“Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living? — Paul and Barnabas are singled out as exceptions: they work for their own sustenance (ergonmai = labor, work). The right to be supported is granted; their choice not to exercise it is voluntary, not forced by some lower status. Paul's self-support will be the focus of the following argument.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 9:6
“Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working?” (See his humility of mind and his soul pure from envy, how he takes care not to conceal him whom he knew to be a partaker with himself in this perfection.) For if the other things be common, how is not this common? Both they and we are apostles and are free, and have seen Christ, and have exhibited the works of Apostles. Therefore we likewise have a right both to live without working and to be supported by our…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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