Plowing and Threshing in Hope 1 Corinthians 9:10

Paul the apostle referred to the law of Moses where it says, “you shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn” as he referred to ministers being compensated, and in chapter nine and verse ten of First Corinthians, Paul asked the Corinthians whether he “plows should plow in hope; and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope” where we read:

Or says 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.

The verse begins, “Or says he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:” Paul began with the words, “Or says he” which means “or does God through the law utter, declare and proclaim” “it altogether” or “the law in any and every way, by all means, doubtless, surely and certainly” “for our sakes” or “for Paul and the church members' reason and account”? “For our sakes” which refers to “Paul and the church member's reason and account”, “no doubt” or “even, for, indeed, seeing then, verily and therefore”, “this is written” which means “the law was expressed in written characters and those things which stand written in the sacred books”. Paul rhetorically asked whether the church members thought God wrote “the law” for them concerning wages for hire.

The verse goes on to say, “that he that plows should plow in hope; and that he that threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.” Paul continued with the words, “that he that plows” or “the certain one who plows a field” “should plow” which means “is owed, in debt and due to plow a field” “in hope” which means “expectation of good”; “and that he that” or “the certain person who” “threshes” which means “treads out the corn or grain” “in hope” or “with expectation of good” “should be partaker” which means “is owed, in debt, and due to be one who participate or takes part” “of his hope” which means “expectation of good”. The person who “plows a field” does so because they will participate in the harvest, and the person who “treads out a field” does so because they will “take part” in the harvest as well.

When we meditate upon these words from Paul, we realize God inspired Moses to write “the law” concerning remuneration for those who “plow” and “thresh” in the fields. They do so “in hope” of participating in the harvest, and those who are in ministry of the “gospel of Jesus Christ” do so as well. Those who minister “spiritual” things should “reap” of the “carnal” things which give sustenance of life. Both those who “sow” and those who “reap” in the Kingdom of God should do so “in hope” of receiving for their efforts, and God will be the one who disperses them.

Next time Paul asks the Corinthian church members concerning, “if we have sown unto you spiritual things”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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