The claim that Paul explicitly cites only two teachings of Jesus (as direct dominical commands) is a common observation in critical scholarship. The two passages typically identified are:
1) Preachers should receive material support
Paul explicitly attributes this teaching to “the Lord”:
- 1 Corinthians 9:14 (NRSV)“In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
This is widely understood to reflect a saying of Jesus preserved in the Gospel tradition:
- Luke 10:7 (NRSV)“Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid.”
- Matthew 10:10 (NRSV)“…for laborers deserve their food.”
Critical scholars such as James D. G. Dunn note that Paul’s wording strongly suggests dependence on an established Jesus tradition (Dunn, The Theology of Paul the Apostle, p. 607).
2) Prohibition of divorce
Paul again distinguishes this as a command from Jesus himself:
- 1 Corinthians 7:10–11 (NRSV)“To the married I give this command—not I but the Lord—that the wife should not separate from her husband… and that the husband should not divorce his wife.”
This corresponds closely to sayings in the Synoptic Gospels:
- Mark 10:11–12 (NRSV)“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her…”
- Matthew 19:6 (NRSV)“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Scholars such as Bart D. Ehrman emphasize that this is one of the clearest places where Paul explicitly appeals to a known teaching of the historical Jesus rather than offering his own apostolic judgment (Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction, ch. 23).
Clarifying the scope of the claim
- These are the only two places where Paul explicitly says he is quoting or passing on a command “from the Lord” (i.e., Jesus) in his undisputed letters.
- Elsewhere, Paul may echo or allude to Jesus’ teachings (e.g., on loving one’s neighbor in Romans 13:8–10), but he does not explicitly attribute those to Jesus in the same direct way.
Summary
The two passages generally cited are:
- 1 Corinthians 9:14 → support for ministers
- 1 Corinthians 7:10–11 → prohibition of divorce
Both are explicitly marked by Paul as coming from “the Lord,” and both align with independently preserved Gospel traditions, which is why critical scholars treat them as strong evidence that Paul knew at least some teachings of Jesus.
