Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Wait, are Barnabas and I the only ones who don't have the right to stop working and get supported by the church?
Paul's basically asking why he and Barnabas are the only ones still working day jobs while doing ministry.
📚 Historical Context
In the early days of the Christian church, apostles like Paul and Barnabas traveled to spread the Gospel and were entitled to financial support from the communities they served, as this was a common practice for religious teachers in that culture. Paul wrote this verse in his letter to the Corinthians to defend his apostolic rights, pointing out that he and Barnabas had the option to stop manual labor if they wished, but they chose not to in order to avoid any appearance of greed or dependency. This context reflects Paul's broader defense of his ministry amid criticisms from the Corinthian church.
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