In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, he told them of the Lord’s intention that preachers be paid for their labor in the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). In this discussion about support for the work of preaching, Paul also had something to say about preachers’ wives:
“Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?” (1 Corinthians 9:4-6).
Paul was not married (1 Corinthians 7:8), yet many of his fellow-preachers were. The apostle, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, told the brethren in Corinth that those who preach have just as much of “a right to take along a believing wife” as they do to “get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:5, 14).
In this brief article, I want us to consider three lessons that are implied in the “right to take along a believing wife.” Though Paul was specifically addressing those who dedicate their lives to preaching, we will also consider principles that apply more broadly – to those who would support preachers in their work and to those who would marry. So let us consider these three lessons.
A Preacher’s Support
God’s design is for “those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). But what degree of support does this suggest? It is important to note that such support is described in the New Testament as “wages” (2 Corinthians 11:8), not as benevolence. Therefore, it is based upon one’s work, not his need. When Paul mentioned the right for a preacher to “take along a believing wife” (1 Corinthians 9:5), the Holy Spirit meant that a preacher ought to receive sufficient support to provide for his family.
The men that Paul mentioned were able to “take along” their wives, which indicated that these women were able to travel with their preaching husbands without hindrance. Paul warned the Corinthians earlier about marriage necessarily causes one’s “interests [to be] divided” as the married man would strive to please both the Lord and his wife (1 Corinthians 7:33-34). Sufficient support for a preacher – which would allow his wife to accompany him – would lessen this hindrance as she could be with him wherever he went to preach, rather than be away from him at home. It is not necessarily wrong for a woman to work outside the home; but if it must be done, it must be as a “help meet” (Genesis 2:18, KJV) for her husband, rather than as an obstacle that hinders her husband’s work.
The Importance of a Believing Spouse
It is important for Christians – not just preachers – to marry Christians. Paul said, “Do not be bound together [unequally yoked together, KJV] with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This verse does not prohibit Christians from marrying non-Christians, but it does warn against any association (not just marriage) in which a Christian will be influenced by a non-Christian into sin.
There are many potential problems that come when a Christian marries a non-Christian. Though the hope is that the Christian will eventually influence the non-Christian to obey the gospel – and some do (1 Peter 3:1) – many simply will not be converted. Furthermore, the children that may be born to such a union often fall away or never obey the gospel in the first place because both parents are not a positive influence to them toward the truth (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). There is also the discouragement against the Christian to remain faithful when encouragement in this respect is vital (Hebrews 3:12-13). If Christians are going to marry, it is important that – if at all possible – the spouse they choose for themselves is a fellow-Christian (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:39). Marriage is certainly honorable (Hebrews 13:4), but a preacher’s work – not to mention his walk as a Christian – will often be hindered if his wife is not a believer.
The Importance of a Supportive Spouse
Sadly, this is not the same as the previous point. Any Christian may fail in his/her marital responsibilities. Yet a supportive spouse is so important, particularly for a preacher. An unsupportive wife – one who does not encourage him in his work and is not the “help meet” that he needs – can be detrimental to his efforts. In some cases, she may desert him. If she does not leave, but still disapproves of his efforts to preach the gospel, she may become the contentious wife who is likened to a “constant dripping” by the wise man (Proverbs 19:13). She may even, in essence, usurp the authority of her husband (1 Timothy 2:12; Ephesians 5:22, 24) as he compromises his work in the gospel and role in the marriage in an effort to avoid strife at home. This is not how a preacher’s wife – or any wife – should be. She was created to be a “help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18).
Paul specifically mentioned Peter (Cephas – cf. John 1:42) as one of the preachers who traveled with his wife (1 Corinthians 9:5). Early on in Jesus’ public ministry, the Lord healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15). Since this occurred so early, we can infer that Peter was already married before Jesus called him to leave his work as a fisherman to become a fisher of men (Matthew 4:18-20). When Peter’s wife married this fisherman, she did not know what his later work would be; but she supported him, evidenced by the fact that she traveled with him rather than staying behind so as to have nothing to do with his work. Our futures are uncertain. And while no one will be specifically called by the Lord to preach as Peter was, it is important for a preacher to have a spouse that is supportive in his efforts to take advantage of opportunities to proclaim the gospel – wherever that may take him (them).
Andy, you make some very good points on this subject of preachers and wives. You covered a lot of territory in this article that will require lots of thinking in order to absorb all you have said. One point that I cannot get out of my mind is this: Why would any Christian want to or have to marry a non-Christian? Paul made it very clear that if he took a wife, it would have to be a “believing wife.” I can even imagine “Christians” saying, “Well, she believes in Jesus, she is just not a Christian so it would be ok to marry her.” Question: Why would it NOT always be “possible” for one to marry a Christian? How shallow can folks be? I was asked by a Christian if I thought it was a sin to marry a non Christian. The man married the non-Christian and they had a son. The wife never became a Christian and neither did the son and that was over forty years ago. Many Christians are so shallow that if you scratched them, you could see right through their “Christianity.”
Very good lesson that offers excellent points to consider.
I appreciate Andy’s article and would like to use this opportunity to express some thoughts:
I have over the years grappled with the 1 Corinthians 9 passage with respect to its implications and applications. Verses 5 & 14 are frequently cited by preachers, but there is a larger context that needs to be considered.
(1) Verse 1 of 1 Corinthians 9 begins with the words, “Am I not an APOSTLE…?” In verse 2, Paul described the Corinthians as being “the seal of (his) APOSTLESHIP.” Verse 5 speaks of “other APOSTLES.” While it is true that “preaching” is the particular work that Paul is here describing, there is an apostolic context underlying his argumentation. The “brothers of the Lord” and Barnabas were not “apostles,” at least in the fuller sense (see Acts 14:14), thus there is some degree of general preaching/preacher application. The question is how much. For example, Verse 14 states that God has “ordained that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” This verse absolutely AUTHORIZES a preacher to be supported to preach. However, it does not require churches to support a man just because he wants to preach.
(2) Verse 5 speaks of “leading about” a wife. This Greek term is used only 5 other places in the N.T. Jesus “went about”(periago) the cities and villages of Galilee teaching the gospel (Mt. 4:23; 9:35). The scribes and Pharisees “compassed”(periago) sea and land in order to proselytize others (Mt. 23:15). This word implies TRAVEL. The word’s usage tends to suggest extensive travel in the propagation of the gospel. We are reminded of the apostolic commission of Mark 16 and of Paul’s unique calling in Acts 9. While it is true that some gospel preachers do sometimes travel to conduct gospel meetings, they do this by invitation, not by express divine decree and commission. Modern preachers are not apostles. A preacher might spend his entire life preaching and teaching in one geographical area. He does not “lead” his wife “about” when doing so.
(3) I have heard some preachers cite 1 Cor. 9:5 to argue that they should be sufficiently financially supported that their wives need not work out of the home. This “rule” places preachers and their incomes in a unique and elevated classification. Such a view of the gospel preacher is sectarian to the core. It suggests that preachers have a special right and privilege that is not granted to other Christians. We should tread carefully in our interpretation and use of this passage.
(4) Of course, what often happens in order for this to be possible is that the wives of other men in the church must work out of the home in order to produce enough funds to support such preachers and their wives. I recall a young preacher, whom we supported at the time, insisting to me that 1 Corinthians 9:5 made it the obligation of churches to support him at such a level that his wife would not have to work outside of the home. I told him that the only reason that we had the extra funds available for the support of outside preachers was precisely because many of the female members of our church also worked secular work. I told him that if they were to all quit their jobs, the church would have to immediately and drastically reduce its support of he and other preachers, and perhaps even cancel some of them.
Some passages are particularly difficult to parse out with respect to their direct, versus their principle application. For example, Luke 10 records the sending out of the “70” to various “cities.” According to verse 7, these men were to receive their sustenance from the household that “received” them. The verse states as the reason, that “the laborer is worthy of his hire.” Does this mean that preachers today can only be supported by families with whom they live, and cannot be supported by a local church? No, Luke 10:7 has a context. That it also contains a principle application is obvious from the fact that Paul quoted the phrase in 1 Timothy 5:18 and applied it to the financial support of local church elders.
The point is that we must be careful when handling passages that are tied to peculiar, even non-repeatable circumstances and conditions.
Wayne, good thoughts. While I can think of examples in which a Christian married a non-Christian and it worked out in the end (the spouse was converted and children were faithful), there are many more examples in which it does not work out that way. Those who are unmarried need to be very careful who they choose as a mate.
Tim,
Good comments. Let me add a few thoughts.
1. While this passage authorizes a preacher to receive support, you’re right, this does not entitle anyone a degree of support just because he wants to preach. He must be judged faithful and able by those churches or individuals who would be providing the support.
2. True, preachers today often will not travel around like the apostles did. I didn’t mean to suggest that was an inherent part of preaching today, but just used it to point out that his wife was unhindered.
3. On your point about preachers not having some special right to a livelihood that others do not have, that’s true. Everyone (preachers and non-preachers) have the right to work to try and earn an income to support his family. Of course, this doesn’t guarantee anyone (preacher or not) a certain income, either. But that doesn’t change what 1 Corinthians 9:14 says – those who preach the gospel should make their living from the gospel. I wouldn’t call making a living a special privilege for preachers, as others are able to make a living through secular employment. However, preaching is the only “profession” that churches are called upon to support (unless you also include elders in 1 Timothy 5), which is why the Scriptures address it.
4. A wife who works outside the home does so because she and her husband agree for her to do it. There may be many factors involved in their decision (health insurance, the husband not having to work a second job, etc.). The extra income will often allow them to increase their contribution, thus allowing the congregation to provide more support for preachers. If wives quit working outside the home and families’ contributions were reduced, you’re right, preachers’ support would take a hit. Then the preacher might have to do what Paul often did – do secular work to support himself. And he should be willing to do so (again, support for preaching is not an entitlement). But again, that doesn’t change what the passage says, nor how we teach on it.
Good points.
And “good points” to you too! I appreciate your thoughts and explanations.