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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 9:5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/9-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/46_1Co_09_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 9:5 - The Rights of an Apostle" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/9-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/9-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-4.htm" title="1 Corinthians 9:4">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 9:5 <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm" title="1 Corinthians 9:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/9.htm">New International Version</a> Don&#8217t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord&#8217s brothers and Cephas? <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Have we no authority to take about a believer as a wife, as also the other apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/9.htm">New King James Version</a> Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Do we not have authority to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Have we not the right to take along with us a believing wife, as do the rest of the apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas (Peter)? <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Don&#8217t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife like the other apostles, the Lord&#8217s brothers, and Cephas? <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> We each have the right to marry one of the Lord's followers and to take her along with us, just as the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter do. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Don't we have the right to take our wives along with us like the other apostles, the Lord's brothers, and Cephas do? <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips? <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> We have the right to take a believing wife with us like the other apostles, the Lord's brothers, and Cephas, don't we? <a href="/net/1_corinthians/9.htm">NET Bible</a> Do we not have the right to the company of a believing wife, like the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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? <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Have we not a right to take with us on our journeys a Christian sister as our wife, as the rest of the Apostles do--and the Lord's brothers and Peter?<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? <a href="/web/1_corinthians/9.htm">World English Bible</a> Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do we not have authority to lead about a sister—a wife—as also the other apostles, and the brothers of the LORD, and Cephas? <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Have we no authority to take about a believer as a wife, as also the other apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> have we not authority a sister -- a wife -- to lead about, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife; as also the rest of the sent, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister, as well as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Do we not have the authority to travel around with a woman who is a sister, just as do the other Apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/9.htm">New American Bible</a> Do we not have the right to take along a Christian wife, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And have we not the right to travel with a Christian wife, just as the rest of the apostles, and as the brothers of our LORD, and as Cephas? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And why is it illegal for us to travel with a sister-wife as other Apostles and as the brothers of our Lord and as Kaypha?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Have we not the right to lead about a sister wife, as the other apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Have we not a right to lead about a sister as a wife, as the other apostles also, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Have we not power to carry about with us a sister wife, as do also the other apostles, even the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> have not we the liberty to take a christian woman with us in our travels, as well as the rest of the apostles, as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas did? <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Have we not a right to take with us on our journeys a Christian sister as our wife, as the rest of the Apostles do--and the Lord's brothers and Peter? <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Have we no right to lead about a sister as our wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> we not power to lead about with us a sister a wife as well as other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1705" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/9.htm">The Rights of an Apostle</a> …4Have we no right to food and to drink? 5<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.">Have we</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.">no</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."></a> <a href="/greek/1849.htm" title="1849: exousian (N-AFS) -- From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.">right</a> <a href="/greek/4013.htm" title="4013: periagein (V-PNA) -- To lead or carry about (or around), go about, traverse. From peri and ago; to take around; reflexively, to walk around.">to take along</a> <a href="/greek/79.htm" title="79: adelphēn (N-AFS) -- A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister.">a believing</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">wife,</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">do</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3062.htm" title="3062: loipoi (Adj-NMP) -- Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones.">other</a> <a href="/greek/652.htm" title="652: apostoloi (N-NMP) -- From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.">apostles</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyriou (N-GMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord’s</a> <a href="/greek/80.htm" title="80: adelphoi (N-NMP) -- A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.">brothers</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2786.htm" title="2786: Kēphas (N-NMS) -- Of Chaldee origin; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter.">Cephas?