1 Corinthians 9:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul asks whether he and Barnabas alone lack the right to set aside ordinary labor and be supported in their ministry.
What Does 1 Corinthians 9:6 Mean?
Paul names Barnabas, his early missionary companion, and asks pointedly whether the two of them are uniquely obligated to support themselves by manual labor. The implication is that they, like other apostles, have the right to be sustained by the churches and to refrain from outside work.
Yet Paul and Barnabas often chose to work with their hands rather than burden the young congregations. Paul raises this not in resentment but to underline that their self-support was a choice, not a deficiency in their standing. The pattern reveals a heart that would rather give than receive, that the gospel might advance unhindered. Such freely chosen labor preaches its own sermon about the selflessness Christ inspires in His servants.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 9:6
What does 1 Corinthians 9:6 mean?
Paul asks whether he and Barnabas alone lack the right to set aside ordinary labor and be supported in their ministry.