1 Corinthians 9:2

2 If to others I am not an apostle, yet indeed I am to you, for you are my seal of apostleship in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:2

If I be not an apostle unto others
This is said by way of supposition, not concession; for he was an apostle to many others; he was an apostle of the Gentiles in general; as the apostleship of the circumcision belonged to Peter, that of the uncircumcision fell to his share: but however, as if he should say, be that as it will,

yet doubtless I am to you;
all the signs of apostleship were wrought among them; not only the grace of God was implanted in them under his ministry, but the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit were received by them through it; and many signs, wonders, and mighty deeds, were done in the midst of them by him: see ( 2 Corinthians 12:12 ) which were sufficient to put the matter quite out of doubt with them:

for the seal of mine apostleship, are ye in the Lord;
alluding to the sealing of deeds and writings, which render them authentic; or to the sealing of letters, confirming the truth of what is therein expressed; and the sense is, that their being converted persons, and so openly in the Lord, in union with him; or being made new creatures by the power of his grace, through his preaching, was an authentic proof of his apostleship, and served him instead of a letter testimonial and recommendatory; see ( 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 ) . Some copies read, "the seal of my epistle", and so the Ethiopic version.

1 Corinthians 9:2 In-Context

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
2 If to others I am not an apostle, yet indeed I am to you, for you are my seal of apostleship in the Lord.
3 My defense to those who examine me is this:
4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
5 Do we not have the right to take along a sister [as] wife, like the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.