What does 1 Corinthians 9:13 mean?

Paul adds another reason to his list of why those who minister the gospel are entitled to be compensated in some way by those who receive their service. This time he points to Jewish religious practices, in which the temple provides food for those employed there, as well as for those who work at the altar itself.

It's possible that Paul is also referring to offerings made in the pagan temples. That would connect this example directly to the larger issue of food offered to idols. In the previous verse, Paul made it clear that he was not going to ask for any payment from the Corinthians. Instead, he seems intent on making an iron-clad case for why it is his right—it is something he is entirely entitled to. The point of making that claim is to show he is giving up his right, for the good of others. He is asking them to follow both his teaching (1 Corinthians 8:7–13) and his example when it comes to eating food that may have been offered to pagan gods.