1 Corinthians 9:15 Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give a...

9:15 MSG

Parallel Verses

The Message - Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or question my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don’t even have to pay my expenses!
新标点和合本 - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 但这权利我全然没有用过。我写这些话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不让人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 但这权利我全然没有用过。我写这些话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不让人使我所夸的落了空。
当代译本 - 但是，我完全没有使用这权利，如今我谈这些事，并不是要你们这样待我。因为我宁死也不要让人抹杀我所夸耀的。
圣经新译本 - 但这种权利，我一点也没有用过。我写这些话，并不是想叫人这样待我，因为我宁可死，也不让人使我所夸耀的落了空。
中文标准译本 - 但是，这些权利我一个也没有用过。我写这些并不是要人这样对待我，因为我宁愿死，也不愿意任何人使我所夸耀的落了空。
现代标点和合本 - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死，也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本（拼音版） - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
New International Version - But I have not used any of these rights. 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.
New International Reader's Version - But I haven’t used any of those rights. And I’m not writing because I hope you will do things like that for me. I would rather die than allow anyone to take away my pride in my work.
English Standard Version - But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
New Living Translation - Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.
Christian Standard Bible - For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
New American Standard Bible - But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make my boast an empty one!
New King James Version - But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
Amplified Bible - But I have used none of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me now. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone deprive me of my boast [in this matter of financial support].
American Standard Version - But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
King James Version - But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
New English Translation - But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than – no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!
World English Bible - But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
新標點和合本 - 但這權柄我全沒有用過。我寫這話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不叫人使我所誇的落了空。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 但這權利我全然沒有用過。我寫這些話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不讓人使我所誇的落了空。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 但這權利我全然沒有用過。我寫這些話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不讓人使我所誇的落了空。
當代譯本 - 但是，我完全沒有使用這權利，如今我談這些事，並不是要你們這樣待我。因為我寧死也不要讓人抹煞我所誇耀的。
聖經新譯本 - 但這種權利，我一點也沒有用過。我寫這些話，並不是想叫人這樣待我，因為我寧可死，也不讓人使我所誇耀的落了空。
