*9:1 One of the requirements for a replacement for Judas Iscariot was to have seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:22). Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Christ”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.

†9:5 This refers to the sons that Mary had with Joseph after Jesus was born. ‘Cephas’ was another name for Peter.

‡9:7 Actually the Text says ‘eat’, but milk is a liquid; unless it be that Paul is thinking of cheese, that is derived from milk.

§9:9 See Deuteronomy 25:4.

*9:9 Obviously human beings are more important to God than are the animals, but God is telling us to treat the animals with some consideration.

†9:14 When was that? When Jesus sent out the twelve and later the seventy, He told them not to take money but to depend on the hospitality of those to whom they ministered. Later on, however, He reversed that instruction, but “to live” refers to basic needs, not luxury.

‡9:18 Perhaps 4% of the Greek manuscripts omit “of Christ”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.

§9:18 If you only do something because you are compelled, because you can't get out of it, you get no credit for it. Paul preaches the Gospel because he has to, he is compelled, so gets no credit. But Paul wants some credit, some reward! So how can he get it? Not by preaching, since that is obligatory—by preaching without charge! Paul has the right to charge but foregoes it so as to get some credit/reward. Evidently this was rather important to him (verse 15)—I confess that I don't understand why he said it would be better to die.

*9:23 If you are a partner, you get a share of the profits; evidently Paul's share was being deposited in the Bank of Heaven.

†9:27 This is a strong term. If Paul was concerned, we had better be too! Note that this has to do with disciplining the body.