The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:12 Explained

1 Corinthians 9:12

KJV: If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

YLT: if others do partake of the authority over you -- not we more? but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no hindrance to the good news of the Christ.

Darby: If others partake of this right over you, should not rather we? But we have not used this right, but we bear all things, that we may put no hindrance in the way of the glad tidings of the Christ.

ASV: If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If  others  be partakers  of [this] power  over you,  [are] not  we  rather?  Nevertheless  we have  not  used  this  power;  but  suffer  all things,  lest  we should  hinder  the gospel  of Christ. 

What does 1 Corinthians 9:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Fourth, the precedent of the practice of other Christian leaders supported Paul"s point. As the planter of the Corinthian church Paul had a right to the support of the Corinthians more than any of their other ministers did. Yet he did not insist on his right. He chose rather to support himself so his work of establishing the church might not suffer from criticism that he was serving for the material benefits he derived from his converts.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 9:1-15 - Rights And Their Surrender
Paul's claim to an equality with Peter and the other Apostles was violently disputed by his enemies at Corinth, because in several matters he differed from them. Unlike Peter, he had no wife to support, and he worked for his livelihood, instead of being supported by the churches. In this chapter he strongly asserts his rights in this particular; but he is equally strong in saying that he had refused to avail himself of his right, that he might influence a wider circle of men. He was a soldier, a vineyard-keeper, a shepherd, and could claim his maintenance. But he desired to be free from the slightest imputation of self-seeking. He knew that jealous critics were watching his every action and seeking to weigh his secret motives. These were the very men he desired to win, and for their sakes he voluntarily surrendered his undoubted rights.
What a lesson for all of us and especially for those who are called to be ministers of Christ's gospel! We must be above suspicion. If we do or permit anything that might prove a hindrance to the acceptance of Christ by others, we must forego it, though reasonable in itself, that we may win them to our Savior. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 9

1  He shows his liberty;
7  and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
15  yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
18  to be neither chargeable unto them,
22  nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent
24  Our life is like unto a race

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 9:12

Over you [υμων]
Objective genitive after εχουσιαν — exousian [source]
Do not we yet more? [ου μαλλον ημεισ]
Because of Paul‘s peculiar relation to that church as founder and apostle. But we bear all things (αλλα παντα στεγομεν — alla panta stegomen). Old verb to cover (στεγη — stegē roof) and so to cover up, to conceal, to endure (1 Corinthians 13:7 of love). Paul deliberately declined to use (usual instrumental case with χραομαι — chraomai) his right to pay in Corinth. That we may cause no hindrance Late word ενκοπη — enkopē a cutting in (cf. radio or telephone) or hindrance from ενκοπτω — enkoptō to cut in, rare word (like εκκοπη — ekkopē) here only in N.T. and once in Vettius Valens. How considerate Paul is to avoid “a hindrance to the gospel of Christ” (τωι ευαγγελιωι του Χριστου — tōi euaggeliōi tou Christou dative case and genitive) rather than insist on his personal rights and liberties, an eloquent example for all modern men. [source]
But we bear all things [αλλα παντα στεγομεν]
Old verb to cover Paul deliberately declined to use (usual instrumental case with χραομαι — chraomai) his right to pay in Corinth. [source]
That we may cause no hindrance [ινα μη τινα ενκοπην δωμεν]
Late word ενκοπη — enkopē a cutting in (cf. radio or telephone) or hindrance from ενκοπτω — enkoptō to cut in, rare word (like εκκοπη — ekkopē) here only in N.T. and once in Vettius Valens. How considerate Paul is to avoid “a hindrance to the gospel of Christ” (τωι ευαγγελιωι του Χριστου — tōi euaggeliōi tou Christou dative case and genitive) rather than insist on his personal rights and liberties, an eloquent example for all modern men. [source]
Power [ἐξουσίας]
Rev., correctly, right. The right to claim maintenance. [source]
Suffer [στέγομεν]
Rev., bear. The primary meaning is to cover. So some render 1 Corinthians 13:7, covereth for beareth. Hence to protect by covering, as with a tight ship or roof. So Aesehylus, of a ship: “The wooden house with sails that keeps out ( στέγων ) the sea” (“Suppliants,” 126). “The tower keeps off ( ἀποστέγει ) the multitude of the enemy” (“Seven against Thebes,” 220). And so, to bear up against, endure. Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5. [source]
Hinder [ἐγκοπὴν δῶμεν]
Lit., give hindrance. Rev., cause hindrance. Ἑγκοπή hindranceonly here in the New Testament. Primarily, an incision, and so used by the physician Galen. Compare the kindred verb ἐγκόπτω tocut into, also occurring in Hippocrates in the surgical sense. In the sense of cutting into one's way, it gets the meaning of hindrance. See Acts 24:4; Romans 15:22; Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18; 1 Peter 3:7. Compare the Latin intercidere to divide, inter-rupt. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 9:12

