91 Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in [the] Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet at any rate I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in [the] Lord.
3 My defence to those who examine me is this: 4 Have we not a right to eat and to drink? 5 have we not a right to take round a sister [as] wife, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I alone and Barnabas, have we not a right not to work? 7 Who ever carries on war at his own charges? who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? or who herds a flock and does not eat of the milk of the flock? 8 Do I speak these things as a man, or does not the law also say these things? 9 For in the law of Moses it is written, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that is treading out corn. Is God occupied about the oxen, 10 or does he say [it] altogether for our sakes? For for our sakes it has been written, that the plougher should plough in hope, and he that treads out corn, in hope of partaking of [it]. 11 If we have sown to you spiritual things, [is it a] great [thing] if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, should not rather we? But we have not used this right, but we bear all things, that we may put no hindrance in the way of the glad tidings of the Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they who labour [at] sacred things eat of the [offerings offered in the] temple; they that attend at the altar partake with the altar? 14 So also the Lord has ordained to those that announce the glad tidings to live of the glad tidings.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
(Read 1 Corinthians 9:1-14)
It is not new for a minister to meet with unkind returns for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services among them. To the cavils of some, the apostle answers, so as to set forth himself as an example of self-denial, for the good of others. He had a right to marry as well as other apostles, and to claim what was needful for his wife, and his children if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have food provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than hinder his success by claiming it. It is the people's duty to maintain their minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due support.