Apostolic Authority
1 Cor 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
Apostle: a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father ( Hbr 3:1; Jhn 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Easton's Bible Dictionary)
Paul is establishing his authority and rights as an Apostle and believer. He was an Apostle because he had seen the risen Christ and had been commissioned to be an Apostle to the Gentiles.
Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
Are not ye my work in the Lord? Proof of his apostleship are the churches established by him. Fruit of a ministry is proof of its commission by the Lord.
1 Cor 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
You are proof enough of my Apostleship.
1 Cor 9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
In verse three, defense (apologia) and examine (anakrino) are both legal words, taken from the Roman law court; Paul feels like he's on trial!
1 Cor 9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
1 Cor 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Has he not the right to have the Churches support him in eat and drink, and even to support him and a wife if so required?
I heard a preacher on the radio say that if someone is called as a missionary, that God will provide their support. It is not the responsibility of the churches. This goes against Paul's teaching here.
1 Cor 9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
Though Paul supported himself making tents, he could have chosen to depend on the support of the churches.
Church Support
1 Cor 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Paul uses three illustrations to show that Church support of it's missionary Apostles is appropriate. An army is supported by those that it protects. A vineyard is to be shared with the one who cares for it. The one who feeds the flock gathers the milk of it. (No, the shepherd does not fleece the flock, as the joke says...)
1 Cor 9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
Am I just justifying my position by my own thoughts? Let us look at the law. Always it is God's word that we go to. Our own opinions and feelings though important to us, carry little authority or eternal value. God's word is truth.
1 Cor 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
God has allowed the oxen to eat of its labor and harvest.
1 Cor 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1 Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
1 Cor 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
1 Cor 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
The Mosaic law also provided for the support of the priests by those who were served by the priests.
1 Cor 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Paul opens the door for church support. It is a matter that each servant must decide. Paul chose to make tents for his own support, but this was not his means of "success".
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
1 Cor 9:15 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.
1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
Preaching the gospel should not be for financial prosperity. Often I wonder why there are so many poor preachers. God must have wanted them that way. If I had a lot of money to give them, would this help them? I think not. It may hinder their walk with the Lord. The just shall walk by faith.
Servant Unto All
1 Cor 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
Jesus came to meet needs by God's power. He gave his life free for us. We receive salvation free of charge to us, though the price was paid by the blood of Jesus on the Cross. His blood paid for our freedom and the removal of our sins. The message is best taught with the focus on Jesus, the price he paid, and not by our works or money do we receive.
It upsets me when a prime time preacher on TV or radio spends so much time asking for money. It is the Church that supports so that the message be not about needing money, but rather needing the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Jesus spoke to his disciples these hard words:
Mark 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
Paul spoke first in the Jewish synagogues , because this was the custom of the Jews.
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
To the Greek, he spoke in open forums or on the streets.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
As Jesus had compassion on the weak, so did Paul.
Acts 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
Acts 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Acts 14:10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Paul is our witnessing example. He went to people as they were. He ministered to them in the way they needed or expected. Do you know that the needy in the world expect you to have the answers to their needs? Jesus and faith in him are the answer to all peoples needs; for salvation, for lack of peace and sleep, for depression and anxiety, for illnesses, demon posession, yes even for the selfish heart. Jesus and faith in him will overcome your problem and deliver you. Our focus of ministry is bringing Jesus to the needy of the world, all need Jesus, and may the gospel message not be diluted by pleas for money. Church listen, we are to meet the needs of the ministers, so that all that the world sees is Jesus. Amen
Castaway
1 Cor 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Paul uses an allegory of an athlete running a race, we are amidst many other people who are running, but maybe they are running after the wrong goals. Only the one who runs the course well wins the prize. Salvation and eternal life is our prize, and that one at a tme.
1 Cor 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
An athlete must train hard to be the best. They may receive a corruptible crown; but we receive an incorruptible crown.
1 Cor 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1 Cor 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
We keep our behavior under the Lord's control, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. If our life is corrupt our preaching is of no value, and we are in danger of missing God's salvation. More of Jesus, less of us. Allow no darkness for what fellowship has darkness with light?
Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Are you a disciple who has given up all for the high calling in Christ Jesus? Or are you setting your affections on worldly things and fleshly comforts? Keep your eyes on Jesus. Look to him, hear his voice and follow.
Gary
1 Corinthians Chapters
1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 8
1 Corinthians 1 Index