1 Corinthians 9:11

1 Corinthians 9:11

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

a. NLT: Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?

b. NIV: If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

c. YLT: If we to you the spiritual things did sow -- great is it if we your fleshly things do reap?

d. Amplified Bible: If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

e. Worrell Translation: if we sowed for you spiritual things, is it a great matter, if we shall reap your carnal things?

1. “If we have sown unto you spiritual things…”

a. if [1487 * ei] [Strong: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537.]

b. we [2249 *  hemeis] [nominative plural of 1473; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).]

c. have sown [4687 * sperio] [Strong: probably strengthened from 4685 (through the idea of extending); to scatter, i.e. sow (literally or figuratively):--sow(- er), receive seed.]]

d. unto you [5213 * humin] [Strong: irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

e. spiritual things [4152 * pneuma] [Strong: from 4151; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious:--spiritual.] 

2. “…is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

a. great thing [3173 * megas] [Strong: (including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also 3176, 3187); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.]

b. if [1487 * ei] [Strong: a primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.:--forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles, especially as in 1489, 1490, 1499, 1508, 1509, 1512, 1513, 1536, 1537.]

c. we [2249 * hemeis] [Strong: nominative plural of 1473; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves).]

d. reap [2325 * therizo] [Strong: from 2330 (in the sense of the crop); to harvest:--reap.]

e. your [5216 * humon] [Strong: genitive case of 5210; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).]

f. carnal things [4559 * sarkikos] [Strong: from 4561; pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate:--carnal, fleshly.]

            1). In all of 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 Paul gives the reason for not accepting offerings from the                   Corinthian church, but also gives the Scriptural argument for believers responsibility of                       financing the gospel. In other words, the answer to his question is “Absolutely not!”