1 COR 9:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Aren’t I free? Aren’t I a missionary? Haven’t I seen Yeshua our master? Aren’t you all the result of my work for Yahweh?

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

UST I am not bound to eat only certain foods. Our Lord Jesus sent me to represent him, and I have seen him with my own eyes. God has united us to the Lord, and I have worked hard for you because of that.

BSB Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you [yourselves] not my workmanship in [the] Lord?

MSB Am I not an apostle? Am I not free?[fn] Have I not seen Jesus Christ[fn] our Lord? Are you [yourselves] not my workmanship in [the] Lord?

9:1 CT Am I not free? Am I not an apostle?

9:1 CT does not include Christ.

BLB Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

AICNT Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus [[Christ]][fn] our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

9:1, Christ: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB ¶ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen our Lord Jesus? Aren’t you yourselves my work achieved in union with the Lord?

WEBBE Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord?

WMBB Am I not free? Am I not an emissary? Haven’t I seen Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord?

NET Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

LSV Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the LORD?

FBV Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren't you the results of my work in the Lord?

TCNT Am I not [fn]an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus [fn]Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

9:1 an apostle? Am I not free 92% ¦ free? Am I not an apostle CT 5.8%

9:1 Christ ¦ — CT

T4T I am certainly free to do all the things that God allows me to do. [RHQ] I am an apostle. [RHQ] You certainly know that I have seen Jesus our Lord. [RHQ] It is a result of my work that you have believed in the Lord Jesus. [RHQ]

LEB Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

BBE Am I not free? am I not an Apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are you not my work in the Lord?

Moff Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the work I have accomplished in the Lord?

Wymth Am I not free? Am I not an Apostle? Can it be denied that I have seen Jesus, our Lord? Are not you yourselves my work in the Lord?

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

DRA Am not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?

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

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

RV Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
(Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye/you_all my work in the Lord? )

SLT Am I not sent? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord.

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

KJB-1769 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?
(Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye/you_all my work in the Lord? )

KJB-1611 ¶ Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? haue I not seene Iesus Christ our Lord? Are not you my worke in the Lord?
(¶ Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Yesus/Yeshua Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?)

Bshps Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? haue I not seene Iesus Christe our Lord: Are ye not my worke in the Lorde?
(Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Yesus/Yeshua Christ our Lord: Are ye/you_all not my work in the Lord?)

Gnva Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? haue I not seene Iesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my worke in the Lord?
(Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Yesus/Yeshua Christ our Lord? are ye/you_all not my work in the Lord? )

Cvdl Am I not an Apostle? Am I not fre? Haue I not sene Iesus Christ oure LORDE?
(Am I not an Apostle? Am I not fre? Have I not seen Yesus/Yeshua Christ our LORD?)

TNT Am I not an Apostle? am I not fre? have I not sene Iesus Christ oure lorde? Are not ye my worke in the lorde.
(Am I not an Apostle? am I not fre? have I not seen Yesus/Yeshua Christ our lorde? Are not ye/you_all my work in the lorde. )

Wycl Whether Y am not fre? Am Y not apostle? Whether Y saiy not `Crist Jhesu, `oure Lord? Whether ye ben not my werk in the Lord?
(Whether I am not fre? Am I not apostle? Whether I say not Christ Yhesu, our Lord? Whether ye/you_all been not my work in the Lord?)

Luth Bin ich nicht ein Apostel? Bin ich nicht frei? Habe ich nicht unsern HErr’s JEsum Christum gesehen? Seid nicht ihr mein Werk in dem HErr’s?
(Am I not a apostles? Am I not free? goods I not ours LORD’s Yesum Christum seen? Are/Be not you(pl)/their/her my work in to_him LORD’s?)

ClVg Non sum liber? non sum Apostolus? nonne Christum Jesum Dominum nostrum vidi? nonne opus meum vos estis in Domino?[fn]
(Not/No I_am liber? not/no I_am Apostolus? isn't_it Christ/Messiah Yesus the_Master our I_saw? isn't_it work/need mine you(pl) you_are in/into/on Master? )

9.1 Non sum liber. Incipit se proponere in exemplum, ut sicut ipse abstinet a licitis pro scandalo fratrum, ita et illi. Quasi diceret: Abstinete ab hoc licito, quia ego habeo libertatem accipiendi stipendia, et tamen non accipio. Etsi sic inductum sit, intendit tamen se comprobare apostolum, quia occasione pseudoapostolorum minus de eo senserunt Corinthii.

9.1 Not/No I_am liber. It_begins himself proponere in/into/on exemplum, as like exactly_that/himself abstinet from licitis for scandalo brothers, so/thus and them. As_if would_say: Abstinete away this licito, because I I_have freedom to_receive stipendia, and nevertheless not/no be_acceptedo. Although so inductum be, he_intends nevertheless himself comprobare apostolum, because on_occasion pseudoof_the_apostles minus from/about by_him senserunt Corinthii.

