1 Corinthians 9:7

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

Who {G5101} goeth a warfare {G4754} any time at {G4218} his own {G2398} charges {G3800}? who {G5101} planteth {G5452} a vineyard {G290}, and {G2532} eateth {G2068} not {G3756} of {G1537} the fruit {G2590} thereof {G846}? or {G2228} who {G5101} feedeth {G4165} a flock {G4167}, and {G2532} eateth {G2068} not {G3756} of {G1537} the milk {G1051} of the flock {G4167}?

Did you ever hear of a soldier paying his own expenses? or of a farmer planting a vineyard without eating its grapes? Who shepherds a flock without drinking some of the milk?

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?

What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

1 Corinthians 9:7 is a powerful rhetorical statement by the Apostle Paul, laying the groundwork for his argument regarding the rights of those who serve in ministry. Through three vivid, common-sense analogies, Paul asserts the inherent principle that those who labor deserve to benefit from their work, particularly in the context of spiritual service.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 where Paul defends his apostolic authority and his right to financial support from the Corinthian church. While he often chose not to exercise this right (as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:12) so as not to hinder the gospel, he first establishes that the right itself is legitimate. He uses these everyday examples – a soldier, a farmer, and a shepherd – to appeal to their innate understanding of fairness and the natural order of compensation for one's labor.

Key Themes

  • Right to Compensation: The verse firmly establishes the principle that those who dedicate themselves to a task, especially one benefiting others, have a rightful expectation of support or benefit from that work. This is foundational for understanding the biblical view on supporting ministers and vocational laborers.
  • Divine Principle of Reciprocity: Paul moves beyond mere human logic, implying that this principle of compensation is not just a societal norm but a divine expectation for those who serve God's people. He later reinforces this by citing Old Testament law and the words of Jesus (see 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 and 1 Corinthians 9:14).
  • Common Sense and Natural Justice: The three questions are rhetorical, expecting an obvious "no" answer. No one expects a soldier to fund his own war, a farmer to go hungry from his own vineyard, or a shepherd to lack milk from his own flock. These examples powerfully illustrate the natural justice that underpins the apostle's claim.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "goeth a warfare any time at his own charges" uses "charges" from the Greek word opsonia (ὀψώνια), which specifically refers to a soldier's pay, provisions, or wages. This emphasizes that Paul is talking about direct financial compensation or living expenses, not just an abstract right. The analogies are simple and universal, making the point accessible and undeniable to his audience.

Practical Application

1 Corinthians 9:7 serves as a foundational text for understanding the biblical basis for supporting those who minister the Gospel. It encourages believers to provide for those who spiritually feed them, recognizing that the laborer is worthy of his hire (a principle also found in Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18). For those in ministry, it affirms their right to receive support, though Paul's own example throughout this chapter also presents a powerful model of self-sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel's advance. This verse reminds us that fair compensation for honest work is a principle woven into the fabric of God's design.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Proverbs 27:18

    ¶ Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

  • Deuteronomy 20:6

    And what man [is he] that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not [yet] eaten of it? let him [also] go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

  • 2 Timothy 2:3

    Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Timothy 2:4

    No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6

    I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:8

    Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

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