1 Corinthians 9:12

If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

'If others partake of this right over you' -i.e. the right of financial support. Clearly, the Corinthians believed that evangelists had the right to be paid, for they had paid some "others"! Possibly Apollos and the "numberless guardians" of 1 Corinthians 4:15.

'do not we yet more?' -'have not we. stronger claim' (NEB) 'The concessions which you have made in supporting others having inferior claims debar you from thus denying apostolic claims.' (McGarvey p. 91)

At this point one might have expected Paul to say, "Therefore. will be looking for your check in the mail!" i.e. start supporting me. But he doesn't. Indicating that Paul isn't complaining about their lack of support. Rather the "support issue" has been all about "rights" and the proper use of them in certain situations. But before Paul could cite himself as an example of 1 Corinthians 8:13, he first had to establish that he had the "right", in which he is presenting forfeiting for the furtherance of the gospel.

'Nevertheless we did not use this right' -'Yet. have not used my right' (Con)

'but we bear all things' -(1 Corinthians 13:7) 'Paul had decided that he would endure many things which he did not have to endure (so far as his technical rights were concerned) rather than to hinder the gospel.' (Willis p. 290)

'bear' -'present tense says: "We do so right along, even now."' (Lenski p. 365)

We bear all the things that come from having to support ourselves. 'It is no easy burden this to preach and to teach and at the same time to earn enough to live and to travel from place to place.' (Lenski p. 365)

And let's remember that it was no easier for Paul, than it would be for any of us! But there was. principle that Paul held to, regardless of the cost involved.

'that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.'

'hindrance' -'so that. may not in any way hinder the progress of Christ's gospel' (Mon)

What this hindrance may have been in Corinth, i.e. why Paul chose not to accept wages from the Corinthians, isn't revealed. Many assume that there existed an element in Corinth that would of accused Paul of preaching only for the money. Unfortunately, some of the Corinthians seem displeased with whatever Paul did. (2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 12:13)

Point to Note:

1. Paul's personal example puts us to shame. He loved the gospel so much, he believed in the "cause" to the point, that he would rather suffer personal hardship than be guilty of impeding the progress of Christianity. Where has that spirit gone? Hindering the truth is. serious thing (Romans 1:18)

2. 'I cannot prevent my mind from thinking of all of the lukewarm Christians, hypocritical Christians, Christians involved in petty quarrels, etc..which have impeded the progress of God's word..' (Willis p. 291)

3. 'Paul is. man of. single passion, "the gospel of Christ". As he will explain in vv. 19-23, everything he is and does is "for the sake of the gospel". When it becomes. choice, therefore, between his "rights" and others' hearing the gospel, there is no choice at all; anything that would get in the way of someone's hearing the gospel for what it is, the good news of God's pardoning grace, can be easily laid aside.' (Fee p. 411)

'Men always judge. message by the life and character of the man who brings it; and Paul was determined that his hands would be clean..Someone once said to. preacher, "I cannot hear what you say for listening to what you are." No one could ever say that to Paul.' (Barclay p. 90)