But the New Testament ethic also transcends rights. Paul affirms their importance, but states that what matters more is one’s willingness not to act on one’s right if it will lead to a greater good. When Paul calls people to give up rights for the sake of others and the furtherance of the gospel, he exhorts them to place their trust in God, the one who ultimately justifies and rewards. In some cases, to see rights as foremost can actually harm another person and hinder the gospel (e.g., 1 Cor. 8:1–13; 9:1–23).
