Verse Lens · Concise explanation
1 Corinthians 9:6 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 6. 6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse asks why Paul and Barnabas alone should lack freedom from paid labor.
The ox is not muzzled, and the worker is not a lord.
This verse is one part of that explanation in 1 Corinthians 9:1–14. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 1 Corinthians 9:1–14
Read 1 Corinthians 9:6 with 9:1–14. This verse asks why Paul and Barnabas alone should lack freedom from paid labor. The complete unit establishes: Paul defends genuine apostolic rights to food, family accompaniment, and material support through ordinary labor analogies, Torah, temple practice, and Jesus's instruction, while the Corinthians themselves serve as the seal of his ministry.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The rights argument makes renunciation meaningful: love does not deny legitimate provision but chooses how and when not to claim it. At 9:6, this verse asks why Paul and Barnabas alone should lack freedom from paid labor.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
In plain language: This verse asks why Paul and Barnabas alone should lack freedom from paid labor.
It contributes specifically to Apostolic Rights Are Real and Accountable inside 1 Corinthians 9:1–14.
Why it matters: The wording identifies this verse's distinct contribution without requiring an independent extended treatment.
How certain? probableWhat Remains True
This verse asks why Paul and Barnabas alone should lack freedom from paid labor. This supports the unit's enduring conclusion: Those who serve may receive transparent material support without converting a right into domination.
Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 1 Corinthians 9:1–14 — Apostolic Rights Are Real and AccountableSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? strong
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 1 Corinthians 9:1–14, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 1Cor.txt, 9:1–14
Open the 1 Corinthians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible - 1 Corinthians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005-2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 1 Corinthians 9:1–14 print view with translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 1 Corinthians PDF