1 Corinthians 9:10

King James Version (KJV)

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope - Instead of ὁ αλοων της ελπιδος αυτου μετεχειν, επ ' ελπιδι, many of the best MSS. and versions read the passage thus: ὁ αλοων επ ' ελπιδι του μετεχειν· And he who thresheth in hope of partaking. "The words της ελπιδος, which are omitted by the above, are," says Bp. Pearce, "superfluous, if not wrong; for men do not live in hope to partake of their hope, but to partake of what was the object and end of their hope. When these words are left out, the former and latter sentence will be both of a piece, and more resembling each other: for μετεχειν may be understood after the first επ 'ελπιδι, as well as after the last." Griesbach has left the words in question out of the text.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? - The word “altogether” ( πάντως pantōs) cannot mean that this was the “sole” and “only” design of the law, to teach that ministers of the gospel were entitled to support; for:

(1) This would be directly contrary to the law itself, which had some direct and undoubted reference to oxen;

(2) The scope of the argument here does not require this interpretation, since the whole object will be met by supposing that this settled a “principle” of humanity and equity in the divine law, according to which it was “proper” that ministers should have a support; and,

(3) The word “altogether” ( πάντως pantōs) does not of necessity require this interpretation. It may be rendered “chiefly, mainly, principally, or doubtless;” Luke 4:23, “Ye will ‹surely‘ ( πάντως pantōscertainly, surely, doubtless) say unto me this proverb,” etc.; Acts 18:21, “I must ‹by all means‘ ( πάντως pantōscertainly, surely) keep this feast; Acts 21:22, “The multitude ‹must needs‘ ( πάντως pantōswill certainly, surely, inevitably) come together,” etc.; Acts 28:4, “‹No doubt‘ ( πάντως pantōs) this man is a murderer,” etc. The word here, therefore, means that the “principle” stated in the law about the oxen was so broad and humane, that it might “certainly, surely, particularly” be regarded as applicable to the case under consideration. An important and material argument might be drawn from it; an argument from the less to the greater. The precept enjoined justice, equity, humanity; and that was more applicable to the case of the ministers of the gospel than to the case of oxen.

For our sakes … - To show that the laws and requirements of God are humane, kind, and equitable; not that Moses had Paul or any other minister in his eye, but the “principle” was one that applied particularly to this case.

That he that ploweth … - The Greek in this place would be more literally and more properly rendered, “For ( ὅτι hoti) he that ploweth ought ( ὀφείλει opheilei) to plow in hope;” that is, in hope of reaping a harvest, or of obtaining success in his labors; and the sense is, “The man who cultivates the earth, in order that he may be excited to industry and diligence, ought to have a reasonable prospect that he shall himself be permitted to enjoy the fruit of his labors. This is the case with those who do plow; and if this should be the case with those who cultivate the earth, it is as certainly reasonable that those who labor in God‘s husbandry, and who devote their strength to his service, should be encouraged with a reasonable prospect of success and support.”

And that he that thresheth … - This sentence, in the Greek, is very elliptical and obscure; but the sense is, evidently, “He that thresheth ‹ought‘ to partake of his hope;” that is, of the fruits of his hope, or of the result of his labor. It is fair and right that he should enjoy the fruits of his toil. So in God‘s husbandry; it is right and proper that they who toil for the advancement of his cause should be supported and rewarded.” The same sentiment is expressed in 2 Timothy 2:6, “The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits.”

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to set forth himself as an example of self-denial, for the good of others. He had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and to claim what was needful for his wife, and his children if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have food provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than hinder his success by claiming it. It is the people's duty to maintain their minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due support.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

10. Altogether. Gr. pant?s, “certainly,” “assuredly,” “at all events,” “without a doubt.” However, Paul does not deny the literal application of the law (see on v. 9). He is simply making such a wide application of the principle that in comparison with the extent of the application the literal interpretation is, as it were, insignificant.

Our sakes. Paul now makes definite application of this law to those who are called by God to proclaim the gospel. It might be asked, in what sense was this regulation given for the sake of the ministry? The reply shows that it is God’s plan that all who honestly toil may rightfully hope for reward. Not that the reward is the great objective in the case of the gospel worker; he preaches because, like Paul, he cannot do otherwise (see v. 16). But the Lord demonstrates His kind consideration for His workers. Although the true minister of the gospel is under deep compulsion to labor for the salvation of his fellow men, he is not expected to do so without hope of compensation, in the form of both material support and future joy (see Jer. 20:9; 2 Cor. 1:14; 1 Thess. 2:19, 20).

Plow in hope. He who engages in tilling the soil should be inspired to put forth his utmost efforts. In order to accomplish this, he ought to have the justifiable hope and expectation that his industry and diligence will be crowned with success. He should labor with the confident assurance that he will be permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labors. One who is obliged to work without this inspiring hope is greatly handicapped and is not likely to be able to put forth his maximum effort. How can one who has no assurance of receiving an adequate compensation manifest great interest in his labor? How can he be expected to devote himself unselfishly and untiringly to the task committed to him? How can his mind be free from anxiety as he considers the needs of his family? If such is the case with him who is engaged in the work of the world, is it not also true of him who labors in the Lord’s vineyard?

Partaker of his hope. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “in hope of sharing.” God, in the plan of salvation, uses many instrumentalities for the accomplishment of His purposes. As in agriculture one man may prepare the soil and another reap the harvest, so in the great work of winning souls for the kingdom of God, the Holy Spirit may use one person to sow the gospel seed in the heart of a seeker after truth, and another to lead that person through the water of baptism into the church (see ch. 3:6, 7). Whatever part a worker may have in the conversion of a soul to Christ, he will share in the reward with all others whom the Lord has used in drawing that one to Himself (see Matt. 20:8-10; John 4:36-38; 1 Cor. 3:8, 14). Similarly, the worker who sows the seed of truth is entitled to material support as truly as the worker who at a later date has the privilege of establishing a church composed of those who were introduced to the gospel by the first laborer (see 2 Tim. 2:6).

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

In remembrance of me. It is essential that the great fact of Calvary, with all its implications, be never absent from the thinking of all who value eternal life. The study of the science of salvation will occupy the attention of the redeemed throughout eternity. True Christians will desire to give much consideration to this exhaustless theme while waiting for their Lord to come again (see Ed 126; DA 659).

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

10. Altogether. Gr. pantÃ…Âs, “certainly,” “assuredly,” “at all events,” “without a doubt.” However, Paul does not deny the literal application of the law (see on v. 9). He is simply making such a wide application of the principle that in comparison with the extent of the application the literal interpretation is, as it were, insignificant.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 335-6

In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul gave the believers instruction regarding the general principles underlying the support of God's work in the earth. Writing of his apostolic labors in their behalf, he inquired: AA 335.1

“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? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 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? or saith He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. AA 335.2

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