1 Corinthians 9:6

1 Corinthians 9:6

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

a. NLT: Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?

b. NIV: Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

c. YLT: or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority -- not to work?

d. Amplified Bible: Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]?

e. Worrell Translation: Or have only I and Barnabas no right to give up working?

1. “Or I only and Barnabas…”

a. or [222* e] [Strong: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles.]

b. I [1473 * ego] [Strong:  a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me.]

c. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. Barnabas [921 * Barnabas] [Strong: of Chaldee origin (1247 and 5029); son of Nabas (i.e. prophecy); Barnabas, an Israelite:--Barnabas.]

2. “…have not we power to forbear working?”

a. have…we [2192 * echo] [Strong: including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]

b. not [3756 * ou] [Strong: also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. power [1489 * exousia] [Strong:  from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:--authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.]

d. to forbear [3361 * me] [Strong: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations.]

e. working [2038 * ergazomai] [Strong: middle voice from 2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.]

1). Paul is basically asking the question, Is it just me and Barnabas who do not have the freedom to stop working so others will support our ministry?