In this passage, Paul wrote of his right as an apostle to receive material support for his ministry (1 Corinthians 9:1-18). With respect to his ministry to the Corinthians, he refused the right to receive compensation for his labors. It seems that he did this to be an example to the Corinthians who had the right or liberty before God to eat meat offered to idols, but should forego that right if exercising their Christian liberty would be detrimental to the spiritual lives of others in the congregation (1 Cor. 8).