ESV Reformation Study Bible – 1 Cor 9:5
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1 Cor 9:5

9:5 a believing wife. The Corinthians themselves may have raised this issue, as though the lack of a wife discredited Paul and Barnabas, or it may be Paul’s choice of an illustration to indicate the distinction between having a right and exercising it. Both Paul and Barnabas were unmarried at the time of their missionary work. Paul takes for granted that if he were to be married, it would be with a believer.