What Paul deliberately avoided was not so much oratory excellence, but the attitude and values of the sophists, a professional class of itinerant teachers who promoted themselves for fame and fortune.25 In contrast to them, Paul refused to allow adherents of his doctrines to call themselves by his name; they were to identify with Christ, not Paul (1 Cor 1:12–13; 3:21–23).26 Similarly, Paul foreswore his right to be paid for his preaching, although he undoubtedly could have made a comfortable living