Worthy of Remuneration 1 Corinthians 9:7

Within a series of questions to the Corinthian church members, Paul asked if he “only and Barnabas” did not have “power to forbear working?”, and in chapter nine and verse seven of First Corinthians, Paul asked the Corinthians, “who goes to war, plants a vineyard or feeds a flock” without remuneration where we read:

Who goes a warfare any time at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?

The verse begins, “Who goes a warfare any time at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof?” Paul began with the words, “Who” which means “what person” “goes a warfare” or “makes a military expedition, lead soldiers to war or battle, to be a soldier or fight” “any time at” or “once, formerly, aforetime or at some time” “his own” which means “the one certain one's” “charges” or “soldier's pay, wages, hire or allowance”? “Who” or “what person” “plants” which means “sets out in the earth, instils or implants” “a vineyard” or “a vinery with vines of grapes”, “and eats not” which means “does not consume or devour” “of the fruit” or “the fruit or grapes” “thereof” which means “within the vineyard”. Paul asked the question concerning those who “go to war as soldiers” or “plants a vineyard” and does not receive remuneration for their efforts.

The verse goes on to say, “... or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?”. Paul continued with the words, “or who feeds” or “what person tends to, keeps and furnishes pasture for food to” “a flock” which means “a fold of animals”, “and eats not” which means “and does not consume or devour” “of the milk” or “the milk of the animals” “of the flock” which refers to “a fold of animals”. Paul added the example of those who “watched over” “flocks” of animals who received the remuneration of their “milk”.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we understand how he desired for the church members to realize how each person he mentioned who “works” receives “wages” for their efforts. Soldiers, vine keepers and shepherds receive from that which they watch over. Those who share the “gospel of Jesus Christ” and are in “ministry” are to receive remuneration as well, and although Paul has not received anything from the church in Corinth, he had the right to do so. Jesus provides for His church, and through the Holy Spirit, we shall continue to learn the importance of those who are “worthy of remuneration”.

Next time Paul tells the Corinthians, “say I these things as a man” or does “the law” say “the same also”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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