Paul refused compensation so that no one could accuse him of preaching for money or personal gain.
Les Feldick shows that Paul was determined not to take advantage of his apostolic position by receiving material reward. He had profited financially in Judaism as a Pharisee and afterward came as a bondslave for Jesus, not as someone building a personal empire. By refusing pay, Paul kept his motive above suspicion and proved he was not in ministry for money.
1 Corinthians 9:7 — This verse establishes that a servant of God may rightly receive support from ministry, the very right Paul chose not to use.
Galatians 1:14 — Paul's own testimony that he profited in the Jews' religion explains his special caution about profiting from his apostolic work.
2 Corinthians 4:5 — Paul declares he preached not himself but Christ as a servant, revealing his motive in refusing compensation.
Scripture teaches that ministers have a right to compensation. In 1 Corinthians 9:7 Paul asks, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?" These illustrations show that a pastor, teacher, or evangelist is worthy of support for his labor. Scripture also records two facts about Paul's personal life. In Galatians 1:14 he says, "And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers." In 2 Corinthians 4:5 he says, "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." The biblical record therefore establishes both his past profit in religion and his later refusal to make personal profit his motive.
Les Feldick explains that Paul refused compensation so he could not be accused of taking advantage of his apostolic responsibility. Paul had been defending his apostleship against people who said he had not walked with Jesus like Peter and the Twelve, and he wanted his ministry to be above suspicion. Rather than use his position for material reward, Paul came as a bondslave for Jesus' sake, not as someone building a religious empire or seeking personal fame. Les also points out that Paul had already profited in religion before his conversion. He says Saul of Tarsus was probably a wealthy religious Jew, in the hierarchy, likely on a large salary, and he profited financially and politically in Judaism. Paul left all that behind and endured privations without compensation because the love of Christ constrained him. His refusal to take money was not a denial of a minister's right to support — it was a personal safeguard for the gospel.
Scripture asks who would go to war at his own expense, plant a vineyard and not eat its fruit, or shepherd a flock and not drink its milk (1 Corinthians 9:7). Les Feldick says Paul was showing from the Scriptures that a servant of God — whether pastor, teacher, or evangelist — is worthy of compensation. Paul established the right even though he personally chose not to use it.
Les Feldick believes Saul of Tarsus was a wealthy, influential religious Jew. He was in the hierarchy and probably made big money at the top echelons. Les notes Paul profited in the Jews' religion both financially and politically. When he became the apostle to the Gentiles, he left it all behind and went without compensation while suffering to get the gospel out.
Les shows Paul refused to take a material reward from his apostolic work, and he came as a bondslave, not to gain personal support, fame, or a personal empire. He was constrained by the love of Christ, which is why he was willing to endure privation after privation without compensation.
Ministry Deserves Support
Paul's military, vineyard, and flock illustrations prove that a pastor, teacher, or evangelist has a right to be compensated; Les says this is what Paul was beginning to establish.
Paul Refused the Material Reward
Les says Paul deliberately refused to take material reward from his apostolic position, remembering that he had profited in Judaism as a Pharisee.
A Bondslave, Not an Empire-Builder
Les explains Paul preached as a bondslave of Christ, not for personal support, fame, or an empire.
Left His Wealth Behind
Les says Saul of Tarsus likely was a wealthy Jew who left it all behind to be the apostle to the Gentiles, receiving no compensation while suffering.
Profited in Judaism
Les points out Paul's own words that he profited in the Jews' religion above his equals, and Les believes he was on a big salary in the hierarchy.
Constrained by the Love of Christ
Les says Paul was constrained by the love of Christ, which allowed him to endure privations without taking payment.
Financial and Political Profit Before Conversion
Les thinks Paul profited in Judaism financially and politically, and may have been well-to-do before his conversion.
Apostleship Under Constant Attack
Les says Paul had to keep defending his apostleship against accusations of being an imposter, which is why the subject comes up again and again.
1 Corinthians 9:7: Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
This verse establishes that a servant of God may rightly receive support for ministry labor.
Galatians 1:14: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Paul's own testimony that he profited in Judaism before his conversion shows why he was so careful not to profit from apostleship.
2 Corinthians 4:5: For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
Paul states his motive: he preached Christ, not himself, as a servant for Jesus' sake.
Paul refused to take material reward from those he preached to, and Les Feldick says he went without compensation while suffering for the gospel. His refusal was deliberate, so no one could say he was in ministry for money.
No. Les shows Paul first established from Scripture that a servant of God is worthy of compensation, just as soldiers, vinedressers, and shepherds are. Paul's own refusal was personal, not a ban on paying ministers.
Les explains that people accused Paul because he had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter and the Twelve. Paul answered that he had seen the resurrected Lord and that the Corinthians themselves were proof of his apostleship.
Watch the Teaching: Should You Eat Meat Offered to Idols? 1 Corinthians 8 Explained