One should always keep in mind that the original text of the Bible contains no chapter divisions. This verse should be read as immediately following on 1 Corinthians 8:13, where Paul has begun to describe his own approach to matters that might make a brother stumble.

Paul now continues to draw the Corinthians’ attention to his own life and example. He does this with a series of rhetorical questions (1 Corinthians 9:1–12). These questions are intended to convince the Corinthians that the apostle’s life is one of love, and not merely of knowledge and of using his rights.

With Paul’s first questions (1 Corinthians 9:1), he gently reminds them of his position as an apostle. First, he reminds them that he is free, that is, he is not the slave of another, and that he can therefore make his own decisions. Then he reminds them that he is an apostle.

In order to have become an apostle, it was essential to have seen the risen Jesus with one’s own eyes (Acts 1:21–26). Paul saw Jesus only after the ascension (Acts 9:1–9). Yet Jesus’ appearance to Paul was just as valid as his appearances to the other apostles while he was still on earth (see also 1 Corinthians 15:1–9).

With his fourth question, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their own faith is the result of his apostolic work among them.