1 Corinthians 9:13 - Exposition

They which minister about holy things. Jewish priests. He adds his two final arguments—since the right which he is pleading has its own intrinsic importance—before proceeding to the example which he set in order to prevail on the strong to give up their rights and their liberty, when need was, for the sake of the weak. Live ; literally, eat, or feed. The Zealots used this excuse for themselves when they broke open the temple stores in the siege of Jerusalem (Josephus, 'Bell. Jud.,' 1 Corinthians 5:13 , § 6). Of the things of the temple. They shared in the victims offered (see Numbers 18:8-13 ; Deuteronomy 18:1 ). Partakers with the altar. Only certain portions of certain victims were allowed them.