What does it mean that those who preach the gospel should live by it (1 Corinthians 9:14)?

In 1 Corinthians 9:14, the apostle Paul says, “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (NKJV). This statement concerns material support for ministers, God’s provision, and the nature of gospel ministry.

Paul says that those who preach the gospel should live by it within a discussion about his apostolic rights. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul defends his apostolic authority and his right to collect financial support for his ministry. He starts with the basics: “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1, NKJV). These rhetorical questions establish his apostolic identity and the fact that he has the same rights as the other apostles.

Some in Corinth were criticizing Paul for receiving money from the churches he ministered in. He addresses those critics in 1 Corinthians 9:3 as he sets up “my defense to those who examine me” (NKJV). And he continues with some questions for them: “Do we have no right to eat and drink? . . . Is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?” (verses 4 and 6, NKJV).

He then makes an argument from everyday life: “Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?” (1 Corinthians 9:7, NKJV). Each example shows that it is normal for workers to share the fruit of their labor. He also backs up his claim by using Deuteronomy 25:4: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (1 Corinthians 9:9, NKJV). If even beasts are to receive their share from their work, how much more should gospel ministers be paid for their work of preaching the gospel?

Next, Paul appeals to the Mosaic Law: “Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?” (1 Corinthians 9:13, NKJV). The Old Testament priests received their livelihood from the offerings brought to the temple (Numbers 18:8–21). Based on that principle, New Testament gospel ministers are also entitled to financial support. In this context, Paul makes his climactic statement: “The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14, NKJV).

Paul’s phrase the Lord’s command indicates that Jesus Christ gave this rule. Paul may be referring to Matthew 10:10, where Jesus tells His disciples, “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (NKJV). When He sent out the twelve apostles and the seventy, Jesus told them to depend on the hospitality and provisions of others. Gospel workers should be supported by those to whom they preach the Word.

This principle is repeated in other places in the New Testament. In Galatians 6:6, Paul writes, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (NKJV). Also, in 1 Timothy 5:17, he writes, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (NKJV). These passages confirm that supporting ministers financially is biblical.

Paul claims his right to financial support, but for the sake of the gospel, he decides not to collect any money from the Corinthian church: “Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. . . . I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me” (1 Corinthians 9:12, 15). Paul preached the gospel “free of charge” in Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:7), receiving his support from “other churches” and “the brothers who came from Macedonia” (verses 8–9). Because of the Corinthian church’s sensitivity in this regard, Paul determined to take nothing from them: “I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way” (verse 9). He did something similar in Thessalonica (see 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9).

Paul’s personal choice to refuse offerings from the Corinthians underlines the fact that, although ministers have a right to receive support, their ultimate reliance must be on God and not on people. Obviously, Paul was following Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:31–33: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (NKJV).

Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 9:14 still applies to the church today. It right to support those who devote their lives to gospel ministry. Churches that neglect this responsibility disobey God and increase the workload on His ministers.