But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Paul's celibacy, and his ability to maintain himself without interrupting his ministry, made that expedient to him which is ordinarily inexpedient-a ministry not supported by the people. What to him was a duty would be the opposite to one to whom God committed a family, without other resources. Under other circumstances he accepted help (Philippians 4:15-16).
I have used none of these things - none of these 'powers' which I might have used (1 Corinthians 9:4-6; 1 Corinthians 9:12).
Neither - rather, 'yet I have not written.
So done unto me - literally, in my case; as in the case of a soldier, a planter, a shepherd, a plowman, and a sacrificing priest (1 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Corinthians 9:13).
Make my glorying void - deprive me of my privilege of preaching without remuneration (2 Corinthians 11:7-10). Rather than hinder the Gospel by giving pretext for a charge of interested motives (2 Corinthians 12:17-18), Paul would "die" of hunger (cf. Abraham's disinterestedness, Genesis 14:22-23 Genesis 14:22-23).