Acts 20:34
New International Version
34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(A)
1 Corinthians 4:12
New International Version
12 We work hard with our own hands.(A) When we are cursed, we bless;(B) when we are persecuted,(C) we endure it;
1 Corinthians 9:14-27
New International Version
14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(A)
15 But I have not used any of these rights.(B) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(C) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(D) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(E) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(F) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(G) and so not make full use of my rights(H) as a preacher of the gospel.
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free(I) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(J) to win as many as possible.(K) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(L) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(M) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(N) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(O) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(P) I have become all things to all people(Q) so that by all possible means I might save some.(R) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
The Need for Self-Discipline
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(S) Run(T) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(U) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(V) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(W) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(X) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(Y) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(Z)
2 Corinthians 11:7
New International Version
7 Was it a sin(A) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God(B) to you free of charge?(C)
2 Corinthians 12:13
New International Version
13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(A) Forgive me this wrong!(B)
1 Thessalonians 2:9
New International Version
9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked(A) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone(B) while we preached the gospel of God to you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
New International Version
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,(A) just as we told you,
2 Thessalonians 3:8
New International Version
8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(A) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
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