King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
Complete Jewish Bible:
all the more does he say this for our sakes. Yes, it was written for us, meaning that he who plows and he who threshes should work expecting to get a share of the crop.
Berean Standard Bible:
Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.
American Standard Version:
or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Or{G2228} saith he{G3004} it altogether{G3843} for{G1223} our{G2248} sakes{G1223}? For{G1223} our{G2248} sakes{G1223}, no doubt{G1063}, this is written{G1125}: that{G3754} he that ploweth{G722} should{G3784} plow{G722} in{G1909} hope{G1680}; and{G2532} that he that thresheth{G248} in hope{G1680} should be partaker{G3348} of{G1909} his{G846} hope{G1680}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Romans 15:4
- For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2 Timothy 2:6
- The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
Romans 4:23
- ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Romans 4:24
- But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
John 4:35
- Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
John 4:38
- I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
2 Corinthians 4:15
- For all things [are] for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Corinthians 9:10
1 Corinthians 9:10 is a verse from the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth around AD 53-54. In this letter, Paul addresses various issues and concerns within the Corinthian church, including the rights and obligations of apostleship and ministry.
In the broader context of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul is defending his apostolic authority and explaining why he has the right to material support from the Corinthian believers, even though he has not chosen to exercise that right. He uses analogies from everyday life to illustrate his points, drawing upon the principle that those who work deserve to be compensated for their labor.
The specific verse, 1 Corinthians 9:10, continues this line of reasoning by referring to the agricultural practices of plowing and threshing. Paul is likely alluding to Deuteronomy 25:4 or similar Old Testament passages that prohibit muzzling an ox while it treads out the grain, ensuring that the animal gets to eat some of the grain it is working to thresh. This Old Testament law serves as a metaphor for the principle that those who labor in spiritual matters should also expect to receive sustenance and benefit from their work.
The themes of this verse include the dignity of labor, the expectation of fair compensation, and the spiritual principle of hope. Paul emphasizes that just as a farmer plows in hope of a harvest and a thresher threshes in hope of sharing in the grain, so too should those who labor in preaching and teaching the gospel have the hope and expectation of receiving support from those they serve. This support is not merely financial but also includes the spiritual benefits of seeing the fruit of their labor in the lives of believers.
Historically, this verse reflects the early Christian tension between the itinerant ministry of apostles like Paul, who often relied on the hospitality and support of local communities, and the need for these ministers to maintain their credibility and independence by sometimes forgoing their rights to financial support. Paul's choice to sometimes work with his own hands (as mentioned in Acts 18:3 and 2 Thessalonians 3:8) rather than accept payment was a strategic decision to remove any obstacle to the gospel and to set an example of selflessness for the churches he founded.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: G3843
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάντως
Transliteration: pántōs
Pronunciation: pan'-toce
Description: adverb from πᾶς; entirely; specially, at all events, (with negative, following) in no event:--by all means, altogether, at all, needs, no doubt, in (no) wise, surely. - Strong's Number: G1223
There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διά
Transliteration: diá
Pronunciation: dee-ah'
Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance. - Strong's Number: G2248
There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμᾶς
Transliteration: hēmâs
Pronunciation: hay-mas'
Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we. - Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G1125
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γράφω
Transliteration: gráphō
Pronunciation: graf'-o
Description: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten). - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G722
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀροτριόω
Transliteration: arotrióō
Pronunciation: ar-ot-ree-o'-o
Description: from ἄροτρον; to plow:--plough. - Strong's Number: G3784
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀφείλω
Transliteration: opheílō
Pronunciation: of-i-leh'-o
Description: probably from the base of ὄφελος (through the idea of accruing); to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty:--behove, be bound, (be) debt(-or), (be) due(-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need(-s), ought, owe, should. See also ὄφελον. - Strong's Number: G1909
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπί
Transliteration: epí
Pronunciation: ep-ee'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G1680
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐλπίς
Transliteration: elpís
Pronunciation: el-pece'
Description: from a primary (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:--faith, hope. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G248
There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλοάω
Transliteration: aloáō
Pronunciation: al-o-ah'-o
Description: from the same as ἅλων; to tread out grain:--thresh, tread out the corn. - Strong's Number: G3348
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μετέχω
Transliteration: metéchō
Pronunciation: met-ekh'-o
Description: from μετά and ἔχω; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink):--be partaker, pertain, take part, use. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.