tleship, vs. 1-3. Being an apostle, he had the same right to be supported and to have his family supported, had he chosen to many, as Peter or any other apostle, vs. 4-6. This right to adequate support he proves. First, from the principle which lies at the foundation of society, that the laborer is worthy of his reward, v. 7. Secondly, from the fact that this principle is recognized in the Old Testament, even in its application to brutes, vs. 8-10. Thirdly, from the principles of commutative justice, V. 11. Fourthly, from the fact that the Corinthians recognized this right in the case of other teachers, v. 12. Fifthly, from the universal recognition of the principle among all nations. Those who served the temple were supported from the temple, v. 13. Sixthly, from the express ordinance of Christ, who had ordained that those who preached the gospel should Hve by the gospel, v. 14. This undoubted right Paul had not availed himself of, and he was determined, especially at Corinth, not to avail himself of it in the future. By so do- ing he cut off occasion to question his motives, and gave him- self a ground of confidence in resisting his opponents which he was determined not to relinquish, vs. 15-18. This was not, however, the only case in which he abstained from the exer- cise of his rights for the good of others. He accommodated himself to Jews and Gentiles in every thing indifferent, that he might gain the more, vs. 19-23. Such self-denial the hea- then exercised to gain a corruptible crown — should not Chris- tians do as much to gain a crown that is incorruptible ? With- out self-denial and effort the prize of their high calling could never be attained, vs. 24-27.
1 . Am I not an apostle ? am I not free ? * have I not seen Jesus Christ om* Lord ? are not ye my work in the Lord ?
The order of the first two of these questions is reversed by most editors on satisfactory external and internal evidence. Am I not free f That is, am I not a Christian, invested with all the liberties wherewith Christ has made his people free ? Am I not as free as any other believer to regulate my conduct according to my o^vn convictions of what is right ; free from
* The MS. A. B., the great majority of the ancient versions, and many of the Fathers put i\evbepoi before on-otrToXoy, which is the natural order of the words, and which, after Griesbach, has been adopted by almost all editors.