1 Corinthians 9:10
New International Version
Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

New Living Translation
Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.

English Standard Version
Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.

Berean Standard Bible
Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

Berean Literal Bible
Or is He speaking because of us entirely? For it was written for us, because in hope the one plowing ought to plow, and the one threshing, in hope to partake.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.

New American Standard Bible
Or is He speaking entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing in the crops.

NASB 1995
Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.

NASB 1977
Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.

Legacy Standard Bible
Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.

Amplified Bible
Or does He speak entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake: The plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the harvest.

Christian Standard Bible
Isn’t he really saying it for our sake? Yes, this is written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing the crop.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop.

American Standard Version
or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But it is understood that he said it for our sake and for our sake it was written, because it is incumbent upon the plower to plow for hope, and whoever threshes, for the hope of a crop.

Contemporary English Version
No, he wasn't! He was talking about us. This was written in the Scriptures so that all who plow and all who grind the grain will look forward to sharing in the harvest.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are written for our sakes: that he that plougheth, should plough in hope; and he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit.

English Revised Version
or saith he it altogether for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isn't he speaking entirely for our benefit? This was written for our benefit so that the person who plows or threshes should expect to receive a share of the crop.

Good News Translation
Didn't he really mean us when he said that? Of course that was written for us. Anyone who plows and anyone who reaps should do their work in the hope of getting a share of the crop.

International Standard Version
Isn't he really speaking for our benefit? Yes, this was written for our benefit, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.

Literal Standard Version
Or by all means does He say [it] because of us? Yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading [ought] of his hope to partake in hope.

Majority Standard Bible
Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

New American Bible
or is he not really speaking for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope, and the thresher in hope of receiving a share.

NET Bible
Or is he not surely speaking for our benefit? It was written for us, because the one plowing and threshing ought to work in hope of enjoying the harvest.

New Revised Standard Version
Or does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was indeed written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope of a share in the crop.

New Heart English Bible
or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in the hope of having a share.

Webster's Bible Translation
Or saith he this 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.

Weymouth New Testament
Is God simply thinking about the oxen? Or is it really in our interest that He speaks? Of course, it was written in our interest, because it is His will that when a plough-man ploughs, and a thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing that which comes as the result.

World English Bible
or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.

Young's Literal Translation
or because of us by all means doth He say it? yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading ought of his hope to partake in hope.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rights of an Apostle
9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest. 11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?…

Cross References
Romans 4:23
Now the words "it was credited to him" were written not only for Abraham,

2 Timothy 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.


Treasury of Scripture

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

For.

Matthew 24:22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Romans 15:4
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

that ploweth.

1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Luke 17:7,8
But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? …

John 4:35-38
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest…

Jump to Previous
Altogether Assuredly Course Crop Crops Crushing Doubt Entirely Fruits Grain Harvest Hope Hoping Interest Mind Ought Oxen Part Partake Partaker Partaking Ploughing Ploughman Ploughs Plow Ploweth Plows Really Result Right Sake Sakes Share Sharing Simply Speak Speaking Speaks Surely Thinking Thresh Work Written
Jump to Next
Altogether Assuredly Course Crop Crops Crushing Doubt Entirely Fruits Grain Harvest Hope Hoping Interest Mind Ought Oxen Part Partake Partaker Partaking Ploughing Ploughman Ploughs Plow Ploweth Plows Really Result Right Sake Sakes Share Sharing Simply Speak Speaking Speaks Surely Thinking Thresh Work Written
1 Corinthians 9
1. He shows his liberty;
7. and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
15. yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
18. to be neither chargeable unto them,
22. nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.
24. Our life is like unto a race.














(10) That he that ploweth should plow in hope.--There is considerable variation in the MSS. here. The best rendering of the text is, that the plougher is bound to plough in hope, and the thresher (to thresh) in the hope of having his share. It has been much discussed whether this passage is to be taken literally as referring to actual ploughing and threshing, or whether we are to give them a spiritual significance. I think it is, perhaps, best to take them literally, as expressing the sanction given by God in the legal provision previously mentioned to the divine principle which unites earthly labour and reward; and the argument, of course, is that this principle applies a fortiori to the higher work of a spiritual nature; and this application is brought out clearly in the next verse.

Verse 10. - Altogether. It is probable that St. Paul only meant the word to be taken argumentatively, and not au pied de la lettre. This application (he says) is so obviously the right application, that the other may be set aside as far as our purpose is concerned. In the margin of the Revised Version it is rendered "Saith he it, as he doubtless doth, for our sake?" In hope. St. Paul's large experience of life, and his insight into character, sufficed to show him that despairing work must be ineffectual work. The spring and elasticity of cheerful spirits is indispensable to success in any arduous undertaking.

"Life without hope draws nectar in a sieve,
And hope without an object cannot live."


Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Isn’t
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

He actually speaking
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

on our behalf?
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

Indeed,
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

this was written
ἐγράφη (egraphē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

for
δι’ (di’)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

us,
ἡμᾶς (hēmas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

because
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

[when] the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

plowman
ἀροτριῶν (arotriōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 722: To plow. From arotron; to plow.

plows
ἀροτριᾶν (arotrian)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 722: To plow. From arotron; to plow.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

thresher [ threshes ],
ἀλοῶν (aloōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 248: To thresh (wheat). From the same as halon; to tread out grain.

[they] should
ὀφείλει (opheilei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3784: Or, its prolonged form opheileo probably from the base of ophelos; to owe; figuratively, to be under obligation; morally, to fail in duty.

[also] expect
ἐλπίδι (elpidi)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1680: Hope, expectation, trust, confidence. From a primary elpo; expectation or confidence.

to share in the harvest.
μετέχειν (metechein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 3348: From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat.


Links
1 Corinthians 9:10 NIV
1 Corinthians 9:10 NLT
1 Corinthians 9:10 ESV
1 Corinthians 9:10 NASB
1 Corinthians 9:10 KJV

1 Corinthians 9:10 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 9:10 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 9:10 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 9:10 French Bible
1 Corinthians 9:10 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:10 Or does he say it assuredly (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 9:9
Top of Page
Top of Page