Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:12

"If others partake of [this] right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ." — 1 Corinthians 9:12 (ASV)

If others be partakers...—You do recognize this principle in regard to other teachers, and they actually partake of this right to be supported by you; we, your first teachers, have a stronger right. St. Paul had been literally their “planter” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

But suffer all things—i.e., We endure all kinds of hard work and privation rather than use a power that I have demonstrated we possess and of which others actually avail themselves. We take this approach lest our actions might, in some way, hinder the progress of Christ’s gospel. This could happen by giving enemies any, even apparent, reason for attributing our zeal to unworthy motives.