1 Corinthians 9:8
in 1 Corinthians 9Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?
KJV
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 9
Commentary
10 notes on this versePaul indicates here that his position corresponds to the teaching of Scripture and that his refusal to accept any payment from the Corinthians was with good reason.
This site's exposition
Do I say this from
on 1 Corinthians 9:8-10
Paul grounds the claim in the written Law, Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, from Deuteronomy 25:4. The argument runs from light to heavy, a common rabbinic pattern, reaching from the ox to the plowman and thresher.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
Having shewn, as you see, both from the Apostles, that it is not forbidden the teacher to receive, and from illustrations found in common life, he proceeds also to a third head, thus saying, "Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?" For since he had hitherto alleged nothing out of the Scriptures, but put forward the common custom; "think not," saith he, "that I am confident in these alone, nor that I go to the opinions of men for the ground of these enactments. For I can shew that these things are also well-pleasing to God, and I read an ancient law enjoining them." Wherefore also he carries on his discourse in the form of a question, which is apt to be done in things fully acknowledged; thus saying, "Say I these things after the manner of men?" i.e. "do I strengthen myself only by human examples?" "or saith not the law also the same?"
The Medieval Church1 voice
That is, do I confirm this only by human examples, and have no testimony from Scripture? I can prove that this is also pleasing to God; the Law commands the same thing, which is not from men, but from God.
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Does not God also say, in effect, the same thing? The ox that treadeth out the corn - This was the custom in Judea, and many eastern nations. In several of them it is retained still.
Say I these things as a man?.... After the manner of men, reasoning from things common among men, and obvious to everyone's observation: or saith not the law the same also? As the subject the apostle is upon was capable of being illustrated and confirmed by instances common unto, and easy of observation among men; so it might be supported by divine authority; it was not only a clear point from the reason of things, but was certain by the law of God.
Is this merely a dictate of common reason and according to common usage only? No, it is also consonant to the old law. God had therein ordered that the ox should not be muzzled while he was treading out the corn, nor hindered from eating while he was preparing the corn for man's use, and treading it out of the ear.
3 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Note, It is very natural, and very reasonable, for ministers to expect a livelihood out of their labours. He argues it out of the Jewish law: Say I these things as a man?
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Say I these things as a man? - Is this only human reasoning? or does not God say in effect the same things? See note on Rom 6:19.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Say I these things as a man? - Do I speak this on my own authority, or without the sanction of God? Is not this, which appears to be so reasonable and equitable, also supported by the authority of God? Or saith not the law the same also? - The Law of Moses, to which the “Jewish” part of the church at Corinth - which probably had mainly urged these objections - professed to bow with deference. Paul was accustomed, especially in arguing with the Jews, to derive his proofs from the Old Testament. In the previous verse he had shown that it was equitable that ministers of the gospel should be supported. In this and the following verses he shows that the same principle was recognized and acted on under the Jewish dispensation. He does not mean to say, by this example of the ox treading out the grain, that the law as given by Moses referred to the Christian ministry; but that the principle there was settled that the laborer should have a support, and that a suitable provision should not be withheld even from an ox; and if God so regarded the welfare of a brute when laboring, it was much more reasonable to suppose that he would require a suitable provision to be made for the ministers of religion.
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| μὴ | me | Not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| κατὰ | kata | according to | G2596 → | 468 times |
| ἄνθρωπον | anthropon | man | G444 → | 549 times |
| ταῦτα | tauta | these things | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| λαλῶ; | lalo | do I speak? | G2980 → | 294 times |
| ἢ | e | Or | G2228 → | 342 times |
| καὶ | kai | also | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| ὁ | ho | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| νόμος | nomos | law | G3551 → | 192 times |
| ταῦτα | tauta | these things | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| οὐ | ou | not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| λέγει; | legei | says? | G3004 → | 1325 times |
μὴNot
meG3361 →1066 times
κατὰaccording to
kataG2596 →468 times
ἄνθρωπονman
anthroponG444 →549 times
ταῦταthese things
tautaG3778 →1381 times
λαλῶ;do I speak?
laloG2980 →294 times
ἢOr
eG2228 →342 times
καὶalso
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ὁthe
hoG3588 →19766 times
νόμοςlaw
nomosG3551 →192 times
ταῦταthese things
tautaG3778 →1381 times
οὐnot
ouG3756 →1664 times
λέγει;says?
legeiG3004 →1325 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Thessalonians 2:13And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the…
it leads to
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
- 1 Peter 1:25
but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was proclaimed to you.
- 1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
- Hebrews 4:12
Through
Romans 3:31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.
it leads to
- Galatians 2:21
I do not set aside the grace of God. For if righteousness comes through the law, Christ died for nothing.
- Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
- Galatians 2:21
Through
Romans 6:19I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now…
it leads to
- 1 Peter 4:2–4
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- 1 Peter 4:2–4
Where this verse is studied
On this page
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; John Calvin, Commentary on the Epistles of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 21; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.