1 Corinthians 9:1

King James Version (KJV)

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Am I not an apostle? - It is sufficiently evident that there were persons at Corinth who questioned the apostleship of St. Paul; and he was obliged to walk very circumspectly that they might not find any occasion against him. It appears also that he had given them all his apostolical labors gratis; and even this, which was the highest proof of his disinterested benevolence, was produced by his opposers as an argument against him. "Prophets, and all divinely commissioned men, have a right to their secular support; you take nothing: - is not this from a conviction that you have no apostolical right?" On this point the apostle immediately enters on his own defense.

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? - These questions are all designed as assertions of the affirmative: I am an apostle; and I am free - possessed of all the rights and privileges of an apostle.

Have I not seen Jesus Christ - From whom in his personal appearance to me, I have received my apostolic commission. This was judged essentially necessary to constitute an apostle. See Acts 22:14, Acts 22:15; Acts 26:16.

Are not ye my work - Your conversion from heathenism is the proof that I have preached with the Divine unction and authority.

Several good MSS. and versions transpose the two first questions in this verse, thus: Am I not free? am I not an apostle? But I cannot see that either perspicuity or sense gains any thing by this arrangement. On the contrary, it appears to me that his being an apostle gave him the freedom or rights to which he refers, and therefore the common arrangement I judge to be the best.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Am I not an apostle? - This was the point to be settled; and it is probable that some at Corinth had denied that he could be an apostle, since it was requisite, in order to that, to have seen the Lord Jesus; and since it was supposed that Paul had not been a witness of his life, doctrines, and death.

Am I not free? - Am I not a free man; have I not the liberty which all Christians possess, and especially which all the apostles possess? The “liberty” referred to here is doubtless the privilege or right of abstaining from labor; of enjoying as others did the domestic relations of life; and of a support as a public minister and apostle. Probably some had objected to his claims of apostleship that he had not used this right, and that he was conscious that he had no claim to it. By this mode of interrogation, he strongly implies that he was a freeman, and that he had this right.

Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? - Here it is implied, and seems to be admitted by Paul, that in order to be an “apostle” it was necessary to have seen the Saviour. This is often declared expressly; see the note at Acts 1:21-22. The reason of this was, that the apostles were appointed to be witnesses of the life, doctrines, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and that in their “being witnesses” consisted the uniqueness of the apostolic office. That this was the case is abundantly manifest from Matthew 28:18-19; Luke 24:48; Acts 1:21-22; Acts 2:32; Acts 10:39-41. Hence, it was essential, in order that anyone should be such a witness, and an apostle, that he should have seen the Lord Jesus. In the case of Paul, therefore, who was called to this office after the death and resurrection of the Saviour, and who had not therefore had an opportunity of seeing and hearing him when living, this was provided for by the fact that the Lord Jesus showed himself to him after his death and ascension, in order that he might have this qualification for the apostolic office, Acts 9:3-5, Acts 9:17. To the fact of his having been thus in a miraculous manner qualified for the apostolic office, Paul frequently appeals, and always with the same view that it was necessary to have seen the Lord Jesus to qualify one for this office, Acts 22:14-15; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 15:8. It follows from this, therefore, that no one was an apostle in the strict and proper sense who had not seen the Lord Jesus. And it follows, also, that the apostles could have no successors in that which constituted the uniqueness of their office; and that the office must have commenced and ended with them.

Are not ye my work in the Lord? - Have you not been converted by my labors, or under my ministry; and are you not a proof that the Lord, when I have been claiminG to be an apostle, has owned me “as an apostle,” and blessed me in this work? God would not give his sanction to an impostor, and a false pretender; and as Paul had labored there as an apostle, this was an argument that he had been truly commissioned of God. A minister may appeal to the blessing of God on his labors in proof that he is sent of Him. And one of the best of all arguments that a man is sent from God exists where multitudes of souls are converted from sin, and turned to holiness, by his labors. What better credentials than this can a man need that he is in the employ of God? What more consoling to his own mind? What more satisfactory to the world?

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to set forth himself as an example of self-denial, for the good of others. He had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and to claim what was needful for his wife, and his children if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have food provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than hinder his success by claiming it. It is the people's duty to maintain their minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due support.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. Apostle. This chapter superficially considered may have the appearance of a digression from the main trend of thought dwelt upon in the preceding chapter. However, it is a continuation of the theme of that chapter, especially of v. 13. Paul illustrates his willingness to forgo his rights for the sake of others, by showing what he has forgone of his rightful claims as an apostle. Furthermore, his claim to being an apostle had been challenged (v. 3). He proceeds to state the proofs of his apostleship. The statement of his right to be recognized as an apostle constitutes one of the most beautiful, elevated, and ennobling accounts to be found anywhere concerning the virtue of self-denial and the principles that ought to motivate the minister of the gospel. One who is filled with the spirit of Christ is willing to do anything and be anything in order to advance the interests of the kingdom of God.

