Robertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 9:6 - 9:6

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Robertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 9:6 - 9:6


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Have we not a right to forbear working? (ouk echomen exousian mē ergazesthai̱). By ē (or) Paul puts the other side about Barnabas (the only allusion since the dispute in Act 15:39, but in good spirit) and himself. Perhaps (Hofmann) Paul has in mind the fact that in the first great mission tour (Acts 13; 14), Barnabas and Paul received no help from the church in Antioch, but were left to work their way along at their own charges. It was not till the Philippian Church took hold that Paul had financial aid (Phi 4:15). Here both negatives have their full force. Literally, Do we not have (ouk echomen, expecting the affirmative reply) the right not (mē, negative of the infinitive ergazesthai) to do manual labour (usual meaning of ergazomai as in 1Co 4:12)?” There was no more compulsion on Paul and Barnabas to support themselves than upon the other workers for Christ. They renounced no rights in being voluntarily independent.