As we continue to look at the meaning of leading a sister about by way of review we saw in part one of this issue Paul teaching the Corinthian church their responsibility towards those who ministered unto them.
After listing the truth that he was an Apostle and free he then used several examples to convey God's heart to the church.
A solider is fed by the army, a farmer eats of the harvest, and a shepherd shares in the milk. All to teach the simple truth that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel for the laborer is worthy of his hire.
Paul wanted to work independently. He only wanted one head Christ. He wanted to win as many as possible for the Lord so he did what he had to do. (In the word)
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
This was his heart. He loved God's people and wanted the best for them. Paul worked for the Lord and in turn the Lord would reward him.
1 Corinthians 9:23-27 23Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
He was also aware that he needed to yield self to the lord. I know more than a few ministers who have forfeited their eternal rewards because they could not keep themselves under subjection unto the lord.
Now having honestly covered the context of the entire chapter with some back ground of the previous chapter we are on solid biblical footing to handle verse 5.
1 Corinthians 9:5 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?
The "we" in the verse is referring to is Paul and Barnabas.
The word "power" is the word exousia which means here he has the power of authority to choose.
The words" lead about," mean to lead around to walk about with.
Next we have two words in the text. One is the word for a blood sister or a sister in Christ. The next word is the word for a wife, virgin, widow. A woman of any age it's not specific context will determine its translation.
1 Corinthians 9:5b as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Now you need to understand eastern customs in order to understand this verse. There were very strict rules regarding men and woman in the bible times.
Unless you were married the woman in the east were always separate from the men so no questions could arise regarding holiness.
There is a record in the Old Testament where a man lost his life because he went into the woman's side of a tent that was not his wife.
Judges 4:20-22 20Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. 21Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 22And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
The apostles would strictly follow this protocol they would always be aware of how the devil works. Satan would love to get the apostles in a scandal to belittle the word of God.
There is a hebrewism in this verse concerning the phrase a sister a wife. It was common for the Jews to call their wives their sister.
These words were indicative of the lawfulness of their marriage not entering into it but rather that which follows it after words.
Thus the apostle's authority to lead his wife who is a believer about with him in ministry where ever he chooses.
Please note this hebrewism in the Old Testament.
Song of Solomon 4:7-12 7Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. 8Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. 9Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. 10How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! 11Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. 12A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
Verses 9, 10 and 12 all contain this reference "my sister my spouse." Clearly it's talking about his wife.
2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
1 Corinthians 9:5 is not teaching you have a right to lead a sister around like a wife… friends with benefits.
This verse in its context teaches that Paul had the right to receive support from the people to whom he ministered.
A minister was the representative of Christ; he deserved to be welcomed and cared for. If Paul or Barnabas had a wife, they too would have had the right to be supported by the church.
Peter was a married man (Mark 1:30), and his wife traveled with him. Paul and Barnabas had the same right, but chose not use it.
Paul also had the right to devote his full time to the ministry of the Word. He did not have to make tents or as some believe saddles.
The other Apostles did not work to support themselves because they gave themselves completely to the ministry of the Word.
However, both Paul and Barnabas labored with their own hands to support not only themselves, but also the men who labored with them.
In closing let me give you several other translations that confirm this truth.
ASV 1 Corinthians 9:5a Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a believer… BBE 1 Corinthians 9:5a Have we no right to take about with us a Christian wife… ESV 1 Corinthians 9:5a Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife… GNV 1 Corinthians 9:5a Or have we not power to lead about a wife being a sister…
The new American, the American standard, the New International the New Jerusalem the New King James the New Living the Revised Standard and many other translations support this truth.
And there are many others however, I believe the word of God is crystal clear concerning the meaning of verse 5 and the entire chapter simply put "those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
You have to be deeply deceived and unbelievably demonized to twist this verse to justify your belief that you have the right to have sexual relationships with a sister in Christ because you can lead about a sister.
Let it be said of us that we will not handle the word of God deceitfully but in integrity and in truth we present the gospel news of Jesus Christ.