呂振中譯本 - 至於我呢、這些個、我全沒享用過。我寫了這些話，並不是要人這樣待我。我寧可死，也不願意人使我的誇耀落了空。
中文標準譯本 - 但是，這些權利我一個也沒有用過。我寫這些並不是要人這樣對待我，因為我寧願死，也不願意任何人使我所誇耀的落了空。
現代標點和合本 - 但這權柄我全沒有用過。我寫這話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死，也不叫人使我所誇的落了空。
文理和合譯本 - 此權我皆未行之、今書此、非欲爾如是待我、蓋我寧死、不使我所詡者歸於虛也、
文理委辦譯本 - 然我不為之、我遺書、非欲得此、蓋余寧死、不可使吾所自詡者、歸於烏有、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 然此諸權、我悉未用、且我書此、非欲爾如是以待我、我寧死、不可使我所誇者歸於虛、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 顧我本人迄未利用此制；吾之書此、亦非欲為己有所主張。何則、我寧死、不願人毀我之榮也。
Nueva Versión Internacional - Pero no me he aprovechado de ninguno de estos derechos, ni escribo de esta manera porque quiera reclamarlos. Prefiero morir a que alguien me prive de este motivo de orgullo.
현대인의 성경 - 그러나 나는 이런 권리를 하나도 사용하지 않았습니다. 그리고 여러분이 나에게 그렇게 해 달라는 뜻에서 내가 이 말을 하는 것이 아닙니다. 나는 죽는 한이 있더라도 내가 자랑으로 여기는 것을 아무도 헛되게 하지 못하게 할 것입니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Mais moi, je n’ai fait valoir aucun de ces droits. Et si je les mentionne ici, ce n’est pas pour les revendiquer ; je préférerais mourir plutôt que de me laisser ravir ce sujet de fierté.
リビングバイブル - けれども、私はあなたがたにわずかなお金も要求したことはありません。今からでもそうしてほしいと、ほのめかしているのでもありません。実際、無報酬で主のために働くという誇りを失うくらいなら、私は飢え死にしたほうがましです。
Nestle Aland 28 - Ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ κέχρημαι οὐδενὶ τούτων. Οὐκ ἔγραψα δὲ ταῦτα, ἵνα οὕτως γένηται ἐν ἐμοί· καλὸν γάρ μοι μᾶλλον ἀποθανεῖν ἤ – τὸ καύχημά μου οὐδεὶς κενώσει.
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ κέχρημαι οὐδενὶ τούτων. οὐκ ἔγραψα δὲ ταῦτα, ἵνα οὕτως γένηται ἐν ἐμοί; καλὸν γάρ μοι μᾶλλον ἀποθανεῖν, ἤ τὸ καύχημά μου οὐδεὶς κενώσει.
Nova Versão Internacional - Mas eu não tenho usado de nenhum desses direitos. Não estou escrevendo na esperança de que vocês façam isso por mim. Prefiro morrer a permitir que alguém me prive deste meu orgulho.
Hoffnung für alle - Trotzdem habe ich darauf verzichtet und nichts von alledem verlangt. Ich schreibe das nicht, weil ich in Zukunft etwas von euch haben möchte. Lieber würde ich verhungern, als dass ich mir meinen Grund, mich zu rühmen, von irgendjemand nehmen ließe.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Tôi chẳng dùng quyền ấy, nay viết thư này cũng không buộc anh chị em phải cung cấp cho tôi. Vì tôi thà chết đói còn hơn bị mất niềm hãnh diện này.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - แต่ข้าพเจ้าไม่เคยใช้สิทธิ์ใดๆ เหล่านี้เลย และที่ข้าพเจ้าเขียนมานี้ ข้าพเจ้าก็ไม่ได้หวังให้ท่านทำเช่นนั้นแก่ข้าพเจ้า ข้าพเจ้ายอมตายเสียดีกว่าให้ใครมาพรากสิ่งเชิดหน้าชูตาข้อนี้ไป
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - แต่ข้าพเจ้ายังไม่ได้ใช้สิทธิ์เหล่านี้ และข้าพเจ้าได้เขียนเรื่องนี้มาโดยไม่ได้หวังที่จะให้ท่านปฏิบัติต่อข้าพเจ้า ข้าพเจ้ายอมตายเสียดีกว่า ที่จะให้ใครมายับยั้งเหตุผลของการโอ้อวดของข้าพเจ้า

Cross Reference

Philippians 1:22 - As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.
2 Corinthians 12:14 - Everything is in readiness now for this, my third visit to you. But don’t worry about it; you won’t have to put yourselves out. I’ll be no more of a bother to you this time than on the other visits. I have no interest in what you have—only in you. Children shouldn’t have to look out for their parents; parents look out for the children. I’d be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good. So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I’m loved?
2 Corinthians 12:16 - And why is it that I keep coming across these whiffs of gossip about how my self-support was a front behind which I worked an elaborate scam? Where’s the evidence? Did I cheat or trick you through anyone I sent? I asked Titus to visit, and sent some brothers along. Did they swindle you out of anything? And haven’t we always been just as aboveboard, just as honest?
Matthew 18:6 - “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.
Acts 8:3 - And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!
1 Corinthians 9:12 - But we’re not going to start demanding now what we’ve always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. All I’m concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.
2 Corinthians 11:12 - And I’m not changing my position on this. I’d die before taking your money. I’m giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing “preachers,” vaunting themselves as something special. They’re a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ’s agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They’ll pay for it in the end.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 - You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

Parallel Verses

Cross Reference

The Message - Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or question my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don’t even have to pay my expenses!
新标点和合本 - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 但这权利我全然没有用过。我写这些话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不让人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 但这权利我全然没有用过。我写这些话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不让人使我所夸的落了空。
当代译本 - 但是，我完全没有使用这权利，如今我谈这些事，并不是要你们这样待我。因为我宁死也不要让人抹杀我所夸耀的。
圣经新译本 - 但这种权利，我一点也没有用过。我写这些话，并不是想叫人这样待我，因为我宁可死，也不让人使我所夸耀的落了空。
中文标准译本 - 但是，这些权利我一个也没有用过。我写这些并不是要人这样对待我，因为我宁愿死，也不愿意任何人使我所夸耀的落了空。
现代标点和合本 - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死，也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
和合本（拼音版） - 但这权柄我全没有用过。我写这话，并非要你们这样待我，因为我宁可死也不叫人使我所夸的落了空。
New International Version - But I have not used any of these rights. 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.
New International Reader's Version - But I haven’t used any of those rights. And I’m not writing because I hope you will do things like that for me. I would rather die than allow anyone to take away my pride in my work.
English Standard Version - But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
New Living Translation - Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.
Christian Standard Bible - For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast!
New American Standard Bible - But I have used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make my boast an empty one!
New King James Version - But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
Amplified Bible - But I have used none of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me now. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone deprive me of my boast [in this matter of financial support].
American Standard Version - But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
King James Version - But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
New English Translation - But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than – no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!
World English Bible - But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
新標點和合本 - 但這權柄我全沒有用過。我寫這話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不叫人使我所誇的落了空。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 但這權利我全然沒有用過。我寫這些話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不讓人使我所誇的落了空。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 但這權利我全然沒有用過。我寫這些話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死也不讓人使我所誇的落了空。
當代譯本 - 但是，我完全沒有使用這權利，如今我談這些事，並不是要你們這樣待我。因為我寧死也不要讓人抹煞我所誇耀的。
聖經新譯本 - 但這種權利，我一點也沒有用過。我寫這些話，並不是想叫人這樣待我，因為我寧可死，也不讓人使我所誇耀的落了空。
呂振中譯本 - 至於我呢、這些個、我全沒享用過。我寫了這些話，並不是要人這樣待我。我寧可死，也不願意人使我的誇耀落了空。
中文標準譯本 - 但是，這些權利我一個也沒有用過。我寫這些並不是要人這樣對待我，因為我寧願死，也不願意任何人使我所誇耀的落了空。
現代標點和合本 - 但這權柄我全沒有用過。我寫這話，並非要你們這樣待我，因為我寧可死，也不叫人使我所誇的落了空。
文理和合譯本 - 此權我皆未行之、今書此、非欲爾如是待我、蓋我寧死、不使我所詡者歸於虛也、
文理委辦譯本 - 然我不為之、我遺書、非欲得此、蓋余寧死、不可使吾所自詡者、歸於烏有、
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 然此諸權、我悉未用、且我書此、非欲爾如是以待我、我寧死、不可使我所誇者歸於虛、
吳經熊文理聖詠與新經全集 - 顧我本人迄未利用此制；吾之書此、亦非欲為己有所主張。何則、我寧死、不願人毀我之榮也。
Nueva Versión Internacional - Pero no me he aprovechado de ninguno de estos derechos, ni escribo de esta manera porque quiera reclamarlos. Prefiero morir a que alguien me prive de este motivo de orgullo.
현대인의 성경 - 그러나 나는 이런 권리를 하나도 사용하지 않았습니다. 그리고 여러분이 나에게 그렇게 해 달라는 뜻에서 내가 이 말을 하는 것이 아닙니다. 나는 죽는 한이 있더라도 내가 자랑으로 여기는 것을 아무도 헛되게 하지 못하게 할 것입니다.
Новый Русский Перевод - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Но я не воспользовался ничем подобным, да и теперь я пишу всё это не для того, чтобы вы оказывали мне такую поддержку. Да я готов скорее умереть! Никто не может лишить меня права хвалиться этим.
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Mais moi, je n’ai fait valoir aucun de ces droits. Et si je les mentionne ici, ce n’est pas pour les revendiquer ; je préférerais mourir plutôt que de me laisser ravir ce sujet de fierté.
リビングバイブル - けれども、私はあなたがたにわずかなお金も要求したことはありません。今からでもそうしてほしいと、ほのめかしているのでもありません。実際、無報酬で主のために働くという誇りを失うくらいなら、私は飢え死にしたほうがましです。
Nestle Aland 28 - Ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ κέχρημαι οὐδενὶ τούτων. Οὐκ ἔγραψα δὲ ταῦτα, ἵνα οὕτως γένηται ἐν ἐμοί· καλὸν γάρ μοι μᾶλλον ἀποθανεῖν ἤ – τὸ καύχημά μου οὐδεὶς κενώσει.
unfoldingWord® Greek New Testament - ἐγὼ δὲ οὐ κέχρημαι οὐδενὶ τούτων. οὐκ ἔγραψα δὲ ταῦτα, ἵνα οὕτως γένηται ἐν ἐμοί; καλὸν γάρ μοι μᾶλλον ἀποθανεῖν, ἤ τὸ καύχημά μου οὐδεὶς κενώσει.
Nova Versão Internacional - Mas eu não tenho usado de nenhum desses direitos. Não estou escrevendo na esperança de que vocês façam isso por mim. Prefiro morrer a permitir que alguém me prive deste meu orgulho.
Hoffnung für alle - Trotzdem habe ich darauf verzichtet und nichts von alledem verlangt. Ich schreibe das nicht, weil ich in Zukunft etwas von euch haben möchte. Lieber würde ich verhungern, als dass ich mir meinen Grund, mich zu rühmen, von irgendjemand nehmen ließe.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Tôi chẳng dùng quyền ấy, nay viết thư này cũng không buộc anh chị em phải cung cấp cho tôi. Vì tôi thà chết đói còn hơn bị mất niềm hãnh diện này.
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - แต่ข้าพเจ้าไม่เคยใช้สิทธิ์ใดๆ เหล่านี้เลย และที่ข้าพเจ้าเขียนมานี้ ข้าพเจ้าก็ไม่ได้หวังให้ท่านทำเช่นนั้นแก่ข้าพเจ้า ข้าพเจ้ายอมตายเสียดีกว่าให้ใครมาพรากสิ่งเชิดหน้าชูตาข้อนี้ไป
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - แต่ข้าพเจ้ายังไม่ได้ใช้สิทธิ์เหล่านี้ และข้าพเจ้าได้เขียนเรื่องนี้มาโดยไม่ได้หวังที่จะให้ท่านปฏิบัติต่อข้าพเจ้า ข้าพเจ้ายอมตายเสียดีกว่า ที่จะให้ใครมายับยั้งเหตุผลของการโอ้อวดของข้าพเจ้า

Philippians 1:22 - As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.
2 Corinthians 12:14 - Everything is in readiness now for this, my third visit to you. But don’t worry about it; you won’t have to put yourselves out. I’ll be no more of a bother to you this time than on the other visits. I have no interest in what you have—only in you. Children shouldn’t have to look out for their parents; parents look out for the children. I’d be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good. So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I’m loved?
2 Corinthians 12:16 - And why is it that I keep coming across these whiffs of gossip about how my self-support was a front behind which I worked an elaborate scam? Where’s the evidence? Did I cheat or trick you through anyone I sent? I asked Titus to visit, and sent some brothers along. Did they swindle you out of anything? And haven’t we always been just as aboveboard, just as honest?
Matthew 18:6 - “But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck. Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time! Hard times are inevitable, but you don’t have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.
Acts 8:3 - And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God’s action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!
1 Corinthians 9:12 - But we’re not going to start demanding now what we’ve always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. All I’m concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.
2 Corinthians 11:12 - And I’m not changing my position on this. I’d die before taking your money. I’m giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing “preachers,” vaunting themselves as something special. They’re a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ’s agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They’ll pay for it in the end.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 - You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn’t have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God’s Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren’t freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.