1 Corinthians 9:6

Barnabas. Barnabas was a landowner of the island of Cyprus, who united with the church in Jerusalem, sharing his wealth with the poorer believers (Acts 4:36, 37). Later he was sent to look after the growing interests in Antioch (Acts 11:22). Feeling the need of additional help, he secured the services of Paul (Acts 11:25, 26). Later he joined Paul on his First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-4). After that journey their partnership in the work was suspended when they disagreed over the question of taking John Mark with them on the second journey (see Acts 15:36-39). This is the first mention by Paul of Barnabas since their separation several years before this epistle to the Corinthians was written.

Power to forbear working. The form of the question in Greek suggests a strong affirmation that Paul and Barnabas had such power, or right, to refrain from working for their own support if they chose so to do. After his conversion Paul had but one desire in life, to witness for Christ and persuade men to accept Him as their Saviour (see 1 Cor. 9:16; 2 Cor. 5:11; Phil. 3:13, 14). He was constantly on the alert to avoid anything that might serve to prevent men from believing his message (see Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1; 14:16, 19-21; 1 Cor. 8:13; 9:22, 23). The heathen people were suspicious of strangers who came among them, so the apostle determined not to give them cause to accuse him of coming among them as a religious teacher in order to obtain his support from them.

Paul’s missionary footsteps seem to have been dogged by some persons who were continually trying to give him trouble, destroy his authority, and hinder his work (see Acts 13:45, 50; 14:2, 19; 17:5; Gal. 2:4; 3:1; 5:12). These individuals were, in part, Jewish Christian teachers who believed that the law of Moses was binding upon Christians, and who tried to press their doctrine on the churches established by Paul and Barnabas, thus raising doubts regarding Paul. Apparently unable to find any real ground for complaint against him, they represented his refusal to accept his support from the Corinthian believers as evidence that he was not a true apostle of Christ. See on 2 Cor. 11:22.

The gospel minister, wherever he works, must be on guard at all times against the danger of doing or saying anything that might prove to be a cause of offense to those for whom he is working. This requires a willingness to abandon one’s legitimate rights and privileges, if need be, for the good of others.