ISB ~ 1 Corinthians 9 v1 - 27

Paul portrays himself as a model for imitation (4:16; 11:1). Just as he waives certain apostolic rights to promote the gospel (9:4-6, 12, 18), so the strong in Corinth are challenged to relinquish certain liberties like the right to eat idol food in order to build up their weaker brethren (9:22). The issue of idol food remains uppermost in Paul’s mind here, as suggested by several examples that illustrate the right to eat (9:4, 7, 10, 13).