01. Reap What You Sow (1 Corinthians 9:11)
• have sown is σπείρω (ĕirō), meaning to *scatter seed*.
• spiritual things is πνευματικός (ĕumatikŏs), from πνεῦμα (ĕuma), means breath or spirit, thus it means those things concerning the Spirit.
• shall reap is θερίζω (ĕrizō) from éros, summer, harvest time, thus it means to do the work of summer, to reap and gather in the harvest, and here it is used figuratively.
• carnal things is σαρκικός (ŏs) from G4561 árx, flesh.
02. Hinder Not the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:12)
• be partakers of is μετέχω (ĕtĕchō) means *to share, have an association with*.
• power is ἐξουσία (ĕxŏusia) *is the authority to dispense your power* (cf. 1 Cor 8:9).
• 1 Corinthians 4:14--15; 1 Corinthians 9:2-4
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• suffer** is στέγω (ĕgō) *to bear, endure* (1 Corinthians 13:7).
• we should hinder is ἐγκοπή (ĕgkŏpē), *carries with it the idea of digging a trench to hinder an enemy*, from en, in and óptō, to strike down. Only found here in the Greek Scriptures.
• gospel is εὐαγγέλιον (ĕuaggĕliŏn) originally meant a reward for good news, later good news.
• Paul writes that sometimes it is expedient as a minister to not receive a salary, or to receive a minimal amount so that he does not hinder the gospel of Christ. And as the church grows, the missionary or pastor has every right to start to receive a salary.
03. Reward for Labor (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
• 1 Corinthians 9:13 know is εἴδω (ĕidō), found 30x in 28vss in 1 Corinthians. This is usually translated as *to see* throughout the Greek Scriptures, but its translated as to know 25x (1 Corinthians 1:16; 2:2; 2:11 (2x); 2:12; 3:16; 5:6; 6:2-3; 6:9; 6:15-16; 6:19; 7:16 (2x); 8:1-2; 8:4; 9:13; 9:24; 11:3; 12:2; 14:11; 15:58; 16:15), to see 3x as (1 Corinthians 2:9; 8:10; 16:7) and to understand 2x (1 Corinthians 13:2; 14:6). This Greek verb is subjective and insinuates the fullness of knowledge, a mental concentration, or focus.
• which minister about is ἐργάζομαι (ĕrgazŏmai) meaning to work and to labor (1 Cor9:6).
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• OED: A person acting under the authority of another; one who carries out executive duties as the agent or representative of a superior.
• Paul mentions his labor and how he worked so as not to be a burden to various assemblies (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:11--12; Acts 18:3; Acts 20:34--35; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7--9).
• holy things** ἱερός (ĕrŏs), meaning sacred, holy, is found twice in Scripture (2 Timothy 3:15).
**
• live **of the things is ἐσθίω (ĕsthiō), meaning *to eat and consume food* (Deuteronomy 18:1).
• 2 Greek words are translated as a temple: ναός (ŏs), which refers to the actual Temple building, including the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies, where the presence of God was (Ex 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10--11; 2 Ch 5:13; 7:2; Ezekiel 10:18; 43:4--7; Revelation 15:8); and ἱερόν (ĕrŏn), which means all of the Temple complex, including the courts surrounding the Temple.
The Greek word that Paul used here is ἱερόν (ĕrŏn),* *the whole of the Temple complex.
**
• and they which wait** is προσεδρεύω (ŏsĕdrĕuō), from ós, to, and hédra, a seat, and it means literally to wait near, ready to attend and serve. Here it is used to refer to those who were working in the temple. Found only here in the Greek Scriptures.
• at the altar is θυσιαστήριον (ēriŏn), speaking of the altar in the Temple that is used for the sacrifices.
• are partakers with is συμμερίζομαι (ĕrizŏmai), from ún, *together with*, and ízō, to divide, means to divide and share with someone. Found only here in the Greek Scriptures.
• Paul again uses an illustration from the Hebrew Scriptures. The Levitical Priests lived off the offerings of the people and ate from the meat that was brought in for sacrifice (Leviticus 6:16--18; Leviticus 6:26; Leviticus 7:6--8; Numbers 5:9--10; Numbers 18:8--20; 1 Samuel 2:28).
• 1 Corinthians 9:14 ordained is διατάσσω (ō), from á, *through* and ássō, to arrange in an organized fashion, which is a strong statement by Paul (1 Corinthians 11:34).
• OED: To put in order, arrange, or prepare. 1. transitive esp. to draw up in order of battle; to set in array; to array, marshal, order.
**• We see this first set up for the apostles by Jesus (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7), and now in this Age of Grace (1 Corinthians 9:4-6; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).
• they which preach** is καταγγέλλω (ĕllō), means to bring the word down upon the hearers, to announce with emphasis (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:1).
• Thus, Paul sums it all up by stating that those who labor in the preaching of the gospel should make their living from it (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6--8).
