense to the Churches (<a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a>; <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9</a>). If, then, St. Paul toiled at the dull, mechanical, despised, and ill paid work of tent making, he did so, not because it was, in the abstract, his duty to earn his own living, but because he chose to be nobly independent, that the absolute disinterestedness of his motives might be manifest to all the world. For this reason even when he was most in need he would never receive assistance from any Church except that of Philippi, where he had at least one wealthy convert, and where he was beloved with a peculiar warmth of affection. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Or {are}</span><br /><span class="grk">ἢ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Barnabas</span><br /><span class="grk">Βαρνάβας</span> <span class="translit">(Barnabas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_921.htm">Strong's 921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of Chaldee origin; son of Nabas; Barnabas, an Israelite.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγὼ</span> <span class="translit">(egō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the only [ apostles ]</span><br /><span class="grk">μόνος</span> <span class="translit">(monos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3441.htm">Strong's 3441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Only, solitary, desolate. Probably from meno; remaining, i.e. Sole or single; by implication, mere.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who must</span><br /><span class="grk">οὐκ</span> <span class="translit">(ouk)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> </span><span class="str2">No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">work for a living?</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐργάζεσθαι</span> <span class="translit">(ergazesthai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Middle or Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2038.htm">Strong's 2038: </a> </span><span class="str2">To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">1 Corinthians 9:6 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:6 Or have only Barnabas and I no (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 9:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 9:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 9:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 9:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>