John Calvin 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 assume this power over you Again, he establishes his own right from the example of others. For why should he alone be denied what others assumed as their due? Since no one labored more than he among the Corinthians, no one was more deserving of a reward. He does not, however, mention what he has done, but rather what he would have done in accordance with his right, if he had not, of his own accord, refrained from using it.

But we have not used this power. He returns now to the point on which the matter hinges: that he had, of his own accord, given up that power which no one could deny him, and that he was prepared rather to suffer all things, than by the use of his liberty to throw any impediment in the way of the progress of the gospel.

He wishes, therefore, that the Corinthians should, after his example, keep this goal in view: to do nothing that would hinder or delay the progress of the gospel. For what he states about himself, it was their duty to do likewise in their own capacity. And he confirms here what he had said previously: that we must consider what is expedient (1 Corinthians 6:12).