What does 1 Corinthians 9:12 mean?

Paul continues to give arguments for why he, as the founder of the church in Corinth and a kind of spiritual father, has the right to expect financial support from them. Now he writes that others share this claim, apparently suggesting that they have given financial support to other spiritual leaders. He may have in mind Apollos or Peter. Finally, though, Paul admits that "we," he and his coworkers, have not demanded this right. That is, they have not asked the Corinthians to give them money even though they would have been justified in doing so.

Their reason for refusing to be paid by the Corinthians is simple: They do not want to put any obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. In part, this is meant to demonstrate the principle Paul explained at the end of chapter 8 (1 Corinthians 8:7–13). It's more important to consider the spiritual benefit of others than to demand what we are "owed."

Paul may also be concerned about the question of motive. If someone suspected his work in Corinth was about a paycheck, they may have walked away from the gospel of salvation through faith in Christ. Paul is committed to avoid creating reasons for others to doubt the sincerity of his mission.

The following verses clarify that Paul is not suggesting that others who ministered to the Corinthians were wrong to receive money. On the contrary, it's a natural and sensible thing. He simply chose not to do so for the reasons he will explain.