Log inSign up

Favor · the best way to learn the Bible

1 Corinthians 9 Bible study: Am I not free?

1 Corinthians 9 asks, "Am I not free?" (9:1), and sets out a right, then says, "Nevertheless we didn’t use this right" (9:12). It uses the same word for free again: "For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more." (9:19).

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.

Read 1 Corinthians 9 with FavorWhat is Favor?

First week free, then $10 a month per person

“Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run like that, so that you may win.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 · World English Bible

Try it · Did you catch it?

“1 Corinthians 9:12 says, "Nevertheless we didn’t use this right".”

Is that in 1 Corinthians 9, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

Am I not free?

In the text

Favor's introduction to 1 Corinthians begins a new part of the letter here, Am I not free?, and its outline note counts these words among the letter's own turns. The chapter opens with four questions in one verse: "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Aren’t you my work in the Lord?" (9:1) (tap free). Then: "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." (9:2) (tap seal). And: "My defense to those who examine me is this:" (9:3) (tap defense). What follows in the WEB is a run of questions (9:4-8). The I of these verses is the letter's I: the letter opens with two senders (1:1), and these notes say no more about who speaks than the chapter does.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about 1 Corinthians 9

That was a taste

The rest of 1 Corinthians 9 is waiting in Favor

  • Have we no right?
  • Free from all
  • Run like that
  • A line that passes through here
  • In the law of Moses
  • Asked elsewhere in Favor
  • 13 questions as you read
  • 11 more Greek words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
Read the whole chapter

First week free, then $10 a month per person

The Greek word behind it

ἐξουσίαexousiasay ex-oo-SEE-ah

Strong's lists among its English words "authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength". "Have we no right to eat and to drink?" (9:4). This chapter has the noun six times (counted in RP2018); the catch Right, and authority sets out how the WEB gives it. Favor's 1 Corinthians 8 studies it where the WEB has liberty, and Favor's Mark 1 where it has authority. John's Gospel has it where the WEB has right: "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children" (John 1:12).

For your group

1 Corinthians 9 Bible study questions

  1. 1"Nevertheless we didn’t use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Good News of Christ." (9:12). When have you seen someone set aside something they could have had, for the sake of others? What did it show you?
  2. 2"For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more." (9:19). What do you think it looks like to be free and still serve others?
  3. 3"Run like that, so that you may win." (9:24). What does the picture of a race help you see about following Christ?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads 1 Corinthians 9 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

Start a Bible study
Free quizTake the 1 Corinthians 9 quizQuestions with the answers explained, for your group or your familyFree printablePrint this Bible studyOne page: the chapter, the verse, and the questions with room to write

Did we miss something?

We're a small team, and we can make mistakes. If something here looks wrong or unclear, tell us and we'll check it against the text.

Tell us

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

The best way to study the Bible.

Your small group or your church can use Favor for Bible study, or you can read by yourself.

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

How much does it cost?

Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.

Can I read 1 Corinthians 9 straight away?

Yes. 1 Corinthians 9 is open from your first day.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.

Which Bible does Favor use?

The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

Is Favor tied to a church?

No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

Start with 1 Corinthians 9

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

All Bible study guides

Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home