Parallel 1 COR 9:6

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρναβᾶς, οὐκ ἔχομεν

or only I and Barnabas not ˓are˒_having

The word Or introduces an alternate to what Paul asked in [9:4–5](../09/04.md). Paul already spoke about what he thinks is true: he and Barnabas do “have the right” to receive food and drink, and they “have the right” to travel with a wife. Here Paul gives the incorrect alternative: they alone do not have the right not to work. He introduces this incorrect alternate to show that his earlier statements must be true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express Or with a word that signifies a contrast or gives an alternative. Alternate translation: [Otherwise, would it not be true that only Barnabas and I do not have]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

ἢ μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρναβᾶς, οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι?

or only I and Barnabas not ˓are˒_having right not ˓to_be˒_working

Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The question assumes that the answer is “no, you do have the right.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this question with a strong statement. Alternate translation: [Barnabas and I too certainly have the right not to work.]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι

not ˓are˒_having right not ˓to_be˒_working

Paul here includes not twice. In his culture, two negative words made the statement even more negative. English speakers would understand two negatives here, so the ULT expresses the idea with both. If your language can use two negatives as Paul’s culture did, you could use a double negative here. If your language does not use two negatives in this way, you can translate with one negative and express the other negative by stating the opposite. Alternate translation: [do … lack the right not to work] or [do … not have the right to refrain from working]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

μόνος ἐγὼ καὶ Βαρναβᾶς, οὐκ ἔχομεν ἐξουσίαν

only I and Barnabas not ˓are˒_having right

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind right, you can express the idea by using a verbal phrase such as “are able to” or “can require.” Alternate translation: [are only Barnabas and I not able]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι

not ˓to_be˒_working

Here Paul refers to the privilege of receiving financial support from churches so that the person serving Christ does not have to work. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express what Paul is speaking about by clarifying that receiving aid from others is in view here. Alternate translation: [to receive financial support] or [not to work because believers support us]