1 Corinthians 9:3
This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:
BSB
ASV
My defence to them that examine me is this.
KJV
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
1 Corinthians 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
leads to
We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.
You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.
But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ
by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
Through
2 Corinthians 13:3since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
leads to
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Through
Philippians 1:17The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains.
leads to
to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 219 (458)
Paul says that if anyone wants to examine his works, let him look at the Corinthians, for they are a sufficient witness to his labors.
Mine answer - Greek Ἡ ἐμὴ ἀπολογία Hē emē apologia. My “apology;” my defense. The same word occurs in Act 22:1; Act 25:16; 2Co 7:11; Php 1:7, Php 1:17; 2Ti 4:16; 1Pe 3:15; see the note at Act 22:1. Here it means his answer, or defense against those who sat in judgment on his claims to be an apostle. To them that do examine me. - To those who “inquire” of me; or who “censure” and condemn me as not having any claims to the apostolic office.
