12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.p On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinderq the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?r 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.s

15 But I have not used any of these rights.t And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.u 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.v Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;w if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.x 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,y and so not make full use of my rightsz as a preacher of the gospel.