</a> 6Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Matthew 8:14</a> When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. <a href="/mark/1-30.htm">Mark 1:30</a> Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever, and they promptly told Jesus about her. <a href="/luke/4-38.htm">Luke 4:38</a> After Jesus had left the synagogue, He went to the home of Simon, whose mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever. So they appealed to Jesus on her behalf, <a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a> And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. <a href="/mark/10-29.htm">Mark 10:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel / will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. <a href="/luke/18-29.htm">Luke 18:29-30</a> “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God / will fail to receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.” <a href="/acts/1-14.htm">Acts 1:14</a> With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. <a href="/acts/18-3.htm">Acts 18:3</a> and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-7.htm">1 Corinthians 7:7-9</a> I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. / Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am. / But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-32.htm">1 Corinthians 7:32-35</a> I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. / But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, / and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. ... <a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2</a> An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, <a href="/1_timothy/3-12.htm">1 Timothy 3:12</a> A deacon must be the husband of but one wife, a good manager of his children and of his own household. <a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Titus 1:6</a> An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. <a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a> Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a> The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?to lead.<a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2</a> A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;<a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3</a> Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.<a href="/titus/1-6.htm">Titus 1:6</a> If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.a sister.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">1 Corinthians 7:15,39</a> But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace… <a href="/songs/4-9.htm">Song of Solomon 4:9,10,12</a> Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck… <a href="/songs/5-1.htm">Song of Solomon 5:1,2</a> I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved… wife.<a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">Matthew 12:46-50</a> While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him… <a href="/matthew/13-55.htm">Matthew 13:55</a> Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?<a href="/mark/6-3.htm">Mark 6:3</a> Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.Cephas.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-12.htm">1 Corinthians 1:12</a> Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.<a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Matthew 8:14</a> And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.<a href="/mark/1-30.htm">Mark 1:30</a> But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/27-2.htm">Accompanied</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-9.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-4.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-11.htm">Believer</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">Cephas</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-2.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/acts/26-12.htm">Journeys</a> <a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-4.htm">Power</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-29.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-4.htm">Right</a> <a href="/romans/15-19.htm">Round</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/10-4.htm">Accompanied</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-28.htm">Apostles</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-15.htm">Believer</a> <a href="/galatians/3-2.htm">Believing</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-5.htm">Cephas</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">Christian</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-26.htm">Journeys</a> <a href="/colossians/1-10.htm">Lead</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-5.htm">Peter</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Power</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm">Right</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-8.htm">Round</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-23.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 9</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">He shows his liberty;</a> 7. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;</a> 15. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-15.htm">yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,</a> 18. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">to be neither chargeable unto them,</a> 22. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-22.htm">nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.</a> 24. <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Our life is like unto a race.