IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

First, the hope of sharing in the harvest (1-12a). Paul was a free man. He was free through Jesus Christ, and he was called to be an apostle. He was especially an apostle to the church at Corinth, a church that he was largely responsible for planting. Paul endured much criticism in his life as an apostle, but he served and worked hard as one who had the right to share in God's blessings, both material and spiritual. Paul was God's servant. He had a right to share in the harvest of this life, but he lived as one with the hope of sharing in the harvest of God's kingdom.

Second, I have not used any of these rights (12b-18). While Paul had a right to many things, he did not make use of his rights, and he did not make use of those he preached to. Instead he did all things to promote the gospel work without hindrance. He was compelled to preach the gospel, and he did so as one who was charged with such a trust by the Lord himself. He didn't preach the gospel with the hope of any earthly reward or benefit. His reward was the right to preach the gospel free of charge.