1 Corinthians 9:7
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 27
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
στρατεύεται
goeth a warfare
G4754
στρατεύεται
goeth a warfare
Strong's:
G4754
Word #:
2 of 27
to serve in a military campaign; figuratively, to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations
ἰδίοις
his own
G2398
ἰδίοις
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
3 of 27
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
ὀψωνίοις
charges
G3800
ὀψωνίοις
charges
Strong's:
G3800
Word #:
4 of 27
rations for a soldier, i.e., (by extension) his stipend or pay
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
6 of 27
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
φυτεύει
planteth
G5452
φυτεύει
planteth
Strong's:
G5452
Word #:
7 of 27
to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
thereof
G846
αὐτοῦ
thereof
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐσθίει
eateth
G2068
ἐσθίει
eateth
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
15 of 27
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
17 of 27
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ποιμαίνει
feedeth
G4165
ποιμαίνει
feedeth
Strong's:
G4165
Word #:
18 of 27
to tend as a shepherd of (figuratively, superviser)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
of
G1537
ἐκ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
21 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Proverbs 27:18Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.Deuteronomy 20:6And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
Historical Context
Roman soldiers received regular pay (stipendium) plus rations and spoils of war. Vineyards required years of cultivation before yielding fruit—no farmer would plant without expecting a return. Shepherds lived off their flocks' milk, wool, and occasional meat. These were universally understood economic realities in the agrarian Mediterranean world. Paul's analogies would have been instantly recognizable to his audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How do these three analogies (soldier, farmer, shepherd) ground ministerial support in creation's order?
- Why does Paul argue from nature and reason before appealing to Scripture (v. 9)?
- What is the difference between deserving support and demanding it?
Analysis & Commentary
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Paul shifts from personal example to universal analogy, using three illustrations from everyday life: soldiers, farmers, and shepherds. No soldier funds his own military campaign—commanders provide supplies. The Greek opsōnion (ὀψώνιον, "wages, rations") originally meant soldiers' pay, then broadened to any compensation for service.
Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Farmers eat from their harvest; shepherds drink from their flocks. These are not illustrations of greed but of natural justice: laborers deserve sustenance from their work. Paul's logic moves from human reason (v. 7-8) to Old Testament law (v. 9-10) to gospel ordinance (v. 14). The principle is cumulative: common sense, Scripture, and Christ all affirm that gospel workers deserve material support.