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Have we no right to take along a believing wife This phrase addresses the rights of apostles and church leaders to marry and have their wives accompany them in ministry. The concept of a "believing wife" emphasizes the importance of shared faith in marriage, aligning with teachings in <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a> about being equally yoked. The early church valued the support and partnership of a spouse in ministry, reflecting the creation narrative in <a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a> where God provides a helper suitable for Adam. This also counters any ascetic views that might suggest celibacy as a superior spiritual state, affirming the sanctity and purpose of marriage.as do the other apostles Paul references the practices of other apostles to establish a precedent for his argument. This implies that it was common for apostles to be married and for their wives to accompany them, suggesting a model of family involvement in ministry. The apostles, as foundational leaders of the church, set examples for Christian living, including the integration of family life and ministry. This practice is consistent with Jewish customs of the time, where rabbis and religious leaders often had families.and the Lord’s brothers The mention of the Lord’s brothers, likely referring to James, Jude, and others, indicates that Jesus' own family members were involved in early church leadership and were married. This highlights the normalcy of marriage among early Christian leaders and counters any claims that celibacy was a requirement for spiritual leadership. It also underscores the transformation of Jesus' brothers from skeptics (<a href="/john/7-5.htm">John 7:5</a>) to leaders in the church (<a href="/acts/1-14.htm">Acts 1:14</a>), demonstrating the power of the resurrection and the Holy Spirit in changing lives.and Cephas? Cephas, also known as Peter, is specifically mentioned, emphasizing his prominent role among the apostles. Peter's marriage is noted in the Gospels, as Jesus healed his mother-in-law (<a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Matthew 8:14-15</a>). This reference to Peter reinforces the argument that marriage and ministry are compatible and that key leaders in the early church, including those closest to Jesus, were married. Peter's leadership and his marital status serve as a model for balancing family responsibilities with spiritual duties, reflecting the holistic approach to life and ministry in the early church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> The apostle writing this letter to the Corinthians, defending his rights as an apostle. 2. <a href="/topical/o/other_apostles.htm">Other Apostles</a> Refers to the other leaders in the early Christian church who were recognized as apostles. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord's_brothers.htm">The Lord’s Brothers</a> Likely refers to James, Jude, and possibly other siblings of Jesus who were involved in the early church. 4. <a href="/topical/c/cephas.htm">Cephas</a> Another name for Peter, one of the leading apostles and a key figure in the early church. 5. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> The city where the church Paul is addressing is located, known for its diverse and often morally lax culture.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/apostolic_rights_and_responsibilities.htm">Apostolic Rights and Responsibilities</a> Paul asserts his rights as an apostle, including the right to marry and have a family. This highlights the balance between personal rights and ministry responsibilities. <a href="/topical/m/marriage_in_ministry.htm">Marriage in Ministry</a> The mention of a "believing wife" underscores the importance of shared faith in marriage, especially for those in ministry. It serves as a model for Christian marriages today. <a href="/topical/r/role_models_in_leadership.htm">Role Models in Leadership</a> The reference to other apostles and leaders like Cephas and the Lord’s brothers emphasizes the importance of looking to established leaders as role models in faith and practice. <a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_christian_liberty.htm">Cultural Context and Christian Liberty</a> Understanding the cultural context of Corinth helps us appreciate the challenges faced by early Christians and the application of Christian liberty in diverse settings. <a href="/topical/u/unity_and_diversity_in_the_church.htm">Unity and Diversity in the Church</a> The diverse backgrounds of the apostles and leaders mentioned reflect the unity and diversity within the body of Christ, encouraging inclusivity and cooperation in the church today.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 9</a> <a href="/q/were_any_disciples_of_jesus_married.htm">Were any disciples of Jesus married?</a> <a href="/q/was_apostle_paul_ever_married.htm">Was apostle Paul ever married?</a> <a href="/q/did_jesus_father_any_children.htm">Did Jesus father any children?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_9_4-14_align_with_matt_10_8-10.htm">In 1 Corinthians 9:4-14, Paul argues for financial support for apostles; how does that align with Jesus's command in Matthew 10:8-10 to preach without seeking material gain?</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>(5) To lead about a sister, a wife--i.e., to take with us on our journeys a Christian woman as a wife. Roman divines have interpreted this as referring to "the custom of Christian matrons attending as sisters upon the Apostles." But as the Apostle illustrates his meaning by a reference to Peter, who we know had a wife, such an interpretation is inadmissible. St. Paul, in this verse, carries his statement of apostolic right to support one step further. Not only had he a right to be supported himself, but the support of the married Apostles and their wives by the Church implied the same right on the part of all. A practice which grew out of a misapprehension of the real meaning of this passage, led to grave scandal, and was finally condemned by the first Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325).The brethren of the Lord, and Cephas.--These are mentioned specially, not as distinct from the Apostles (for Cephas, of course, was one), but as examples which would have great weight with the particular Jewish faction to whom this argument was adduced. James was Bishop of Jerusalem (<a href="/acts/15-13.htm" title="And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, listen to me:">Acts 15:13</a>; <a href="/acts/21-18.htm" title="And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.">Acts 21:18</a>). The other brethren of our Lord were Joses, Simon, and Judas (<a href="/matthew/13-55.htm" title="Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?">Matthew 13:55</a>). They were not of the twelve Apostles, even after their conversion being mentioned as distinct from the Twelve (<a href="/acts/1-14.htm" title="These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.">Acts 1:14</a>), although James subsequently occupied an apostolic position (<a href="/galatians/2-9.htm" title="And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision.">Galatians 2:9</a>). Various and ingenious suggestions have been made as to who these "brethren of the Lord" were; amongst others, that they were cousins, or that they were children of Joseph by a former marriage. These views grew out of a desire to establish the perpetual virginity of Mary. The natural conclusion from