What Does 1 Corinthians 9:4 Mean in the King James?
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The “power” here is the right to be sustained: even eating and drinking fall inside what the work may rightly receive.
THE MEANING
Your right to eat and drink belongs within the meaning of the work; bodily nourishment is legitimate provision, not an embarrassing extra. The verse holds provision and vocation together, making the ordinary meal part of what may rightly be received.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that accepting material support makes meaningful service less legitimate: the verse treats food and drink as a rightful part of the worker’s provision.
THE ROOT
ἐξουσίαν
exousian
GROWS FROM
ἔξεστι
exesti
It is permitted or possible; something is within one’s right.
This Greek word belongs to a word-family rather than a Hebrew three-consonant root: ἐξουσία names the right or authority grounded in what is permitted. Here, “power” reaches all the way down to the right to receive food and drink, making material support part of the work’s rightful provision.
ALSO GROWS
exestin: It is permitted, possible, or lawful.
ἔξεστιν
This related expression shows the sense of permission beneath the right to eat and drink.
exousiazō: To exercise authority or have power over.
ἐξουσιάζω
The related verb shows that the same word-family can name authority in action, while this verse names a right that may be received.
exousiastēs: One who exercises authority.
ἐξουσιαστής
This related noun makes the person who holds authority visible, clarifying that the verse speaks of a claim the worker is entitled to make.
THE PATTERN
The one who works is entitled to receive the material provision that sustains the work.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.THE THREAD
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.The same Greek word translated “power” appears here, naming a right that can be claimed or left unused. That makes the entitlement concrete: setting it aside does not mean the right was never real.
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