1 Corinthians 9:1

The apostle’s four rhetorical questions all expect a positive answer, and they become increasingly specific. Certainly he enjoyed the liberty that every other believer had. Furthermore he possessed the rights and privileges of an apostle. The proof of his apostleship was twofold. He had seen the risen Christ (Acts 1:21-22) on the Damascus road (Acts 22:14-15; Acts 26:15-18), and he had founded the church in Corinth, which was apostolic work (cf. Romans 15:15-21). Clearly Paul’s apostleship was at stake in Corinth (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; 1 Corinthians 4:8-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2).