1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth [στέγει]
See on suffer, 1 Corinthians 9:12. It keeps out resentment as the ship keeps out the water, or the roof the rain. [source]
1 Corinthians 10:17 Who are many [οι πολλοι]
The many. We all (οι παντες — hoi pantes). We the all, the whole number, οι παντες — hoi pantes being in apposition with the subject we (ημεις — hēmeis unexpressed). Partake Have a part with or in, share in. See 1 Corinthians 9:12; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 5:13 (partaking of milk). Of the one bread (του ενος αρτου — tou henos artou). Of the one loaf, the article του — tou referring to one loaf already mentioned. One body Here the mystical spiritual body of Christ as in 1 Corinthians 12:12., the spiritual kingdom or church of which Christ is head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23). [source]
1 Corinthians 10:17 Partake [μετεχομεν]
Have a part with or in, share in. See 1 Corinthians 9:12; Hebrews 2:14; Hebrews 5:13 (partaking of milk). Of the one bread (του ενος αρτου — tou henos artou). Of the one loaf, the article του — tou referring to one loaf already mentioned. One body Here the mystical spiritual body of Christ as in 1 Corinthians 12:12., the spiritual kingdom or church of which Christ is head (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 5:23). [source]
1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things [παντα στεγει]
Στεγω — Stegō is old verb from στεγη — stegē roof, already in 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:5 which see. Love covers, protects, forbears (suffert, Vulgate). See note on 1 Peter 4:8 “because love covers a multitude of sins” (οτι αγαπη καλυπτει πητος αμαρτιων — hoti agapē kaluptei phēthos hamartiōn), throws a veil over. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:1 Forbear [στέγοντες]
Lit. no longer forbearing. See on 1 Corinthians 9:12: lxx, 1Thessalonians href="/desk/?q=1th+3:2&sr=1">1 Thessalonians 3:2) and I sent (1 Thessalonians 3:5), the previous presence of Timothy with him at Athens. [source]
1 Thessalonians 3:1 When we could no longer forbear [μηκετι στεγοντες]
Στεγω — Stegō is old verb to cover from στεγη — stegē roof (Mark 2:4), to cover with silence, to conceal, to keep off, to endure as here and 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 13:7. In the papyri in this sense (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary). Μηκετι — Mēketi usual negative with participle in the Koiné{[28928]}š rather than ουκετι — ouketi [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Our gospel [το ευαγγελιον ημων]
The gospel (see Matthew 4:23; note on Mark 1:1 and Mark 1:15 for ευαγγελιον — euaggelion) which we preach, Paul‘s phrase also in 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3; Romans 2:16; Romans 16:25; 2 Timothy 2:8. Paul had a definite, clear-cut message of grace that he preached everywhere including Thessalonica. This message is to be interpreted in the light of Paul‘s own sermons in Acts and Epistles, not by reading backward into them the later perversions of Gnostics and sacramentarians. This very word was later applied to the books about Jesus, but Paul is not so using the term here or anywhere else. In its origin Paul‘s gospel is of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:9), in its substance it is Christ‘s (1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:8), and Paul is only the bearer of it (1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14) as Milligan points out. Paul and his associates have been entrusted with this gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4) and preach it (Galatians 2:2). Elsewhere Paul calls it God‘s gospel (2 Corinthians 11:7; Romans 1:1; Romans 15:16) or Christ‘s (1 Corinthians 9:12; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 2 Corinthians 9:13; 2 Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 1:7; Romans 15:19; Philemon 1:27). In both instances it is the subjective genitive. Came unto you (εγενητη εις υμας — egenēthē eis humās). First aorist passive indicative of γινομαι — ginomai in practically same sense as εγενετο — egeneto (second aorist middle indicative as in the late Greek generally). So also εις υμας — eis humās like the Koiné{[28928]}š is little more than the dative υμιν — humin (Robertson, Grammar, p. 594). Not only - but also Sharp contrast, negatively and positively. The contrast between δυναμις — logos (word) and εν πνευματι αγιωι και πληροποριαι πολληι — dunamis (power) is seen also in 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 4:20. Paul does not refer to miracles by εν — dunamis In the Holy Spirit and much assurance (λογωι δυναμει — en pneumati hagiōi kai plērophoriāi pollēi). Preposition πληροποριαι — en repeated with πληροπορεω — logōiκατως οιδατε — dunamei but only once here thus uniting closely Holy Spirit and much assurance. No article with either word. The word οιοι εγενητημεν υμιν — plērophoriāi is not found in ancient Greek or the lxx. It appears once in Clement of Rome and one broken papyrus example. For the verb οιοι — plērophoreō see note on Luke 1:1. The substantive in the N.T. only here and Colossians 2:2; Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:22. It means the full confidence which comes from the Holy Spirit. Even as ye know (υμιν — kathōs oidate). Paul appeals to the Thessalonians themselves as witnesses to the character of his preaching and life among them. What manner of men we showed ourselves toward you Literally, What sort of men we became to you. Qualitative relative ημετα — hoioi and dative δι υμας — humin and first aorist passive indicative egenēthēmen (not ēmetha we were). An epexegetical comment with for your sake (di' humās) added. It was all in their interest and for their advantage, however it may have seemed otherwise at the time. [source]
2 Timothy 2:6 Must be first partaker [δεῖ πρῶτον - μεταλαμβάνειν]
Better, Must be the first to partake. His is the first right to the fruits of his labor in the gospel. The writer seems to have in his eye 1 Corinthians 9:7, where there is a similar association of military service and farming to illustrate the principle that they who proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel. Μεταλαμβάνειν to partake, oP, and only here in Pastorals. Paul uses μετέχειν . See 1 Corinthians 9:10, 1 Corinthians 9:12; 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Corinthians 10:21, 1 Corinthians 10:30. [source]
2 Timothy 2:6 First [πρωτον]
As is natural and right. To partake (μεταλαμβανειν — metalambanein). Old word as in Acts 2:46 to share in. Paul elsewhere uses μετεχω — metechō as in 1 Corinthians 9:12. [source]
2 Timothy 2:6 To partake [μεταλαμβανειν]
Old word as in Acts 2:46 to share in. Paul elsewhere uses μετεχω — metechō as in 1 Corinthians 9:12. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 9:12 mean?

