¹² If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

^(A)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things ^(B)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

¹² But what I do, I will also continue to do, ^(A)that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.

¹⁸ What is my reward then? That ^(A)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel ^[a]of Christ without charge, that I ^(B)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

¹⁵ But ^(A)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for ^(B)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

⁷ Did I commit sin in ^[a]humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you ^(A)free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. ⁹ And when I was present with you, and in need, ^(B)I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked ^(C)the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. ^10 (D)As the truth of Christ is in me, ^(E)no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread ^[a]free of charge, but worked with ^(A)labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not because we do not have ^(B)authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

^6 (A)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when ^(B)we might have ^(C)made demands ^(D)as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But ^(E)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. ⁸ So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased ^(F)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also ^(G)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember, brethren, our ^(H)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^(I)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

²⁰ For you put up with it ^(A)if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

^3 (A)We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.