Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:11

"If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" — 1 Corinthians 9:11 (ASV)

If we have sown unto you spiritual things.—The two sentences in this verse contain a striking double antithesis, with “we” and “you” being emphatic, and “spiritual” being opposed to “carnal.” The spiritual things are, of course, the things of the Spirit of God, by which their spiritual natures are sustained; the carnal things are those which the teachers might expect in return, the ordinary support of their physical nature.

The force of the climax will be better realized if we notice that the previous argument proved the right of a laborer to receive remuneration that was the same in kind as the quality of his labor. A plower or a sower would have his reward in a harvest of the same kind as he had sown. This principle is recognized in civilized life and was sanctioned by the purpose that the Law of God had in view. The Apostle then adds, with a slight touch of sarcasm—Since this is an ordinary thing in life, is it a great thing for us to receive a reward as inferior to our work as carnal things are to spiritual things?