1 Corinthians 9:6

King James Version (KJV)

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

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Or I only and Barnabas - Have we alone of all the apostles no right to be supported by our converts? It appears from this,

That the apostles did not generally support themselves by their own labor.

That Paul and Barnabas did thus support themselves.

Some of the others probably had not a business at which they could conveniently work; but Paul and Barnabas had a trade at which they could conveniently labor wherever they came.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Or I only and Barnabas - Paul and Barnabas had worked together as tent-makers at Corinth; Acts 18:3. From this fact it had been inferred that they “knew” that they had no claim to a support.

Power to forbear working - To abstain from labor, and to receive support as others do. The question implies a strong affirmation that they had such power. The sense is, ‹Why should I and Barnabas be regarded as having no right to support? Have we been less faithful than others? Have we done less? Have we given fewer evidences that we are sent by the Lord, or that God approves us in our work? Have we been less successful? Why then should we be singled out; and why should it be supposed that we are obliged to labor for our support? “Is there no other conceivable reason” why we should support ourselves than a consciousness that we have no right to support from the people with whom we labor?” It is evident from 1 Corinthians 9:12, that Barnabas as well as Paul relinquished his right to a support, and labored to maintain himself. And it is manifest from the whole passage, that there was some special “spleen” (“Doddridge”) against these two ministers of the gospel. What it was we know not. It might have arisen from the enmity and opposition of Judaizing teachers, who were offended at their zeal and success among the Gentiles, and who could find no other cause of complaint against them than that they chose to support themselves, and not live in idleness, or to tax the church for their support. That must have been a bad cause which was sustained by such an argument.

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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

6. Barnabas. Barnabas was a landowner of the island of Cyprus, who united with the church in Jerusalem, sharing his wealth with the poorer believers (Acts 4:36, 37). Later he was sent to look after the growing interests in Antioch (Acts 11:22). Feeling the need of additional help, he secured the services of Paul (Acts 11:25, 26). Later he joined Paul on his First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-4). After that journey their partnership in the work was suspended when they disagreed over the question of taking John Mark with them on the second journey (see Acts 15:36-39). This is the first mention by Paul of Barnabas since their separation several years before this epistle to the Corinthians was written.

Power to forbear working. The form of the question in Greek suggests a strong affirmation that Paul and Barnabas had such power, or right, to refrain from working for their own support if they chose so to do. After his conversion Paul had but one desire in life, to witness for Christ and persuade men to accept Him as their Saviour (see 1 Cor. 9:16; 2 Cor. 5:11; Phil. 3:13, 14). He was constantly on the alert to avoid anything that might serve to prevent men from believing his message (see Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1; 14:16, 19-21; 1 Cor. 8:13; 9:22, 23). The heathen people were suspicious of strangers who came among them, so the apostle determined not to give them cause to accuse him of coming among them as a religious teacher in order to obtain his support from them.

Paul’s missionary footsteps seem to have been dogged by some persons who were continually trying to give him trouble, destroy his authority, and hinder his work (see Acts 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 17:5; Gal. 2:4; 3:1; 5:12). These individuals were, in part, Jewish Christian teachers who believed that the law of Moses was binding upon Christians, and who tried to press their doctrine on the churches established by Paul and Barnabas, thus raising doubts regarding Paul. Apparently unable to find any real ground for complaint against him, they represented his refusal to accept his support from the Corinthian believers as evidence that he was not a true apostle of Christ. See on 2 Cor. 11:22.

The gospel minister, wherever he works, must be on guard at all times against the danger of doing or saying anything that might prove to be a cause of offense to those for whom he is working. This requires a willingness to abandon one’s legitimate rights and privileges, if need be, for the good of others.

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 66

So it is with many among our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who have followed their own understanding. What a great relief it would be to such could they quiet their conscience with the belief that my work is not of God. But your unbelief will not change the facts in the case. You are defective in character, in moral and religious experience. Close your eyes to the fact if you will, but this does not make you one particle more perfect. The only remedy is to wash in the blood of the Lamb. 5T 66.1

If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God's people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. You have their history. You know how stubborn they were in their own opinions. They decided that their judgment was better than that of Moses and that Moses was doing great injury to Israel. Those who united with them were so set in their opinions that, notwithstanding the judgments of God in a marked manner destroyed the leaders and the princes, the next morning the survivors came to Moses and said: “Ye have killed the people of the Lord.” We see what fearful deception will come upon the human mind. How hard it is to convince souls that have become imbued with a spirit which is not of God. As Christ's ambassador, I would say to you: Be careful what positions you take. This is God's work, and you must render to Him an account for the manner in which you treat His message. 5T 66.2

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 346

While Paul was careful to set before his converts the plain teaching of Scripture regarding the proper support of the work of God, and while he claimed for himself as a minister of the gospel the “power to forbear working” (1 Corinthians 9:6) at secular employment as a means of self-support, yet at various times during his ministry in the great centers of civilization he wrought at a handicraft for his own maintenance. AA 346.1

Among the Jews physical toil was not thought strange or degrading. Through Moses the Hebrews had been instructed to train their children to industrious habits, and it was regarded as a sin to allow the youth to grow up in ignorance of physical labor. Even though a child was to be educated for holy office, a knowledge of practical life was thought essential. Every youth, whether his parents were rich or poor, was taught some trade. Those parents who neglected to provide such a training for their children were looked upon as departing from the instruction of the Lord. In accordance with this custom, Paul had early learned the trade of tentmaking. AA 346.2

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Ellen G. White
Reflecting Christ, 319.3

God will not give His Spirit to those who make no use of the heavenly gift. But those who are drawn out of and away from themselves, seeking to enlighten, encourage, and bless others, will have increased ability and energy to expend. The more light they give, the more they receive.—The Southern Watchman, October 31, 1905. RC 319.3

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Cross References

Barnabas