“Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?”
My Notes
What Does 1 Corinthians 9:5 Mean?
1 Corinthians 9:5 is part of Paul's defense of his apostolic rights — rights he voluntarily surrendered for the sake of the gospel. In this verse, he mentions a detail that reveals something significant about the early church's leadership.
"Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife" — the Greek mē ouk echomen exousian adelphēn gynaika periagein (do we not have the right to take along a sister, a wife) asserts Paul's right to be married and to travel with a believing spouse. The Greek exousia (power, right, authority) is the word for a legitimate entitlement. The marginal note gives "woman" as an alternative to "wife," but the context — especially the reference to other apostles doing this — makes "wife" the clear meaning.
"As well as other apostles" — the Greek hoi loipoi apostoloi (the remaining/other apostles) indicates that marriage among the apostles was the norm, not the exception. Paul's singleness (or widowerhood — his marital history is debated) was unusual in the apostolic company.
"And as the brethren of the Lord" — the Greek hoi adelphoi tou kyriou (the brothers of the Lord) refers to Jesus's biological brothers — James, Joses, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). They were married and traveled with their wives in ministry. James became the leader of the Jerusalem church. The detail confirms that Jesus's brothers became believers (they weren't during His ministry — John 7:5) and served in active leadership.
"And Cephas" — Peter (Cephas is the Aramaic equivalent). The Gospels mention Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14), confirming he was married. Here Paul adds that Peter's wife traveled with him on missionary journeys.
Paul's point isn't to discuss marriage. It's to establish that he has rights he's choosing not to exercise. He could be married. He could receive financial support (v. 4, 6). He chose not to — so that no one could accuse him of profiting from the gospel (v. 12, 15-18). The sacrifice is voluntary, and its voluntariness is the point.
Reflection Questions
- 1.The apostles traveled with their wives — ministry and marriage weren't separated. How does this picture of integrated family-and-faith challenge modern assumptions about ministry?
- 2.Paul had the right to marry and receive support but chose to forgo both. What rights or legitimate comforts have you voluntarily surrendered for the sake of something God asked you to do?
- 3.Jesus's brothers became believers and leaders after initially rejecting Him. Who in your life has made a dramatic spiritual turnaround — and what does their story teach you about patience?
- 4.Paul's sacrifice was voluntary, not required. How does the voluntariness of a sacrifice change its value — both to God and to the people it serves?
Devotional
The other apostles traveled with their wives. Peter's wife was with him on the road. Jesus's own brothers were married and in ministry. And Paul — who had the same right — chose to go without.
This verse is fascinating for what it reveals in passing. The early church's leadership wasn't a celibate priesthood. Marriage was normal. Expected, even. The apostles didn't leave their families behind to do ministry. They brought them along. Peter's wife, who appears in the Gospels only as a mother-in-law healed of a fever, was apparently his traveling companion throughout his missionary career.
Jesus's brothers — who didn't believe in Him during His earthly ministry (John 7:5) — are here described as married, active, and traveling in ministry. Something happened between the resurrection and this letter that transformed skeptical siblings into missionary leaders. James became the head of the Jerusalem church. And they brought their wives.
But Paul's point isn't really about marriage. It's about sacrifice. He's listing everything he has the right to claim — a wife, financial support, freedom from manual labor — and then saying: I gave all of it up. Not because these things are wrong. Because giving them up serves the gospel better in my particular case.
The distinction matters: Paul isn't creating a rule. He's describing a choice. He's not saying singleness is holier than marriage (he says the opposite in other contexts). He's saying that his specific call requires specific sacrifices — and the voluntariness of those sacrifices is what gives them their weight. A right exercised is legitimate. A right voluntarily surrendered for the gospel's sake is powerful.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Or I only and Barnabas,.... Who were for a great while companions and fellow travellers; are we alone? are we exempted…
Have we not power? - Have we not a right? The objection here seems to have been, that Paul and Barnabas were unmarried,…
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife - The word εξουσιαν is to be understood here, as above in Co1 9:4, as…
Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the rights belonging to his office, especially that of…
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife The ordinary interpretation of this passage is (1) that St Paul here…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture