The apostle illustrates the duty of foregoing the exercise of our rights for the good of others, by a reference to his giving up his undoubted right to be supported by the church, vs. 1-18. He shows that in other ways he ac- commodated himself to the opinions and prejudices of others, 19-23. He reminds his readers that nothing good or great could be attained without self-denial, vs. 24-27.
The right of ministers to an adequate maintenance. The
necessity of self-denial. . Vs. 1-27.
Having in the preceding chapter urged on the strong the duty of foregoing the use of their rights for the sake of their weaker brethren, the apostle shows how he had acted on that principle. He was an apostle, and therefore had all the rights of an apostle. His apostleship was abundantly clear, because he had seen the Lord Jesus and was his immediate messenger ; and his divine mission had been confirmed, at least among the Corinthians, beyond dispute. They were the seal of his apos-