1 Corinthians 9:6

“Or I only and Barnabas, etc.] Who were for a great while companions and fellow travellers; are we alone? are we exempted from those rights and privileges, common to others? have not we power to forbear working? that is, with their hands, at their trades and occupations, to get their living by: Paul worked at his trade, and so it seems Barnabas did likewise: Paul wrought with his hands at Corinth, in company with Aquila and Priscilla, they being tentmakers as he, (<441803>Acts 18:3) and so he did in other places; he appeals for the truth of this to the elders of the church at Ephesus, (<442034>Acts 20:34) and to the church of the Thessalonians, (<520209>1 Thessalonians 2:9 <530308>2…”

“Barnabas--long the associate of Paul, and, like him, in the habit of self-denyingly forbearing to claim the maintenance which is a minister's right. So Paul supported himself by tent-making (Act 18:3; Act 20:34; Th1 2:9; Th2 3:8).”

“Or I only and Barnabas - Paul and Barnabas had worked together as tent-makers at Corinth; Acts 18:3. From this fact it had been inferred that they “knew” that they had no claim to a support. Power to forbear working - To abstain from labor, and to receive support as others do. The question implies a strong affirmation that they had such power. The sense is, ‘Why should I and Barnabas be regarded as having no right to support? Have we been less faithful than others? Have we done less? Have we given fewer evidences that we are sent by the Lord, or that God approves us in our work? Have we been less successful? Why then should we be singled out; and why should it be supposed that we are obliged…”

“To forbear working - With our hands. 1 Corinthians 9:8”

“Barnabas: Act 4:36, Act 11:22, Act 13:1, Act 13:2, Act 13:50, Act 14:12, Act 15:36, Act 15:37 have: Co1 4:11, Co1 4:12; Act 18:3, Act 20:34, Act 20:35; Th1 2:9; Th2 3:7-9 1 Corinthians 9:7”