UGNT οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος? οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος? οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν ἑόρακα? οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Κυρίῳ?
(ouk eimi eleutheros? ouk eimi apostolos? ouⱪi Yaʸsoun ton Kurion haʸmōn heoraka? ou to ergon mou humeis este en Kuriōi?)

SBL-GNT Οὐκ εἰμὶ ⸂ἐλεύθερος; οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος⸃; οὐχὶ ⸀Ἰησοῦν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑόρακα; οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ;
(Ouk eimi ⸂eleutheros; ouk eimi apostolos⸃; ouⱪi ⸀Yaʸsoun ton kurion haʸmōn heoraka; ou to ergon mou humeis este en kuriōi;)

RP-GNT Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν χριστὸν τὸν κύριον ἡμῶν ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν κυρίῳ;
(Ouk eimi apostolos; Ouk eimi eleutheros; Ouⱪi Yaʸsoun ⱪriston ton kurion haʸmōn heōraka; Ou to ergon mou humeis este en kuriōi;)

TC-GNT Οὐκ εἰμὶ [fn]ἀπόστολος; Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; Οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν [fn]Χριστὸν τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν [fn]ἑώρακα; Οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Κυρίῳ;
(Ouk eimi apostolos; Ouk eimi eleutheros; Ouⱪi Yaʸsoun Ⱪriston ton Kurion haʸmōn heōraka; Ou to ergon mou humeis este en Kuriōi; )

9:1 αποστολος ουκ ειμι ελευθερος 92% ¦ ελευθερος ουκ ειμι αποστολος CT 5.8%

9:1 χριστον ¦ — CT

9:1 εωρακα ¦ εορακα NA SBL WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 9:1–27: Paul did not use his rights as an apostle

In this section Paul responded to a claim by some of the Corinthians that he was not an apostle. First, he defended his calling and work as an apostle. Then he used himself as an example of someone who did not use his rights.

In chapter 8 and chapter 10 Paul talked about food offered to idols. In this chapter Paul said that he was an example of somebody who had the right to do anything. He was thinking about the right to eat any kind of food. Out of love for others he refrained from doing things that he had a right to do. Instead, he tried to act in a way that would lead others to Christ.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul’s rights as an apostle

Paul's example of not using his rights

Paragraph 9:1–2

In this paragraph Paul argued that he truly was an apostle and gave proof of his apostleship.

9:1a-d

In this verse there are four rhetorical questions which describe Paul’s authority as an apostle and why he acted as he did.

9:1a

Am I not free?

¶ I am a free person, am I not?
¶ Am I not free from the law? Yes I am.
¶ I am free. (CEV)

Am I not free?: This is the first of four rhetorical questions in 9:1.9:1 In some Greek manuscripts the first two questions are in reverse order. The KJV follows these manuscripts. It is recommended that you follow the order in the BSB, which is the same as that of the UBS Greek NT. Paul used this question as a strong statement that expects the response “yes.” He stated that he was free. Here are some ways to translate this strong statement:

Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Don’t you agree that I’m a free man? (GW)
Am I not free from the law?
Use a rhetorical question with its own response. For example:
Am I not a free person? Of course I am.
Use a strong statement. For example:
I am free (CEV)
Nothing controls me
I am free from the law

Translate this strong statement in a way that is natural in your language.

free: There are at least two ways to interpret the meaning of the word free.

Paul was free from the ceremonial law, and thus free to eat and drink what he liked. This refers back to chapter 8. This could be expressed as:
Am I not free from the law?9:1 See Thiselton, Robertson and Plummer, or Lenski.
Paul was free to not have to work for a living. This refers forward to 9:5–12. This could be expressed as:
Am I not free from working for my living?9:1 See Ellington & Hatton.

It is best to translate this in a way that allows for either interpretation, if possible. If you must make a choice, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the interpretation supported by several commentaries. The word free in this verse does not refer to freedom from slavery.

9:1b

Am I not an apostle?

I am an apostle, am I not?
I am a messenger of Christ.

Am I not an apostle?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used it as a strong statement that expects the response “yes.” It introduces Paul’s proof that he was an apostle. He continued to make this point in 9:3–18. Here are some ways to translate this statement:

Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Don’t you agree that I am an apostle? (GW)
Do you think that I am not an apostle?
Use a rhetorical question with its own response. For example:
Am I not an apostle? Of course I am.
Use a strong statement. For example:
Certainly, I am an apostle

Translate this strong statement in a way that will help readers to think about Paul’s authority and his position as an apostle.

apostle: The word apostle means “a messenger.” It is someone who is sent on a mission or sent with a message. An apostle represents the people who sent him, and has their authority.

The “apostles” were the people whom Jesus sent with his authority to heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, and preach the good news of the Kingdom.

Here are some ways to translate the word apostle:

Translate the meaning of the Greek word apostle. For example:
messenger
representative
person sent to speak/act for Jesus
person with authority from Jesus
Indicate the role or function of apostles. For example:
chief leader of Jesus’ work
person who is in charge of Jesus’ work

Use the word for apostle that you used in the gospels. See for example, Matthew 10:2.

