1 Corinthians 9:12, commentary and pictures

It is God's will for ministers of the gospel to receive material support from those for whom they labor, for those who sow spiritual things have a right to reap material things. That right belongs even more strongly to those who do spiritual labor, including Paul and his fellow apostles who served the Corinthian believers with spiritual things, and it entitles all who preach the gospel, whether men or women, to a just reward for their services. Ministers who give their time and thought and labor to the Master's service have just as much right to wages as workers in publishing houses and other employments, and should receive their due from the tithe in wages sufficient to supply their families with food and clothing, while to pay them meager wages is robbery. The minister himself is required to pay tithe according to his ability.

The right to support covers the extra cost of the minister's work without leaving him in debt with no surplus, including traveling from place to place, wearing more expensive clothing, leading out in donations where he labors, defraying expenses of tents, providing his own food, supporting a family at home while separated from them, pledging to enterprises, and eating whatever fare is set before him in new fields. Paul had a rightful claim as an apostle and gospel worker to receive support from the churches and especially from the Corinthian believers. He and his fellow workers deliberately chose not to use that power and instead endured hardship. He forwent support lest receiving it should hinder the gospel of Christ and harm the usefulness and success of his ministry.

He forwent support to give believers, opponents, and enemies no grounds to suspect that he preached for financial gain and to question his motives, which would weaken the force of the message. He forwent support and worked at his trade rather than burden churches already pressed by poverty. He supported himself by making tents and worked to provide for his own needs and those of others, even while carrying out his apostolic ministry and despite its demands and his poor health. His example dignifies honest labor, shows that honest industry is honorable in Christian ministry, rebukes ministerial idleness, and models how ministers may willingly forgo their rights to advance the gospel.