Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. New Living Translation Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. English Standard Version If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Berean Standard Bible Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Berean Literal Bible If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. King James Bible If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. New King James Version If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. New American Standard Bible If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. NASB 1995 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. NASB 1977 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Legacy Standard Bible If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Amplified Bible If I am not [considered] an apostle to others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal and the certificate and the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it]. Christian Standard Bible If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Holman Christian Standard Bible If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. American Standard Version If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Contemporary English Version Others may think that I am not an apostle, but you are proof that I am an apostle to you. English Revised Version If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. GOD'S WORD® Translation If I'm not an apostle to other people, at least I'm an apostle to you. You are the seal which proves that I am the Lord's apostle. Good News Translation Even if others do not accept me as an apostle, surely you do! Because of your life in union with the Lord you yourselves are proof of the fact that I am an apostle. International Standard Version If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the evidence of my apostolic authority from the Lord. Majority Standard Bible Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. NET Bible If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord. New Heart English Bible If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my office of apostle in the Lord. Webster's Bible Translation If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Weymouth New Testament If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of my Apostleship. World English Bible If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf I am not an apostle to others—yet doubtless I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the LORD. Berean Literal Bible If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Young's Literal Translation if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord. Smith's Literal Translation If to others I am not sent, but surely I am to you: for the seal of my sending are ye in the Lord. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you I am. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version And if I am not an Apostle to others, yet still I am to you. For you are the seal of my Apostleship in the Lord. New American Bible Although I may not be an apostle for others, certainly I am for you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. New Revised Standard Version If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf I am not an apostle to others, yet to you I am: for you are the seal of my apostleship. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And if, on one hand, I have not been an Apostle to others, on the other hand I am to you, and you are the seal of my Apostleship. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf I am not an apostle to others, yet certainly I am to you; for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord. Godbey New Testament If I am not an apostle to others, but I am to you at least: for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Haweis New Testament If I am not an apostle unto others, doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostolic mission in the Lord. Mace New Testament if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship. Weymouth New Testament If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of my Apostleship. Worrell New Testament If to others I am not an apostle, yet to you at least I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord. Worsley New Testament If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are in the Lord the seal of my apostleship. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Rights of an Apostle1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? 2Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:… Cross References Acts 18:1-11 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. / There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, / and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. ... 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone. / It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Galatians 2:8 For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 4:15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 2 Corinthians 12:12 The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance. Romans 1:5 Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? / You are indeed our glory and our joy. 2 Corinthians 11:5 I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.” Ephesians 3:7-8 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Philippians 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me. 1 Timothy 2:7 For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything. 2 Timothy 1:11 to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. Acts 9:15 “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. Romans 15:18-19 I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” Treasury of Scripture If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord. for. John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? … 2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. Jump to Previous Apostle Apostleship Christian Christians Church Doubtless Existence Fact Least Others Rate Seal SurelyJump to Next Apostle Apostleship Christian Christians Church Doubtless Existence Fact Least Others Rate Seal Surely1 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. Even if I am not an apostle to others Paul begins by acknowledging that some may question his apostleship. In the early church, apostles were those who had seen the risen Christ and were sent out to preach the Gospel. Paul’s apostleship was often challenged because he was not one of the original twelve disciples. However, he had a direct encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6), which he cites as the basis for his apostolic authority. This phrase highlights the tension between Paul and some members of the Corinthian church who doubted his authority, reflecting the broader challenges he faced in establishing his role among the early Christians. surely I am to you For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, defending his apostleship and authority. 2. Corinthian Church The recipients of the letter, a diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its moral and spiritual challenges. 3. Apostleship The role and authority given to Paul by Christ to preach the Gospel, particularly to the Gentiles. 4. The Lord (Jesus Christ) The one who commissioned Paul as an apostle and whose authority Paul invokes in his defense. 5. Seal A metaphor used by Paul to describe the Corinthian believers as the evidence or validation of his apostolic ministry. Teaching Points Validation of MinistryPaul uses the Corinthian believers as a "seal" to validate his apostleship. In our lives, the fruit of our ministry and the impact on others can serve as evidence of our calling and faithfulness to God's work. Identity in Christ Just as Paul found his identity and authority in Christ, believers today should root their identity in their relationship with Jesus, rather than in human approval or recognition. Defending the Faith Paul’s defense of his apostleship teaches us the importance of standing firm in our faith and calling, especially when faced with doubt or opposition. Spiritual Fruit as Evidence The transformation and growth in the lives of those we minister to can serve as a testament to the authenticity of our faith and the power of the Gospel. Community as a Witness The church community, like the Corinthians, serves as a witness to the world of the truth and power of the Gospel. Our lives together should reflect the reality of Christ’s work in us.(2) If I be not an apostle unto others.--The allusion here is probably to some who may have arrived at Corinth subsequent to St. Paul's departure, and who, not recognising his Apostleship in relation to themselves, stirred up some of the Corinthians to repudiate it also. So the Apostle says, "Even if I am not an Apostle to these others, I am, at all events, to you; for you are yourselves the very proof and witness--the seal affixed to my appointment to the Apostolate." The repetition of the words "in the Lord" in both these verses expresses the strong conviction, which is characteristic of the Apostle, that the source of all power and of all success is Christ Himself.Verse 2. - Unto others. If the emissaries from Jerusalem or the Petrine party do not choose to regard me as their apostle or an apostle at all, yet at any rate I am yours. Doubtless; rather, at least, at any rate. The seal of mine apostleship. Your conversion attests the genuineness of my claim, as a seal attests a document. Thus baptism is the seal of conversion (Ephesians 4:30; comp. Romans 4:11; John 3:33). Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Even ifεἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. I am εἰμὶ (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. not οὐκ (ouk) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. an apostle ἀπόστολος (apostolos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ. to others, ἄλλοις (allois) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different. surely γε (ge) Particle Strong's 1065: A primary particle of emphasis or qualification. I am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. to you. ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. seal σφραγίς (sphragis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4973: Probably strengthened from phrasso; a signet; by implication, the stamp impressed, literally or figuratively. of my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. apostleship ἀποστολῆς (apostolēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 651: Commission, duty of apostle, apostleship. From apostello; commission, i.e. apostolate. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] Lord. Κυρίῳ (Kyriō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. Links 1 Corinthians 9:2 NIV1 Corinthians 9:2 NLT 1 Corinthians 9:2 ESV 1 Corinthians 9:2 NASB 1 Corinthians 9:2 KJV 1 Corinthians 9:2 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 9:2 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 9:2 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 9:2 French Bible 1 Corinthians 9:2 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:2 If to others I am not (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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