1 Corinthians 9:2

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

If to others I am not an Apostle, at least I am one to you: for the fact that you are Christians is the sign that I am an Apostle.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

Even if I'm not an apostle to others, at least I am one to you. The proof of my being an apostle of the Lord is you!

Geneva Bible 1599

If I be not an Apostle vnto other, yet doutlesse I am vnto you: for ye are the seale of mine Apostleship in the Lord.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Plain English Version

Maybe other people reckon I’m not Jesus’s special worker, but you know that I am. You see, you believed what I told you, and now you are Christians. That shows that Jesus sent me to you.

Translation for Translators

And even though other people may think that I am not an apostle, you certainly should know that I am an apostle. Remember that your having become Christians [MET] as a result of my telling you about the Lord ◄confirms/shows that it is true► that I am an apostle.

Unlocked Literal Bible

If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you. For you are the proof of my apostleship in the Lord.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sermons

M. Church Conduct

A.T. Pierson

Summary

In this verse, Paul defends his apostleship by highlighting the Corinthian believers as the seal of his ministry in the Lord. He asserts that they are the proof of his calling and work in spreading the Gospel. Paul's reference to the Corinthian church as his 'letter of recommendation' underscores the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives, affirming his legitimacy as an apostle. This verse showcases the importance of tangible evidence of spiritual fruit in validating one's ministry and calling in serving God.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

If I be not an apostle unto others - If there be other Churches which have been founded by other apostles; yet it is not so with you. The seal of mine apostleship are ye - Your conversion to Christianity is God's seal to my apostleship. Had not God sent me, I could not have profited your souls. The σφραγις or seal, was a figure cut in a stone, and that set in a ring, by which letters of credence and authority were stamped. The ancients, particularly the Greeks, excelled in this kind of engraving. The cabinets of the curious give ample proof of this; and the moderns contend in vain to rival the perfection of those ancient masters. In the Lord - The apostle shows that it was by the grace and influence of God alone that he was an apostle, and that they were converted to Christianity.