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1Co 9:1 ¶ Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 ¶ Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Some people think that ministers must live by rules different and more austere than "just plain Christians." In this passage, Paul lets everyone know that he, and all other ministers of God, have the same rights as anyone else. He has the right to choose to support himself or let himself be supported by the church and, he has the right either to marry or abstain from marriage.
The fact that he chose not to be a burden on the church as far as support was concerned (2 Thess.3:8) did not make it a rule for either himself or others. The fact that he chose not to marry did not make celibacy a rule, either.
9:7-18 Ministers Have Liberty Regarding Support
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 ¶ But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
It is both reasonable and proper for the church to support good, solid, Bible believing ministers because:
1. A soldier is paid to fight, and a minister of the gospel is a warrior for Christ.
2. A farmer enjoys the fruit of his fields. A minister plants the seed of the word of God and nurtures the tender young Christians as they grow.
3. A shepherd uses the produce of his flock; however, he shouldn't fleece them (1 Pet.5:2).
4. Old Testament priests ministering in God's business, lived off the things of the temple.
9:19-27 Paul's Example of Christian Liberty
19 ¶ For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 ¶ Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
After stating his rights in these matters, Paul goes on to say that he has not used all of his rights because he did not want to hinder the work of the gospel by giving any one faction reasons to criticize him.
By remaining independent in these matters he was able to minster to different groups without being associated with any particular one group. He could behave like a Jew when dealing with Jews and behave like a Gentile when dealing with Gentiles. He could appear to have the same opinions as weaker Christians when ministering to them thereby building rapport with them.
Also, he was maintaining a strict self-discipline by not allowing himself to become soft, thereby keeping his ministry from being disapproved by either man or God.
In all of these things Paul followed the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Though the 20th Century minister's job is nothing like Paul's apostolic ministry, the modern minister is to follow Paul's example in matters of Christian testimony, not giving anyone, especially God, reason to disapprove him and/or remove him from his ministry.