Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 9:23

23 And this I do for the gospels sake , that I might be partaker thereof with you .

Paul had two great ends, which he aimed at, in this denial of himself in these points of liberty; the one was the do [illegible: 3 letters] good to the Souls both of Jews and Gentiles, this he had before instanced in: the other was the glory of God, which is that which he here meaneth by this phrase, for the Gospels sake, which he before expounded v. 12. lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ. By Pauls tenacious adhering to one part in a thing wherein he had liberty, the Gospel, that is, the progress or success of the Gospel, might have been hindred, both by the reproaches of Enemies, and also by the alienation and estrangement of the hearts of weaker Christians, or laying stumbling-blocks before them, at which they might fall, being imboldened by the examples of their Guides, to do what (though lawful in it self) yet they judged unlawful.

I did it (saith he) that I might bring you into the fellowship of the Gospel, I had rather [illegible: 1 letter]o interpret it, than of the reward of the Gospel (as it pleaseth some.) The humility of the great Apostle is very remarkable; he disdaineth not to be [non-Latin text not transcribed], a partaker in the Gospel with the meanest Members of the Church; he is not ashamed to call those Brethren whom his Lord and Master is not ashamed so to call.