If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

1 CORINTHIANS 9:11KJV
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1 Corinthians 9:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 9:11 mean?

1 Corinthians 9:11 says that if Paul and his fellow workers have shared spiritual blessings or teachings with the Corinthians, it is not unreasonable for them to receive material support in return. The verse uses the idea of sowing spiritual things and reaping carnal (physical or material) things to make this point.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, explaining why it is fair for those who teach and serve spiritually to receive practical help from those they serve. He uses a farming metaphor—sowing and reaping—to show that sharing in spiritual work can rightly lead to sharing in material benefits. The verse is part of a larger discussion where Paul defends the rights of apostles but also explains his own choice not to use those rights for the sake of the gospel.

Where else these words appear

“things” Greek G4559 · used in 10 verses

  • Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

“reap” Greek G2325 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 19:22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
  • Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

“things” Greek G4152 · used in 21 verses

  • Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
  • 1 Corinthians 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
  • Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

“sown” Greek G4687 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
  • Luke 19:21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.