Epiphany Season · Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year B

1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

The Rights of an Apostle

February 7, 2027

St Paul Preaching at Athens, Raphael — **St Paul Preaching at Athens**, Raphael, c. 1515-16Royal Collection, on long-term loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Roman Lectionary

GospelMark 1:29-39Mk 1:29-39

Second Reading1 Cor. 9:16-19, 22-231 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

First ReadingJob 7:1-4, 6-7Jb 7:1-4, 6-7

Responsorial PsalmPs. 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (cf. 3a)Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (cf. 3a)

Overview & Insights

“I do it all for the sake of the gospel... So run that you may obtain the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:23-24)

The transition from chapter 8 seems quite abrupt. Is Paul taking a ninety-degree turn from a question about participation in Corinthian parties (eating meat) to his rights as an apostle to receive monetary compensation for his work as an evangelist? Probably not! The thread that binds the two sections together is personal rights (exousia; e.g., 8:9 and 9:4–6). Paul continues his discussion of rights by underscoring that he himself has every right to command and require just about anything from the Corinthians. He is an apostle, uniquely called by Christ, and he is the agent Christ has used for their salvation. If they want to speak of rights, he is their spiritual patron, and they are his spiritual clients (9:2; cf. Philem. 19b). They owe him! Interpretive Insights 9:1 Am I not free? Picking up the claim of the “strong” from chapter 8, Paul states that if that is true of them, it is even more true of him (2 Cor. 11:23).

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:16-23Commentary on 1 Cor 9:16-23 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on Paul's compulsion to preach and becoming all things to all people.

1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Commentary1 Cor 9:16-23 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary on Paul's freedom given up for the sake of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9 Commentary: The Rights of an Apostle1 Cor 9 Commentary: The Rights of an Apostle Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik on Paul surrendering his apostolic rights to win more to Christ.

1 Corinthians Commentaries1 Cor Commentaries Precept Austin

Verse-by-verse study library with word studies and cross-references on 1 Corinthians.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Agape Bible Study

Catholic study of Paul's all things to all people as this Sunday's second reading (Catholic).

Background & Word Study

Book of 1 Corinthians OverviewBook of 1 Cor Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of 1 Corinthians and Paul's call to unity in Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:16 Interlinear1 Cor 9:16 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word-by-word text of 1 Corinthians 9:16 with parsing and Strong's numbers.

The Church Fathers

Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 9 (Catena)Church Fathers on 1 Cor 9 (Catena) Catena

Verse-linked patristic commentary on 1 Corinthians 9.

Questions preachers ask

Why does Paul give up his rights?

Free from all, Paul makes himself a servant of all, becoming all things to all people to win some; like an athlete he disciplines himself and runs to win the imperishable prize.

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