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us as other apostles do and claim that they should also be supported by the community.
(3) We need not work for our living, but have a right to maintenance from the churches.
As soldier on service expects to be maintained. Why not an apostle? The owner of a
vineyard expects nourishment from the ground on which he bestows his labour. Why not
an apostle? A herdsman who looks after cattle expects some of the milk the flock yields.
Why not an apostle? These human analogies are right to the point. But there is
something even stronger, namely, the teaching of Scripture:
"Saith not the law also the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not
muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth, or saith
He it altogether for our sake" (9: 8-10 R.V.).
It was only natural that an animal when threshing should take what mouthfuls of food
it wanted while it was working. God had this in mind in the law, but also something
more. Is He not speaking simply on our account, asks the Apostle? If the farm worker
expects practical results from his labours, should not an apostle, who has sown spiritual
things, expect the necessary material things? If others share in authority over you
Corinthians, should not I the more? (who was the means used for the founding of the
church at Corinth?). "Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things
(i.e. endure hardship, etc.), that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ"
(verse 12 R.V.).
At last Paul comes to his main point. If he did not claim the full rights of an apostle, it
was no reflection on his true apostleship. He refrained in the interests of the Gospel
itself. Others might appear to make a good thing out of their missionary work at Corinth
and so give a bad impression to the outsider. The Apostle took great care that this kind of
conduct could never truthfully be leveled at him. He would rather work night and day
with his own hands at tent-making and so be independent, rather than the enemies of truth
should make capital out of the exercise of his apostolic rights.
How wise was this man! True wisdom is what we all need in abundance if our
Christian witness is not to be spoiled by human failing or short-sightedness.