a study of the mention of their names in the Gospels, without preconceived prejudice, would be that Joseph and Mary lived together after the miraculous birth of Christ, and that these were their children. This, too, is supported by the use of the word "first-born" in reference to our Lord (<a href="/matthew/1-25.htm" title="And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.">Matthew 1:25</a>; <a href="/luke/2-7.htm" title="And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.">Luke 2:7</a>), and the word "till" (<a href="/matthew/1-25.htm" title="And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.">Matthew 1:25</a>), and "before they came together" (<a href="/matthew/1-18.htm" title="Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.">Matthew 1:18</a>), and the repeated mention of them as brethren in connection with His mother Mary. (See Note on <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm" title="While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood without, desiring to speak with him.">Matthew 12:46</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - To lead about a sister, a wife. There can be no doubt that this represents the true reading, and that the meaning is, "We have power to lead about, that is, to travel in company with, some Christian sister to whom we are married, and who is supported at the expense of the Church." This plain meaning, however, involving the assertion that the apostles and desposyni ("the Lord's brethren") were married men, was so distasteful to the morbid asceticism which held celibacy in a sort of Manichaean reverence, that the scribes of the fourth, fifth, and later centuries freely tampered with the text, in the happily fruitless attempt to get rid of this meaning. They endeavoured, by putting the word in the plural or by omitting "wife," to suggest that the women whom the apostles travelled with were "deaconesses." Augustine, Tertullian, Ambrose, and others explain the verse of "ministering women" (<a href="/luke/8-2.htm">Luke 8:2, 3</a>). The false interpretation avenged itself on the bias which led to it. Valla adopts the wilful invention that the apostles, though married, travelled with their wives only as sisters. Such subterfuges have eaten away the heart of honest exegesis from many passages of Scripture, and originated the taunt that it is a "nose of wax," which readers can twist as they like. It was the cause of such shameful abuses and misrepresentations that at last the practice of travelling about with unmarried women, who went under the name of "sisters," "beloved," "companions," was distinctly forbidden by the third canon of the first Council of Nice. Simon Magus might unblushingly carry about with him a Tyrian woman named Helena; but apostles and true Christians would never have been guilty of any conduct which could give a handle to base suspicions. They travelled only with their wives. A sister. A Christian woman (<a href="/1_corinthians/7-15.htm">1 Corinthians 7:15</a>; <a href="/romans/16-1.htm">Romans 16:1</a>; <a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15</a>, etc.). A wife; i.e. as a wife. Other apostles. This is a positive mistranslation for "the rest of the apostles." It might be too much to infer positively from this that every one of the apostles and desposyni were married; but there is independent evidence and tradition to show that at any rate most of them were. The brethren of the Lord. They are clearly and undeniably distinguished from the apostles. According to the Helvidian theory (to which the plain language of the Gospels seems to point), they were sons of Joseph and Mary. This is the view of St. Clement of Alexandria in ancient times, and writers so different from each other as De Wette, Neander, Osiander, Meyer, Ewald, and Alford, in modern. The theory of Jerome, that they were cousins of Jesus, being sons of Alphseus and Mary, a sister of the Virgin, is on every ground absolutely untenable, and it was half dropped even by St. Jerome himself, when it had served his controversial purpose. The theory of Epiphanius, that they were sons of Joseph by a previous marriage, is possible, but incapable of proof. It comes from a tainted source - the apocryphal Gospels (see my 'Early Days of Christianity,' 2). Cephas. St. Paul also uses the Aramaic name in <a href="/galatians/2-9.htm">Galatians 2:9</a>. Peter's wife is mentioned in <a href="/matthew/8-14.htm">Matthew 8:14</a> and in the tradition of her martyrdom (Clem. Alex., 'Strom.,' 7. § 63). <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Have we ἔχομεν (echomen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. no μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. right ἐξουσίαν (exousian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1849.htm">Strong's 1849: </a> From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence. to take along περιάγειν (periagein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4013.htm">Strong's 4013: </a> To lead or carry about (or around), go about, traverse. From peri and ago; to take around; reflexively, to walk around. a believing ἀδελφὴν (adelphēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_79.htm">Strong's 79: </a> A sister, a woman (fellow-)member of a church, a Christian woman. Fem of adephos; a sister. wife, γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. as ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. [do] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. other λοιποὶ (loipoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3062.htm">Strong's 3062: </a> Left, left behind, the remainder, the rest, the others. Masculine plural of a derivative of leipo; remaining ones. apostles ἀπόστολοι (apostoloi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_652.htm">Strong's 652: </a> From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord’s Κυρίου (Kyriou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. brothers ἀδελφοὶ (adelphoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_80.htm">Strong's 80: </a> A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Cephas? Κηφᾶς (Kēphas) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2786.htm">Strong's 2786: </a> Of Chaldee origin; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we no right to take along (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 9:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 9:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 9:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 9:6" /></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>