Paul treats preaching the gospel as a type of work comparable to military service, farming or temple service. This type of work requires a level of dedication that merits material support. Further, the activity of preaching is sufficiently characteristic of the people who undertake the work that they can be treated as their own group, identified as ‘those who preach the gospel’. The generalization of the principle Paul establishes, alongside the inclusion of Barnabas in the application of the principle, indicates that it applies beyond the apostolic office to others who preach. Paul’s
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