1 Corinthians 9:2
New International Version
Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

New Living Translation
Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

English Standard Version
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible
Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Berean Literal Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

King James Bible
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

New King James Version
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

New American Standard Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

NASB 1995
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

NASB 1977
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Legacy Standard Bible
If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Amplified Bible
If I am not [considered] an apostle to others, at least I am one to you; for you are the seal and the certificate and the living evidence of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it].

Christian Standard Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

American Standard Version
If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Contemporary English Version
Others may think that I am not an apostle, but you are proof that I am an apostle to you.

English Revised Version
If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I'm not an apostle to other people, at least I'm an apostle to you. You are the seal which proves that I am the Lord's apostle.

Good News Translation
Even if others do not accept me as an apostle, surely you do! Because of your life in union with the Lord you yourselves are proof of the fact that I am an apostle.

International Standard Version
If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the evidence of my apostolic authority from the Lord.

Majority Standard Bible
Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

NET Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord.

New Heart English Bible
If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my office of apostle in the Lord.

Webster's Bible Translation
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Weymouth New Testament
If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of my Apostleship.

World English Bible
If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
If I am not an apostle to others—yet doubtless I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the LORD.

Berean Literal Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Young's Literal Translation
if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Smith's Literal Translation
If to others I am not sent, but surely I am to you: for the seal of my sending are ye in the Lord.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you I am. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if I am not an Apostle to others, yet still I am to you. For you are the seal of my Apostleship in the Lord.

New American Bible
Although I may not be an apostle for others, certainly I am for you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

New Revised Standard Version
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I am not an apostle to others, yet to you I am: for you are the seal of my apostleship.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if, on one hand, I have not been an Apostle to others, on the other hand I am to you, and you are the seal of my Apostleship.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
If I am not an apostle to others, yet certainly I am to you; for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord.

Godbey New Testament
If I am not an apostle to others, but I am to you at least: for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Haweis New Testament
If I am not an apostle unto others, doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostolic mission in the Lord.

Mace New Testament
if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.

Weymouth New Testament
If to other men I am not an Apostle, yet at any rate I am one to you; for your very existence as a Christian Church is the seal of my Apostleship.

Worrell New Testament
If to others I am not an apostle, yet to you at least I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.

Worsley New Testament
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are in the Lord the seal of my apostleship.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rights of an Apostle
1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? 2Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3This is my defense to those who scrutinize me:…

Cross References
Acts 18:1-11
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. / There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, / and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was. ...

2 Corinthians 3:2-3
You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone. / It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Galatians 2:8
For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 4:15
Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

2 Corinthians 12:12
The marks of a true apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.

Romans 1:5
Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? / You are indeed our glory and our joy.

2 Corinthians 11:5
I consider myself in no way inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Ephesians 3:7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. / Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Philippians 1:7
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart. For in my chains and in my defense and confirmation of the gospel, you are all partners in grace with me.

1 Timothy 2:7
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.

2 Timothy 1:11
to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Romans 15:18-19
I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed, / by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”


Treasury of Scripture

If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord.

for.

John 6:27
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

2 Corinthians 3:1-3
Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? …

2 Corinthians 12:12
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

Jump to Previous
Apostle Apostleship Christian Christians Church Doubtless Existence Fact Least Others Rate Seal Surely
Jump to Next
Apostle Apostleship Christian Christians Church Doubtless Existence Fact Least Others Rate Seal Surely
1 Corinthians 9
1. He shows his liberty;
7. and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
15. yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
18. to be neither chargeable unto them,
22. nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.
24. Our life is like unto a race.














Even if I am not an apostle to others
In this phrase, Paul acknowledges the possibility that some may not recognize his apostolic authority. The Greek word for "apostle" is "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent." Historically, apostles were foundational leaders in the early church, chosen by Christ to spread the Gospel. Paul’s apostleship was sometimes questioned because he was not one of the original twelve. However, his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and his subsequent mission work validate his role. This phrase highlights the challenges Paul faced in establishing his authority and the importance of divine calling over human recognition.

surely I am to you!
Here, Paul asserts his apostolic authority specifically to the Corinthians. The word "surely" (Greek "alla") is a strong adversative, emphasizing contrast. Paul is confident in his relationship with the Corinthian church, which he founded (Acts 18:1-11). This personal connection underscores the authenticity of his apostleship. Historically, Corinth was a major city in ancient Greece, known for its diversity and moral challenges. Paul’s ministry there was significant, and his relationship with the Corinthians was deeply personal, marked by both affection and correction.

For you are the seal of my apostleship
The term "seal" (Greek "sphragis") refers to a mark of authenticity or ownership. In ancient times, a seal was used to validate documents or signify authority. By calling the Corinthians the "seal" of his apostleship, Paul indicates that their faith and transformation are evidence of his genuine calling and work in the Lord. This metaphor highlights the visible and tangible results of Paul’s ministry, serving as proof of his divine commission.

in the Lord
This phrase emphasizes that Paul’s apostleship and the Corinthians’ transformation are rooted in Christ. The Greek "en Kyriō" signifies being in union with the Lord, underscoring that all authority and ministry effectiveness come from Him. Historically, the early church understood that true spiritual authority and success were derived from a relationship with Christ. Paul’s work among the Corinthians was not of his own doing but was empowered by the Lord, aligning with the broader biblical theme that all ministry is ultimately for God’s glory and purpose.

(2) If I be not an apostle unto others.--The allusion here is probably to some who may have arrived at Corinth subsequent to St. Paul's departure, and who, not recognising his Apostleship in relation to themselves, stirred up some of the Corinthians to repudiate it also. So the Apostle says, "Even if I am not an Apostle to these others, I am, at all events, to you; for you are yourselves the very proof and witness--the seal affixed to my appointment to the Apostolate." The repetition of the words "in the Lord" in both these verses expresses the strong conviction, which is characteristic of the Apostle, that the source of all power and of all success is Christ Himself.

Verse 2. - Unto others. If the emissaries from Jerusalem or the Petrine party do not choose to regard me as their apostle or an apostle at all, yet at any rate I am yours. Doubtless; rather, at least, at any rate. The seal of mine apostleship. Your conversion attests the genuineness of my claim, as a seal attests a document. Thus baptism is the seal of conversion (Ephesians 4:30; comp. Romans 4:11; John 3:33).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Even if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

I am
εἰμὶ (eimi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

not
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apostolos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

to others,
ἄλλοις (allois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

surely
γε (ge)
Particle
Strong's 1065: A primary particle of emphasis or qualification.

I am
εἰμι (eimi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

are
ἐστε (este)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

seal
σφραγίς (sphragis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4973: Probably strengthened from phrasso; a signet; by implication, the stamp impressed, literally or figuratively.

of my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

apostleship
ἀποστολῆς (apostolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 651: Commission, duty of apostle, apostleship. From apostello; commission, i.e. apostolate.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Lord.
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


Links
1 Corinthians 9:2 NIV
1 Corinthians 9:2 NLT
1 Corinthians 9:2 ESV
1 Corinthians 9:2 NASB
1 Corinthians 9:2 KJV

1 Corinthians 9:2 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 9:2 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 9:2 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 9:2 French Bible
1 Corinthians 9:2 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:2 If to others I am not (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 9:1
Top of Page
Top of Page