1 Corinthians 9:15

“But I have used none of these things, etc.] Either none of these arguments or reasons, for a minister’s maintenance, taken from the reason of things, the law of Moses, the examples of the priests and Levites, and the order and appointment of Christ, in favour of himself, and that he might be provided for by them accordingly; or none of the things he had a right to do as other apostles, as to eat and drink at the public expense, to lead about with him a sister, a wife, had he any, and to forbear working with his own hands: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me; it was not on his own account that he gave these strong reasons, urged these instances, and so…”

“Paul's special gift of continency, which enabled him to abstain from marriage, and his ability to maintain himself without interrupting seriously his ministry, made that expedient to him which is ordinarily inexpedient; namely, that the ministry should not be supported by the people. What to him was a duty, would be the opposite to one, for instance, to whom God had committed a family, without other means of support. I have used none of these things--none of these "powers" or rights which I might have used (Co1 9:4-6, Co1 9:12). neither--rather, "Yet I have not written." so done unto me--literally, "in my case": as is done in the case of a soldier, a planter, a shepherd, a ploughman, and a…”

“But I have used none of these things - I have not urged and enforced this right. I have chosen to support myself by the labor of my own hands. This had been objected to him as a reason why he could not be an apostle. He here shows that that was not the reason why he had not; urged this claim; but that it was because in this way he could do most to honor the gospel and save the souls of people; compare Acts 20:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:8. The sense is, “Though my right to a support is established, in common with others, both by reason, the nature of the case, the examples in the law, and the command of the Lord Jesus, yet there are reasons why I have not chosen to avail myself of this right, and…”

“It were better for me to die than - To give occasion to them that seek occasion against me, Co2 11:12. 1 Corinthians 9:17”

“9:15 Paul had never pressed his rights, nor was he now seeking to do so. Rather, he was illustrating the importance of giving up one’s rights for the sake of others (cp. 8:13).”

“I have: Co1 9:12, Co1 4:12; Act 8:3, Act 20:34; Th1 2:9; Th2 3:8 neither: Co2 11:9-12, Co2 12:13-18 for: Mat 18:6; Act 20:24; Phi 1:20-23 1 Corinthians 9:16”