1 Corinthians 9:13

King James Version (KJV)

Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

They which minister about holy things - All the officers about the temple, whether priests, Levites, Nethinim, etc., had a right to their support while employed in its service. The priests partook of the sacrifices; the others had their maintenance from tithes, first fruits, and offerings made to the temple; for it was not lawful for them to live on the sacrifices. Hence the apostle makes the distinction between those who minister about holy things and those who wait at the altar.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Do ye not know … - In this verse Paul illustrates the doctrine that the ministers of religion were, entitled to a support from the fact that those who were appointed to offer sacrifice receive a maintenance in their work.

They which minister about holy things - Probably the “Levites.” Their office was to render assistance to the priests, to keep guard around the tabernacle, and subsequently around the temple. It was also their duty to see that the temple was kept clean, and to prepare supplies for the sanctuary, such as oil, wine, incense, etc. They had the care of the revenues, and after the time of David were required to sing in the temple, and to play upon instruments. Numbers 4:1, Numbers 4:30, Numbers 4:35, Numbers 4:42; 8:5-22; 1 Chronicles 23:3-5, 1 Chronicles 23:24, 1 Chronicles 23:27; 1 Chronicles 24:20-31.

Live of the things of the temple - Margin, “Feed;” that is, are supported in their work by the offerings of the people, and by the provisions which were made for the temple service; see Numbers 18:24-32.

And they which wait at the altar - Probably the priests who were employed in offering sacrifice.

Are partakers with the altar - That is, a part of the animal offered in sacrifice is burned as an offering to God, and a part becomes the property of the priest for his support; and thus the altar and the priest become joint participators of the sacrifice. From these offerings the priest derived their maintenance; see Numbers 18:8-19; Deuteronomy 18:1, etc. The argument of the apostle here is this: “As the ministers of religion under the Jewish dispensation were entitled to support by the authority and the law of God, that fact settles a general principle which is applicable also to the gospel, that he intends that the ministers of religion should derive their support in their work. If it was reasonable then, it is reasonable now. If God commanded it then, it is to be presumed that he intends to require it now.

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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

13. Know. Paul referred to the common knowledge among Jews, and those acquainted with them, that the priests were entitled to their support from the things of the Temple. The history of the Israelites has been recorded for the benefit of the Christian church, and the principles of church administration found in the ancient Temple service are worthy of careful study.

They which minister. Not only the priests but also the Levites worked in the Temple and looked after the sacred equipment of that holy building. They kept the Temple clean and prepared supplies for the sanctuary, such as oil and incense; they also provided the musicians for the Temple service (see Num. 1:50-53; 3:5-37; 4:1-33; 8:5-22; 1 Chron. 23:3-6, 24, 27-32).

Of the temple. God had given instructions through Moses that the priests and their assistants should not have any inheritance in the land of Palestine, but should derive their support entirely from the Temple (see Num. 18:20-24; 26:57, 62; Deut. 18:1-8). Being largely free from the responsibilities connected with the care of land and other property, the priests and Levites were able to devote their entire attention to the important work of the Temple. They had no cause to be troubled with the necessity of providing for their temporal wants; God had made provision for that through the tithe and sacrificial offerings of the congregation.

At the altar. This phrase no doubt refers specifically to the priests, for it was their duty to offer the sacrifices on the altar. The Levites assisted in the preparation of the sacrifices and the care of the vessels and instruments that were used by the priests, but it was the prerogative of the priests alone to offer the sacrifice before the Lord and to place the incense on the golden altar before the veil (see Ex. 28:1-3; Num. 18:1-7).

With the altar. Part of the animals of certain sacrifices were reserved for the use of the priest. Thus the priest shared the sacrificial animal with the altar (see Lev. 6:16-18; 7:15, 16, 31-34; Num. 18:8-10; Deut. 18:1, 2).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 335-6

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gave the believers instruction regarding the general principles underlying the support of God's work in the earth. Writing of his apostolic labors in their behalf, he inquired: AA 335.1

“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. AA 335.2

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Ellen G. White
SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6 (EGW), 1088

13. See EGW on Jeremiah 23:28; Revelation 20:12, 13. 6BC 1088.1

16-23. See EGW on 1 Thessalonians 5:23. 6BC 1088.2

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 409-10

When not actively engaged in preaching, the apostle Paul labored at his trade as a tentmaker. This he was obliged to do on account of having accepted unpopular truth. Before he embraced Christianity he had occupied an elevated position and was not dependent upon his labor for support. Among the Jews it was customary to teach the children some trade, however high the position they were expected to fill, that a reverse of circumstances might not leave them incapable of sustaining themselves. In accordance with this custom Paul was a tentmaker, and when his means had been expended to advance the cause of Christ and for his own support, he resorted to his trade in order to gain a livelihood. 4T 409.1

No man ever lived who was a more earnest, energetic, and self-sacrificing disciple of Christ than was Paul. He was one of the world's greatest teachers. He crossed the seas and traveled far and near, until a large portion of the world had learned from his lips the story of the cross of Christ. He possessed a burning desire to bring perishing man to a knowledge of the truth through a Saviour's love. His soul was wrapped up in the work of the ministry, and it was with feelings of pain that he withdrew from this work to toil for his own bodily necessities; but he seated himself to the drudgery of the craftsman that he might not be burdensome to the churches that were pressed with poverty. Although he had planted many churches he refused to be supported by them, fearing that his usefulness and success as a minister of the gospel might be interfered with by suspicions of his motives. He would remove all occasion for his enemies to misrepresent him and thus detract from the force of his message. 4T 409.2

Paul appeals to his Corinthian brethren to understand that, as a laborer in the gospel, he might claim his support, instead of sustaining himself; but this right he was willing to forego, fearing that the acceptance of means for his support might possibly stand in the way of his usefulness. Although feeble in health, he labored during the day in serving the cause of Christ, and then toiled a large share of the night, and frequently all night, that he might make provision for his own and others’ necessities. The apostle would also give an example to his brethren, thus dignifying and honoring industry. When our ministers feel that they are suffering hardships and privations in the cause of Christ, let them in imagination visit the workshop of the apostle Paul, bearing in mind that while this chosen man of God is fashioning the canvas, he is working for bread which he has justly earned by his labors as an apostle of Jesus Christ. At the call of duty this great apostle would lay aside his business to meet the most violent opponents and stop their proud boasting, and then he would resume his humble employment. His religious industry is a rebuke to the indolence of some of our ministers. When they have opportunity to labor to help sustain themselves they should do so with gladness. 4T 409.3

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