1Cor 9:15-18, 2Cor 10:15, 11:12, 16-17 | ESV | STEP | But I have made no use of any of these rights , nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision . For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting .

1 Corinthians 9:15-18

15 But ^aI have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone ^bdeprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For ^cnecessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with ^da stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^eI may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

2 Corinthians 10:15

15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that ^fas your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be ^ggreatly enlarged,

2 Corinthians 11:12

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, ^hin order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.

2 Corinthians 11:16-17

Paul’s Sufferings as an Apostle

16 I repeat, ⁱlet no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying ^jwith this boastful confidence, ^kI say not as the Lord would ^{▼▼Greek not according to the Lord} but as a fool.