Honor the Elders

¹⁷ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, ^(A)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, ^(B)“The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

^7 (A)And remain in the same house, ^(B)eating and drinking such things as they give, for ^(C)the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

¹⁰ nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; ^(A)for a worker is worthy of his food.

^11 (A)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? ¹² If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

^(B)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things ^(C)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. ^13 (D)Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the ^(E)temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? ¹⁴ Even so ^(F)the Lord has commanded ^(G)that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

¹⁵ But ^(H)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for ^(I)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for ^(J)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this willingly, ^(K)I have a reward; but if against my will, ^(L)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? That ^(M)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel ^[a]of Christ without charge, that I ^(N)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.