1 Corinthians 9:4

Have we not power to eat and to drink? (KJV)

Then: In order to help readers understand the Corinthian problem. NKJV and Wright move the word "power" into today's terminology of "rights." In the age of civil rights, this change is a big help to figure out what's involved in the conflict. Fee states that Paul , through blunt confrontation, is forcing the Corinthians to recognize his rights (p. 401).

Now: For the most part, people today believe the age of people seeing the risen Lord has passed. The two criteria for apostleship which Paul lists ( being sent for a purpose and the actual establishment of churches) are transferred to a definition of missionaries. The work may be judged, but no one questions the hearts intent of called missionaries to serve the Lord in that capacity. Nor is their need for support while on the mission field a theoretical problem.

Extra source: The First Epistle to the Corinthians by Gordon D. Fee (Eerdman's 1987) online athttp://books.google.com/books?id=XlBp10nUTXAC&dq=Gordon+Fee+Bible+commentator&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=SwLNSu3nA4v6Mf2XlDo&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=12#v=onepage&q=&f=false