91 Am not I an apostle? am not I free? Jesus Christ our Lord have I not seen? my work are not ye in the Lord? 2 if to others I am not an apostle—yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 My defence to those who examine me in this; 4 have we not authority to eat and to drink? 5 have we not authority a sister—a wife—to lead about, as also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority—not to work? 7 who doth serve as a soldier at his own charges at any time? who doth plant a vineyard, and of its fruit doth not eat? or who doth feed a flock, and of the milk of the flock doth not eat? 8 According to man do I speak these things? or doth not also the law say these things? 9 for in the law of Moses it hath been written, 'thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care? 10 or because of us by all means doth He say 'it'? yes, because of us it was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading 'ought' of his hope to partake in hope. 11 If we to you the spiritual things did sow—great 'is it' if we your fleshly things do reap? 12 if others do partake of the authority over you—not we more? but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no hindrance to the good news of the Christ. 13 Have ye not known that those working about the things of the temple—of the temple do eat, and those waiting at the altar—with the altar are partakers? 14 so also did the Lord direct to those proclaiming the good news: of the good news to live.
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.