Robertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 9:7 - 9:7

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Robertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 9:7 - 9:7


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

What soldier ever serveth? (tis strateuetai pote̱). “Who ever serves as a soldier?” serves in an army (stratos). Present middle of old verb strateuō.

At his own charges (idiois opsōniois). This late word opsōnion (from opson, cooked meat or relish with bread, and ōneomai, to buy) found in Menander, Polybius, and very common in papyri and inscriptions in the sense of rations or food, then for the soldiers’ wages (often provisions) or the pay of any workman. So of the wages of sin (Rom 6:23). Paul uses labōn opsōnion (receiving wages, the regular idiom) in 2Co 11:8. See Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary; Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 148, 266; Light from the Ancient East, p. 168. To give proof of his right to receive pay for preaching Paul uses the illustrations of the soldier (1Co 9:7), the husbandman (1Co 9:7), the shepherd (1Co 9:7), the ox treading out the grain (1Co 9:8), the ploughman (1Co 9:10), the priests in the temple (1Co 9:13), proof enough in all conscience, and yet not enough for some churches who even today starve their pastors in the name of piety.

Who planteth a vineyard? (tis phuteuei ampelōna̱). Ampelōn no earlier than Diodorus, but in lxx and in papyri. Place of vines (ampelos), meaning of ending ̇ōn.

Who feedeth a flock? (tis poimainei poimnēṉ). Cognate accusative, both old words. Paul likens the pastor to a soldier, vinedresser, shepherd. He contends with the world, he plants churches, he exercises a shepherd’s care over them (Vincent).