009:001

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

009:002

Mine answer to them that do examine me is this

009:003

Have we not power to eat and to drink

009:004

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

009:005

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working

009:006

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

009:007

Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also

009:008

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

009:009

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

009:010

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things

009:011

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

009:012

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

009:013

Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel

009:014

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

009:015

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

009:016

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

009:017

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

009:018

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more

009:019

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

009:020

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

009:021

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

009:022

And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you

009:023

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain

009:024

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

009:025

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air

009:026

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