This rhetorical question is similar in form to that in verse 4. The translations wife or “a sister as wife” (Revised Standard Version footnote) are too literal, for in many cultures the word “sister” would be misunderstood. Therefore Good News Bible‘s translation “Christian wife” is preferable. Some manuscripts omit the word for “sister,” possibly correctly, but the UBS text includes it.

The language of the first half of the Greek sentence is condensed. This is typical of Paul’s writing. He expresses two thoughts: (a) “Do we not have the right to marry on condition that our wife is a Christian?” and (b) “Do we not have the right to take a wife with us on our travels?”

The other apostles probably means “other than myself.” There is no doubt that Paul included Peter among the apostles, and this verse suggests that Paul also considered that the brothers of Jesus were apostles (so Fee).

Here brothers means literally men who have at least the same father (contrast 1.1, for example).

As in 1.12, it is better to translate Cephas as “Peter” (Good News Bible).

In many languages this verse will need to be considerably restructured as Good News Bible has done.

An alternative translation model is the following:
• Since the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Peter take their wives with them when they travel, I have this right too.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .