John Calvin on 1 Corinthians 9:12

12. If others assume this power over you Again he establishes his own right from the example of others. For why should he alone be denied what others assumed as their due? For as no one labored more than he among the Corinthians, no one was more deserving of a reward. He does not, however, make mention of what he has done, but of what he would have done in accordance with his right, if he had not of his own accord refrained from using it.

But we have not used this power. He returns now to the point on which the matter hinges — that he had of his own accord given up that power which no one could refuse him, and that he was prepared rather to suffer all things, than by the use of his liberty throw any impediment in the way of the progress of the gospel. He wishes, therefore, that the Corinthians should, after his example, keep this end in view — to do nothing that would hinder or retard the progress of the gospel; for what he declares respecting himself it was their duty to perform according to their station; and he confirms here what he had said previously — that we must consider what is expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12.)

1 Corinthians 9:13-22

13. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple; and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

13. Nescitis, quod qui sacris operantur, ex sacrario “Des choses qui sont sacrifiees;” — “Of the things that are sacrificed.” edunt? et qui altari ministrant (ad verbum: adstant) altaris sunt participes?

14. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

14. Sic et Dominns ordinavit, ut qui Evangelium annuntiant, vivant ex Evangelio.

15. 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.

15. Ego autem nullo horum usus sum: neque vero haec scripsi, ut ita mihi fiat: mihi enim satius est mori, quam ut gloriam meam quis exinaniat.

16. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, iflpreach not the gospel!

16. Nam si evangelizavero, non est quod glorier: quandoquidem necessitas mihi incumbit, ut vae sit mihi, si non evangelizem.

17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

17. Si enim volens hoc facio, mercedem habeo: si autem invitus, dispensatio mihi eat credita.

18. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

18. Quae igitur mihi merces? ut quum evangelizo, gratuitum impendam Evangelium Christi, ut non abutar potestate mea in Evangelio.

19. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

19. Liber enim quum essem ab omnibus, servum me omnibus feci, ut plures lucrifaciam.

20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

20. Itaque factus sum Iudaeis tanquam Iudaeus, ut Iudaeos lucrifaciam: iis qui sub Lege erant, tanquam Legi subiectus, ut eos qui erant sub Lege lucrifaciam;

21. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

21. his qui sine Lege erant, tanquam exlex, (tametsi non absque Lege, Deo, sed subiectus Legi Christi,) ut eos qui sine Lege erant lucrifaciam.

22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

22. Factus sum infirmis tanquam infirmus, ut infirmos lucrifaciam: omnibus omnis factus sum, ut omnino aliquos servem.