Add parallel Print Page Options

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we still more?(A)

Reason for Not Using His Rights. Yet we have not used this right.[a] On the contrary, we endure everything so as not to place an obstacle to the gospel of Christ.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9:12 It appears, too, that suspicion or misunderstanding has been created by Paul’s practice of not living from his preaching. The first reason he asserts in defense of this practice is an entirely apostolic one; it anticipates the developments to follow in 1 Cor 9:19–22. He will give a second reason in 1 Cor 9:15–18.

32 [a]Avoid giving offense, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God,

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 10:32–11:1 In summary, the general rule of mutually responsible use of their Christian freedom is enjoined first negatively (1 Cor 10:32), then positively, as exemplified in Paul (1 Cor 10:33), and finally grounded in Christ, the pattern for Paul’s behavior and theirs (1 Cor 11:1; cf. Rom 15:1–3).

20 This we desire to avoid, that anyone blame us[a] about this lavish gift administered by us, 21 for we are concerned for what is honorable not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of others.(A)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 8:20–22 That anyone blame us: 2 Cor 12:16–18 suggests that misunderstandings may indeed have arisen concerning Paul’s management of the collection through the messengers mentioned here, but those same verses seem to imply that the Corinthians by and large would recognize the honesty of Paul’s conduct in this area as in others (cf. 2 Cor 6:3).