1 Corinthians 9:8

8 Am I making use of merely worldly illustrations? Does not the Law speak in the same tone?

1 Corinthians 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:8

Say I these things as a man?
&c.] After the manner of men, reasoning from things common among men, and obvious to everyone's observation:

or saith not the law the same also?
As the subject the apostle is upon was capable of being illustrated and confirmed by instances common unto, and easy of observation among men; so it might be supported by divine authority; it was not only a clear point from the reason of things, but was certain by the law of God.

1 Corinthians 9:8 In-Context

6 Or again, is it only Barnabas and myself who are not at liberty to give up working with our hands?

7 What soldier ever serves at his own cost? Who plants a vineyard and yet does not eat any of the grapes? Or who tends a herd of cattle and yet does not taste their milk?

8 Am I making use of merely worldly illustrations? Does not the Law speak in the same tone?

9 For in the Law of Moses it is written, "Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."

10 Is God simply thinking about the oxen? Or is it really in our interest that He speaks? Of course, it was written in our interest, because it is His will that when a plough-man ploughs, and a thresher threshes, it should be in the hope of sharing that which comes as the result.