The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:8 Explained

1 Corinthians 9:8

KJV: Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

YLT: According to man do I speak these things? or doth not also the law say these things?

Darby: Do I speak these things as a man, or does not the law also say these things?

ASV: Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Say I  these things  as  a man?  or  saith  not  the law  the same  also? 

What does 1 Corinthians 9:8 Mean?

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 9:8

Do I speak these things after the manner of men? [Μη κατα αντρωπον ταυτα λαλω]
Negative answer expected. Paul uses κατα αντρωπον — kata anthrōpon six times (1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Galatians 1:11; Galatians 3:15; Romans 3:5). The illustrations from human life are pertinent, but he has some of a higher order, from Scripture. [source]
The law also [και ο νομος]
Perhaps objection was made that the Scripture does not support the practice of paying preachers. That objection is still made by the stingy. [source]
As a man [κατὰ ἄνθρωπον]
Rev., after the manner of men. See on Romans 3:5. The formula occurs six times in Paul's epistles. The question introduces another kind of evidence - that from Scripture. I will not confine myself to illustrations from human affairs. I will appeal to Scripture. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 9:8

Romans 3:5 As a man [κατὰ ἄνθρωπον]
Rev., after the manner of men; i.e., I use a mode of speech drawn from human affairs. The phrase is thrown in apologetically, under a sense that the mode of speech is unworthy of the subject. Morison aptly paraphrases: “When I ask the question, 'Is God unjust who inflicteth wrath?' I am deeply conscious that I am using language which is intrinsically improper when applied to God. But in condescension to human weakness I transfer to Him language which it is customary for men to employ when referring to human relationships.” Compare 1 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 6:19. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:7 At his own charges [ιδιοις οπσωνιοις]
This late word οπσωνιον — opsōnion (from οπσον — opson cooked meat or relish with bread, and ωνεομαι — ōneomai to buy) found in Menander, Polybius, and very common in papyri and inscriptions in the sense of rations or food, then for the soldiers‘ wages (often provisions) or the pay of any workman. So of the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Paul uses λαβων οπσωνιον — labōn opsōnion (receiving wages, the regular idiom) in 2 Corinthians 11:8. See Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary; Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 148, 266; Light from the Ancient East, p. 168. To give proof of his right to receive pay for preaching Paul uses the illustrations of the soldier (1 Corinthians 9:7), the husbandman (1 Corinthians 9:7), the shepherd (1 Corinthians 9:7), the ox treading out the grain (1 Corinthians 9:8), the ploughman (1 Corinthians 9:10), the priests in the temple (1 Corinthians 9:13), proof enough in all conscience, and yet not enough for some churches who even today starve their pastors in the name of piety. Who planteth a vineyard? (τις πυτευει αμπελωνα — tis phuteuei ampelōna̱). Αμπελων — Ampelōn no earlier than Diodorus, but in lxx and in papyri. Place of vines (αμπελος — ampelos), meaning of ending ων — ̇ōn Who feedeth a flock? Cognate accusative, both old words. Paul likens the pastor to a soldier, vinedresser, shepherd. He contends with the world, he plants churches, he exercises a shepherd‘s care over them (Vincent). [source]
1 Corinthians 9:8 Do I speak these things after the manner of men? [Μη κατα αντρωπον ταυτα λαλω]
Negative answer expected. Paul uses κατα αντρωπον — kata anthrōpon six times (1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Galatians 1:11; Galatians 3:15; Romans 3:5). The illustrations from human life are pertinent, but he has some of a higher order, from Scripture. [source]
Galatians 3:15 After the manner of men [κατὰ ἄνθρωπον]
According to human analogy; reasoning as men would reason in ordinary affairs. The phrase is peculiar to Paul. See Romans 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Galatians 1:11. Comp. ἀνθρώπινος asa man, Romans 6:19. [source]
Galatians 1:11 After man [κατὰ ἄνθρωπον]
According to any human standard. The phrase only in Paul. See Romans 3:5; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Corinthians 15:32. Κατὰ ἀνθρώπους accordingto men, 1 Peter 4:6. [source]
Galatians 1:11 It is not after man [ουκ εστιν κατα αντρωπον]
Not after a human standard and so he does not try to conform to the human ideal. Paul alone (1 Corinthians 3:3; 1 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Corinthians 15:32; Romans 3:15) in the N.T. uses this old and common idiom. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 9:8 mean?

Not according to man these things do I speak Or also the law not says
Μὴ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ταῦτα λαλῶ καὶ νόμος οὐ λέγει

κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἄνθρωπον  man 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ταῦτα  these  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
λαλῶ  do  I  speak 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
νόμος  law 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: νόμος  
Sense: anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.
λέγει  says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.