tithes

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>On Fri, 25 Sep 1998 16:17:24 -0400 "Caryle Clear" <cpcj@sprynet.com>
>writes:
>
>>Think about it...a Corinthian or a Galatian of this time would have no
>>idea
>>what he was talking about.
>
>Then Paul shouldn't have used the comparison in 1 Cor. 9:13,14 either.
>
>Lynne Yohnk


I just *love* 1611 English!!! <GG>  Let's dig deeper...

I Cor. 9:11-14
11--If we have sown unto you spiritual things, it is a great thing if we
shall reap your carnal things?
12--If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we
should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13--Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the
things of the temple? and they which wait at teh altar are partakers with
the altar?
14--Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.

What do I read here?  What is the principle?
--Practice what you preach.  These verses have nothing to do with Hebrew
tithing.

The wording you are referring to is "they which minister about holy things
*live of the things* of the temple..." is it not?
That *could* mean tithing (although there is no other mention of giving,
tithing, etc. in these passages, indeed the whole chapter).  But, it could
also mean *living* what you believe.  If you minister about holiness, you'd
better *live of the things of the temple*.  This meaning is backed up by the
rest of the chapter which deals specifically with preaching and holiness,
etc., not tithing.

Note: The word "partakers" as it is used in verse 14 is part of a larger
structure "partakers with" (co-participants), not "partakers of"
(consuming/using).

"partakers" as used in I Cor. 9:13 is Strong's # 4829 (similarly used in
Ephesians 3:6 & 5:7--#4830) -- "summerizomai" -- to share jointly, i.e.
participate in: -- be partaker with.

I Cor. 9:13 -- "...and they which wait at the altar share jointly in [the
things of] the altar?"

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH "partakers" as used in I Cor. 10:21
21--Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord...ye cannot be *partakers* of the
Lord's table...
"partakers"--Strong's #3348 (similarly used in I Cor. 9:12) -- "metecho" --
to share or participate; by implication belong to, eat (or drink): -- be
partaker, pertain, take part, use.

I Cor. 10:21 -- "...ye cannot eat of the Lord's table."

*** -- "summerizomai" & "metecho" two different words -- not synonyms, but
related.

Clearly, I Cor. 9:13-14 are NOT alluding to the OT practice of Levites
eating (partaking - "metecho") of the foods, etc. tithed by the people.
Those verses say that if a person wishes to minister about holy things
(together w/ verses 11 & 12) they must lay aside their carnality and *live
of the things of the temple*.


Anneliese
Seeking to find the *truth* behind the translation...