7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
8 I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things?
9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?
10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.
11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
Paul defends his position using examples in verses 7-11, and reminds them the Levites and priests were supported by offerings and tithes (see: 12-18).
V. 7 - “Who… serves as a soldier… plants a vineyard… tends a flock” - All of these ‘jobs’ are done with an expectation of remuneration. A nation does not expect its soldiers to provide their own weapons, ammunition, uniform and living quarters. (One of the interesting problems the United States had during the revolution from Great Britain, was that many of the citizen soldiers had to supply their own muskets, clothes and food. Being a land that was only a few steps away from wilderness, many men had rifles and were rugged frontiersmen. The fledgling government struggled during that period to purchase and distribute weapons and supplies to Washington’s armies.) If we work, either at a job for a company or at our own farm, ranch or company, we expect to be paid - hardly anyone works for free. Non-paid volunteers are supported by someone else, or are retired and supported by their retirement savings.
V. 8-9 - “I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I?” - We see the human perspective as set against God’s Law. Often we are proud to say, “I did this!” We get puffed up at the amazing things we accomplish. God has the welfare of all His creation on His heart and mind. To wit: the lowly ox pulling the threshing machine must not be denied eating some of the grain being processed. (See: Deut. 25:4; Prov. 12:10; Deut. 22:1-4) God sees compassion for others, even other’s animals as a primary ‘righteous’ characteristic for His people. He knows this is not the type of behavior of the ‘wicked’ - they are without compassion.
Wait a minute. Why would God be concerned for oxen? They are ‘dumb’ animals after all. Life in the universe is the Lord’s creation, and He is aware, He knows everything, from the smallest bird to the largest animal, from the dumbest animal to the smartest human. (See: Matt. 10:29)
V. 10-11 - “Or is He speaking altogether for our sake?” - I don't think Paul is referring only to himself and the other missionaries with him. But, he is applying the principle God sets: that workers have earned their wages - whether you are an engineer, a farmer, or an ox pulling a plow. A farmer does not plow the field, plant the seed, tend and harvest the crops for nothing! There is a hope that your efforts will pay off.
Of course it is for us this kind of thing is written. We need to be told that a worker must be paid for his work done. Because we are sinners, we will try to get by paying as little as possible (not all of us are like this, but the law must be stated for someone will say, “I didn’t know…”). The Israelites are instructed in Leviticus and Deuteronomy to promptly pay your hired workers (See: Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15) Jesus uses hired workers as an example of people being paid what they were promised, and what was agreed upon when they were hired. (See: Matt. 20:1-16)
“Is it too much if we reap material things from you?” - Paul notes that he, Barnabas and others have spent their life and labors to bring Christ to the Corinthians so that they may have eternal life. Is that not more valuable than any thing? Of course it is! So, Paul poses the question, “If we have worked for you and with you, are not we worth being supported by you?” Paul understood that his missionary work would take him out of Corinth. He was asking the Corinthians to support him in his work, so that other people would have the chance to accept Christ as Lord and Savior just as the Corinthians did. These new Christians would return the favor, and support Paul so the work could continue.
***