Am I not free? Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) reversing the order of the first two questions. Placing the question “Am I not free?” first makes the connection between this verse and what has preceded it in ch. 8 more definite. It is as though Paul said: “I am asking you to give up your freedom, and to refrain from using it arbitrarily. I ask you to consider the spiritual condition of your weaker brethren, and to control your liberty accordingly. Am I not doing the same? I have certain privileges as an apostle of which I am not taking advantage, lest by so doing I should hinder some from making proper progress in the Christian path.” The construction of the questions in this verse shows that they all expect an affirmative answer.

Seen Jesus Christ. One objection to Paul’s claim to apostleship was that Paul had not been a companion of Christ while Christ was on earth. Jesus called the apostles His witnesses (see Acts 1:8). It is true that Paul had not been a companion of the Lord prior to His death, but he saw Him after His resurrection, and thus could claim inclusion in the company of the apostles (see Acts 9:3-5; see on 1 Cor. 15:8). It is worth noting that Paul frequently supported his claim to being an apostle by reference to his vision of the Lord (see Acts 22:14, 15; 26:16; 1 Cor. 15:8, 9).

My work. The apostle refers to the fact that the very ones who were raising objections to his being an apostle had been converted to the Lord under his ministry. He offers this as proof that Jesus recognized him as an apostle and blessed him in that work. It is unreasonable to think that God would so bless an impostor; therefore the establishment of the church at Corinth under Paul’s ministry was a witness to his apostleship. A minister may properly point to the blessing that attends his work of preaching the gospel as proof of the fact that he is called of God to the ministry of the Word (see Matt. 7:16, 20).

In the Lord. Paul admits that all that had been done by him had been accomplished by the power supplied by the Lord. He knew that of himself he could do nothing (cf. John 15:5). All his power and wisdom came from the Lord, who had called him to the apostolic office (Rom. 1:1; 1 Cor. 1:1; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:1; Titus 1:1). This complete submission to the will of God and intelligent acknowledgment of the inability of a man to do anything in his own strength, is the first and most important factor in the making of a successful minister of the gospel.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

They which are approved. That is, those who are willing to obey God and to cooperate with Him. Divisions in the church have the effect of revealing those who are restless, ambitious, and dissatisfied, those who are not willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, but who seek to do their own will, and are not prepared to abandon their own opinions for the sake of peace and harmony in the church. Individuals of this type are to be avoided (see on Rom. 16:17). On the other hand, there are those who recognize their own natural sinfulness and who are unwilling to place any confidence in their own opinions, realizing the danger of being influenced by the impulses, desires, and inclinations of unconverted flesh. Such church members declare themselves to be in favor of peaceful and happy compliance with all the instruction of God (see Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:16, 17, 19-26). During the world-shaking events that will usher in the close of earth’s history, when all men will be required to demonstrate their allegiance, many whose fidelity to truth has passed almost unnoticed will then shine like brilliant stars on a dark night (see 5T 80, 81).

Made manifest. The presence in the Corinthian church of some who were out of harmony with the mind of Christ, necessitated bringing into the open differences of belief that would stimulate believers to earnest search for a knowledge of God’s will, and that would lead to a disclosure of those who refused to be led by the Holy Spirit (see Luke 2:34, 35; 1 John 2:18, 19). Thus the presence of doctrinal differences, and various opinions relative to correct methods of procedure in the church, served as a means of sifting the church and separating the chaff from the wheat.

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 66

So it is with many among our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who have followed their own understanding. What a great relief it would be to such could they quiet their conscience with the belief that my work is not of God. But your unbelief will not change the facts in the case. You are defective in character, in moral and religious experience. Close your eyes to the fact if you will, but this does not make you one particle more perfect. The only remedy is to wash in the blood of the Lamb. 5T 66.1

If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God's people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. You have their history. You know how stubborn they were in their own opinions. They decided that their judgment was better than that of Moses and that Moses was doing great injury to Israel. Those who united with them were so set in their opinions that, notwithstanding the judgments of God in a marked manner destroyed the leaders and the princes, the next morning the survivors came to Moses and said: “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” We see what fearful deception will come upon the human mind. How hard it is to convince souls that have become imbued with a spirit which is not of God. As Christ's ambassador, I would say to you: Be careful what positions you take. This is God's work, and you must render to Him an account for the manner in which you treat His message. 5T 66.2

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1 Corinthians 9:1