1 Corinthians 9:8

Contextual Overview

³ This is my defense to those who would examine me. ³ My defence to them that examine mee, is this, ³ So my answer to those who criticize me is this, ³ When people question me, I tell them ³ That is my defense when people put me under examination. ³ My defence to those who examine me is this: ³ My defense to those who examine me is this. ³ This is my defense to those who would examine me: ³ 3 My apology to them who judge me [fn] is this: ³ 3 And [fn] apology to my judgers, is this:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

as: 1 Corinthians 7:40, Romans 6:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:8

or: 1 Corinthians 14:34, Isaiah 8:20, Romans 3:31

Reciprocal: Romans 3:5 - I speak Romans 7:1 - them that

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Say I these things as a man?.... After the manner of men, reasoning from things common among men, and obvious to everyone's observation:

or saith not the law the same also? As the subject the apostle is upon was capable of being illustrated and confirmed by instances common unto, and easy of observation among men; so it might be supported by divine authority; it was not only a clear point from the reason of things, but was certain by the law of God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Say I these things as a man? - Do I speak this on my own authority, or without the sanction of God? Is not this, which appears to be so reasonable and equitable, also supported by the authority of God?

Or saith not the law the same also? - The Law of Moses, to which the “Jewish” part of the church at Corinth - which probably had mainly urged these objections - professed to bow with deference. Paul was accustomed, especially in arguing with the Jews, to derive his proofs from the Old Testament. In the previous verse he had shown that it was equitable that ministers of the gospel should be supported. In this and the following verses he shows that the same principle was recognized and acted on under the Jewish dispensation. He does not mean to say, by this example of the ox treading out the grain, that the law as given by Moses referred to the Christian ministry; but that the principle there was settled that the laborer should have a support, and that a suitable provision should not be withheld even from an ox; and if God so regarded the welfare of a brute when laboring, it was much more reasonable to suppose that he would require a suitable provision to be made for the ministers of religion.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 9:8. Say I these things as a man? — Is this only human reasoning? or does not God say in effect the same things? Romans 6:19; Romans 6:19.