1 Corinthians 9:2 Meaning and Explanation
“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even if some elsewhere doubt Paul's apostleship, the Corinthians cannot, for their own conversion is the living seal that authenticates his calling.
What Does 1 Corinthians 9:2 Mean?
Paul continues answering his critics. Whatever others may think of him, the Corinthians stand in a special position, because it was through his ministry that the gospel first reached them. He calls them the seal of his apostleship, using the image of a mark that confirms something as genuine and authoritative.
A seal in the ancient world certified ownership and authenticity. Paul says the Corinthian believers themselves are that certification, for their transformed lives in the Lord could not have come about apart from a true commission from Christ. This is a humbling thought for any congregation: the changed lives that ministry produces are the clearest evidence of God's hand at work. The fruit testifies to the calling, and the calling testifies to the One who gave it.
1 Corinthians 9:2 in the Original Language
sphragis (σφραγίς), 'seal' -- a mark certifying authenticity, ownership, or approval.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 9:2
What does 1 Corinthians 9:2 mean?
Even if some elsewhere doubt Paul's apostleship, the Corinthians cannot, for their own conversion is the living seal that authenticates his calling.