King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 9:7 Mean?

1 Corinthians 9:7 in the King James Version says “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who fe... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

1 Corinthians 9:7 · KJV


Context

5

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? wife: or, woman

6

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7

Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

8

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

9

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Paul shifts from personal example to universal analogy, using three illustrations from everyday life: soldiers, farmers, and shepherds. No soldier funds his own military campaign—commanders provide supplies. The Greek opsōnion (ὀψώνιον, "wages, rations") originally meant soldiers' pay, then broadened to any compensation for service.

Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Farmers eat from their harvest; shepherds drink from their flocks. These are not illustrations of greed but of natural justice: laborers deserve sustenance from their work. Paul's logic moves from human reason (v. 7-8) to Old Testament law (v. 9-10) to gospel ordinance (v. 14). The principle is cumulative: common sense, Scripture, and Christ all affirm that gospel workers deserve material support.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman soldiers received regular pay (stipendium) plus rations and spoils of war. Vineyards required years of cultivation before yielding fruit—no farmer would plant without expecting a return. Shepherds lived off their flocks' milk, wool, and occasional meat. These were universally understood economic realities in the agrarian Mediterranean world. Paul's analogies would have been instantly recognizable to his audience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these three analogies (soldier, farmer, shepherd) ground ministerial support in creation's order?
  2. Why does Paul argue from nature and reason before appealing to Scripture (v. 9)?
  3. What is the difference between deserving support and demanding it?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
τίς1 of 27

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

στρατεύεται2 of 27

goeth a warfare

G4754

to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations

ἰδίοις3 of 27

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

ὀψωνίοις4 of 27

charges

G3800

rations for a soldier, i.e., (by extension) his stipend or pay

ποτέ5 of 27

any time at

G4218

indefinite adverb, at some time, ever

τίς6 of 27

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

φυτεύει7 of 27

planteth

G5452

to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine

ἀμπελῶνα8 of 27

a vineyard

G290

a vineyard

καὶ9 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκ10 of 27

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ11 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρποῦ12 of 27

the fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

αὐτοῦ13 of 27

thereof

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐκ14 of 27

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐσθίει15 of 27

eateth

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

16 of 27

or

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τίς17 of 27

Who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ποιμαίνει18 of 27

feedeth

G4165

to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)

ποίμνης19 of 27

a flock

G4167

a flock (literally or figuratively)

καὶ20 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκ21 of 27

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ22 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γάλακτος23 of 27

the milk

G1051

milk (figuratively)

τῆς24 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποίμνης25 of 27

a flock

G4167

a flock (literally or figuratively)

οὐκ26 of 27

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐσθίει27 of 27

eateth

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 9:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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