Be careful to choose different terms for apostle, “disciple,” “angel,” “elder,” and “prophet.”

See also the article in KBT about the term apostle.

9:1c

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

I have seen Jesus our^(incl) Lord, have I not?
I myself have seen our Lord Jesus.

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used it as a strong statement. He expected them to respond, “Yes, you have.” Here are some ways to translate this strong statement:

Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? (NLT)
Use a rhetorical question with its own response. For example:
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Of course I have.
Use a statement. For example:
I myself have seen Jesus our Lord

Translate this strong statement in a way that is natural in your language.

One requirement for becoming an apostle was to see Jesus after his resurrection.9:1 See Acts 1:21–22. Paul saw Jesus when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul told them that he had seen Jesus in order to prove to them that he was an apostle. See Acts 9:1–6; 1 Corinthians 15:8; Galatians 1:11–17.

9:1d

Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?

Are you^(plur) not the fruit of my work in the Lord?
You became followers of the Lord as a result of the work that he helped me to do, did you not?
You are my work in the Lord.

Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?: This is a rhetorical question. Paul used it as a strong statement. He expected them to respond, “Yes, we are.” Here are some ways to translate this strong statement:

Use a rhetorical question. For example:
Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord? (GNT)
Use a rhetorical question with its own response. For example:
Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? Of course you are.
Use a statement. For example:
You are my workmanship in the Lord

Translate this strong statement in a way that is natural in your language.

The second requirement for becoming an apostle was to receive a commission from the Lord Jesus to preach the gospel. Paul received that commission, and the Corinthians believed in the Lord Jesus through his message. See Acts 22:14–15, Galatians 1:15–16, and 1 Corinthians 2:1–5. So the Corinthians believers were proof that Paul was an apostle.

my workmanship: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as my workmanship is more literally “my work.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

You are the fruit of my work

Are you not my work in the Lord? (NJB)

Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? (NLT)

Translate this phrase so that the meaning is clear. Paul preached the gospel and the Corinthians became believers through hearing him preach. Here is another way to translate this:

I…have led you to have faith in him (CEV)

in the Lord: There are three ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the BSB translates as in the Lord:

It means that Paul worked through the Lord. The Lord enabled Paul to do this work. For example:
aren’t you the result of my work which the Lord helped me to do?
It means that Paul worked for the Lord. For example:
aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord? (GNT) (GNT, GW)
It indicates that the Corinthians were in the Lord. For example:
Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? (NLT) (NLT, CEV)

It is recommended that you choose interpretation (1). This is supported by several commentaries.9:1 See, for example, Ellington & Hatton, page 193, which says, “In the Lord means in this context ‘by the Lord working through me.’” Most English versions translate this literally and it is not clear which view they support.

General Comment on 9:1a-d

In some languages it may not be natural to have four short sentences in a row like this. You may wish to combine two or more into a longer sentence. For example:

^1aI am free. ^1bI am an apostle. ^1cI have seen the Lord Jesus ^1dand have led you to have faith in him. (CEV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος? οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος? οὐχὶ Ἰησοῦν τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν ἑόρακα? οὐ τὸ ἔργον μου ὑμεῖς ἐστε ἐν Κυρίῳ?

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οὐκ εἰμί ἐλεύθερος Οὐκ εἰμί ἀπόστολος Οὐχί Ἰησοῦν τόν Κύριον ἡμῶν ἑόρακα Οὒ τό ἔργον μού ὑμεῖς ἐστέ ἐν Κυρίῳ)

Paul does not ask these questions because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks them to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The questions assume that the answer to all of them is “yes.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express these questions by stating the ideas with strong affirmations. Alternate translation: [I certainly am free. I certainly am an apostle. I have certainly seen Jesus our Lord. You are certainly my work in the Lord.]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐλεύθερος

free

Here, free could mean that Paul is free to: (1) eat whatever he wants. This connects this question with chapter 8. Alternate translation: [free to eat whatever I wish] (2) receive financial support from the believers he serves. This connects this question with the first half of this chapter. Alternate translation: [free to receive support from you]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τὸ ἔργον μου

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind work, you can express the idea by using a verb such as “labor.” Alternate translation: [whom I labor for]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τὸ ἔργον μου

Here, work refers to the result of the work. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express work by clarifying that what the work produced is the focus here. Alternate translation: [the result of my work]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐν Κυρίῳ

in ˓the˒_Lord

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in the Lord to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in the Lord, or united to the Lord, describes the work as what Paul does because of his union with the Lord. Alternate translation: [in union with the Lord] or [that I perform because I am united to the Lord]

Parallel 1 COR 9:1

Section 9:1–27: Paul did not use his rights as an apostle

Paragraph 9:1–2

9:1a-d

9:1a

9:1b

9:1c

9:1d

General Comment on 9:1a-d

Parallel 1 COR 9:1