1 Corinthians 9:1-5

New Living Translation

Paul Gives Up His Rights

9 Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? ²Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

³This is my answer to those who question my authority.^[a] ⁴Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? ⁵Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife^[b] with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter^[c] does?

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Footnotes

9:3 Greek those who examine me.
9:5a Greek a sister a wife.
9:5b Greek Cephas.

1 Corinthians 9:1-5

New International Version

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

9 Am I not free?^(A) Am I not an apostle?^(B) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?^(C) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?^(D) ²Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal^(E) of my apostleship in the Lord.

³This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. ⁴Don’t we have the right to food and drink?^(F) ⁵Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife^(G) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers^(H) and Cephas^[a]?^(I)