1 Corinthians 9:5 (WEB)
Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
As quoted in the map (KJV)
1 Corinthians 9:5 (KJV)
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Key words
- οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ κυρίουhoi adelphoi tou kyriou · Greek
- 'the brethren of the Lord' — the group James belonged to (Galatians 1:19).
- ἀδελφὴν γυναῖκαadelphēn gynaika · Greek
- 'a sister, a wife' — 'sister' here means a fellow believer; the same verse shows kinship words used beyond blood.
Why it matters
Paul mentions 'the brethren of the Lord' travelling with wives. Pitre lists the verse with Matthew 13:55 and Mark 3:31–35 as the biblical basis for the objection that Mary had other children (p 13). His answer in chapter 5 identifies these brethren with the sons of the other Mary and of Clopas, and notes that Hegesippus calls them the Lord's cousins.
Catechism · 1
- §500Paragraph 2 · "Conceived by the Power of the Holy Spirit and Born of the Virgin Mary"Read at vatican.va
“Against this doctrine the objection is sometimes raised that the Bible mentions brothers and sisters of Jesus.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mk 3:31-35; 6:3; I Cor 9:5; Gal 1:19.
Fathers and councils · 13
Jerome
“But if, in order to show that all the Apostles had wives, he meets us with the words “Have we no right to lead about women or wives” (for γυνή in Greek has both meanings) “even as the rest of the apostles, and Cephas, and the brethren of the…” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 5. The text has been much tampered with by the advocates or opponents of celibacy. The reading first quoted by Jerome is that of F, a manuscript of…
Read the whole comment“And farther on, “I say, therefore, to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.” And in another place, “have we not power to lead about wives even as the rest of the apostles?”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 5.
Read the whole comment“I offer my congratulations to you and to your holy and revered sister, Serenilla, who, true to her name, has trodden down the troubled waves of the world, and has passed to Christ’s calm haven: a happiness which—if we may trust the augury of your name—is in store for you also.” — editor's note: I.e. his wife. Cf. 1 Cor. ix. 5.
Read the whole comment“Peter was married too, but when he forsook his ship and his nets he forsook his wife also.” — editor's note: But see 1 Cor. ix. 5.
Read the whole comment“Though he had power to lead about a sister, a wife, he would not do so, for he did not wish to be judged by an unbeliever’s conscience.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 5.
Read the whole comment“And again in another place, “Have we no right to eat and drink?” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 4, 5.
Read the whole comment
Eusebius of Caesarea
“For Peter and Philip begat children; and Philip also gave his daughters in marriage.” — editor's note: Peter was married, as we know from Matt. viii. 14 (cf. 1 Cor. ix. 5). Tradition also tells us of a daughter, St. Petronilla. She is first called St. Peter’s…
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First Council of Nicaea (325)
“1 Cor. ix. 5.” — the author cites it
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Augustine of Hippo
“Who feedeth a flock, and of the milk of the flock partaketh not?”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 1–7
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Tertullian
“Apostles, withal, had a “licence” to marry, and lead wives about (with them).” — editor's note: See 1 Cor. ix. 5.
Read the whole comment“Nor indeed, if, among the Greeks, in accordance with the carelessness of custom, women and wives are classed under a common name—however, there is a name proper to wives—shall we therefore so interpret Paul as if he demonstrates the apostles to have had wives?” — editor's note: See 1 Cor. ix. 1–5.
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Aphrahat
“But it was not becoming or right.” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 4, 5.
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Clement of Alexandria
“Dicit itaque in quadam epistola: “Non habemus potestatem sororem uxorem circumducendi, sicut et reliqui apostoli?”” — editor's note: 1 Cor. ix. 5.
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Cross-references · 25
Cited together in Letters Letter 47.
Cited together in Letters Letter 47.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Church History III.30.
Cited together in Of the Work of Monks Chapter 4.
Cited together in Of the Work of Monks Chapter 4.
Cited together in Of the Work of Monks Chapter 4.
Cited together in Of the Work of Monks Chapter 4.
Cited together in Letters Letter 47.
Cited together in Letters Letter 47.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Letters Letter 47.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Catechism §500.
Cited together in Church History III.30.
Cited together in Church History III.30.