1. Don’t you agree that I’m a free man? Don’t you agree that I’m an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord?
2. If I’m not an apostle to other people, at least I’m an apostle to you. You are the seal which proves that I am the Lord’s apostle.
3. This is how I defend myself to those who cross-examine me.
4. Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?
5. Don’t we have the right to take our wives along with us like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas do?
6. Or is it only Barnabas and I who don’t have any rights, except to find work to support ourselves?
7. Does a soldier ever serve in the army at his own expense? Does anyone plant a vineyard and not eat the grapes? Does anyone take care of a flock and not drink milk from the sheep?
8. Am I merely stating some human rule? Don’t Moses’ Teachings say the same thing?
9. Moses’ Teachings say, “Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing grain.” God’s concern isn’t for oxen.