If others of the over you authority partake [should] not more we But not we did use the right this Instead all things we bear so that not any hindrance we should place to the gospel of Christ
εἰ ἄλλοι τῆς ὑμῶν ἐξουσίας μετέχουσιν οὐ μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς ἀλλ’ οὐκ ἐχρησάμεθα τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ ταύτῃ ἀλλὰ πάντα στέγομεν ἵνα μή τινα ἐνκοπὴν δῶμεν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ

ἄλλοι  others 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑμῶν  over  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ἐξουσίας  authority 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
μετέχουσιν  partake 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μετέχω  
Sense: to be or become partaker.
οὐ  [should]  not 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
μᾶλλον  more 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
ἐχρησάμεθα  we  did  use 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 1st Person Plural
Root: χράομαι  
Sense: to receive a loan.
ἐξουσίᾳ  right 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
ταύτῃ  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ἀλλὰ  Instead 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἀλλά  
Sense: but.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
στέγομεν  we  bear 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: στέγω  
Sense: deck, thatch, to cover.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
τινα  any 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
ἐνκοπὴν  hindrance 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐγκοπή 
Sense: a cutting (made in a road to impede an enemy in pursuit).
δῶμεν  we  should  place 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 1st Person Plural
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
τῷ  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εὐαγγελίῳ  gospel 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: εὐαγγέλιον  
Sense: a reward for good tidings.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.