Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
Paul's Courtroom Language
Scholars explain that Paul uses formal, legal language here. The Greek words for “defence” (apologia) and “examine” (anakrinō) are technical terms for a defense and an investigation before a tribunal. Paul is not offering a casual apology; he is mounting a structured, courtroom-style defense of his apostolic authority against his critics.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
1 Corinthians
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
7
Albert Barnes
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
18th Century
Theologian
Mine answer. Greek, emē apologia, meaning my apology or my defence. This same word occurs in Acts 22:1; Acts 25:16; [R…
AT Robertson
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
My defence (η εμη απολογια). Original sense, not idea of apologizing as we say. See on Ac 22:1; 25:16. Refers to what precedes and…
Charles Ellicott
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
19th Century
Bishop
My answer...—The verse refers to what has gone before, and not to what follows. That (emphatic) is my answer to…
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
Paul now begins to defend himself against those who have criticized his apostleship on the ground that he had not exercised all the rights one migh…
John Calvin
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
16th Century
Theologian
My defense. Besides the main subject he is currently addressing, it also appears to have been his intention to refute, in passing, the sla…
John Gill
On 1 Corinthians 9:3
17th Century
Pastor
My answer to them who examine me is this . ] These words are referred by some to the following, as if the apostle's answe…
Matthew Henry
On 1 Corinthians 9:1–14
17th Century
Minister
It is not new for a minister to encounter unkindness in return for goodwill to a people, and for diligent and successful service among them. To the…