1 Corinthians 9:3

Answer. Gr. apologia, “apology,” “defense.” This is a legal term that was applied to a speech in defense of one who was on trial (see Acts 25:16; Phil. 1:7, 17; 2 Tim. 4:16). Here the word means Paul’s answer to those who sat in judgment upon his claim that he was an apostle. Fully realizing that it was by divine power that he had laid the foundations of the Corinthian church, Paul pointed to the believers themselves as the seal, or solemn confirmation, of his apostleship, his defense against all opponents.

Examine. Gr. anakrino, like apologia, a legal term applied to judges in courts, those who sit in judgment, and investigate and decide questions brought before them (see Luke 23:14; Acts 4:9; 24:8).

This. Commentators disagree as to whether the pronoun refers to what precedes (vs. 1, 2) or to what follows. Perhaps the lengthier discussion of the succeeding verses is more suitably introduced by this statement than the foregoing two verses are summarized by it. In that event, that which follows constitutes the defense that Paul presents to those who presumed to question his authority as an apostle. In vs. 4-6 he sets out the main objections that had been raised, and in the following verses shows that they are of no force.