“Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? — The triple rhetorical question establishes the principle from common practice: soldiers, vintners, shepherds all benefit from their work. The logic is simple: labor merits compensation. If the vineyard owner eats, and the shepherd drinks, surely the gospel worker should be supported.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 9:7
“What soldier ever serves at his own charges?” For since, which was the strongest point, he had proved from the Apostles that it is lawful to do so, he next comes to examples and to the common practice; as he uses to do: “What soldier serves at his own charges?” says he. But do thou consider, I pray, how very suitable are the examples to his proposed subject, and how he mentions first that which is accompanied with danger; viz. soldiership and arms and wars. For such a kind…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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