Bible Study 1 Corinthians 9: 1-27

 

Commentary of the Book of 1st Corinthians

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study 1 Corinthians 9: 1-27

Text:

Paul Gives Up His Rights

9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have authority to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have authority to take along a [a]believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or do only [b]Barnabas and I not have authority to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not [c]consume the fruit of it? Or who shepherds a flock and does not [d]consume the milk of the flock?

8 Am I speaking these things according to [e]human judgment? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.” Is God merely concerned about oxen? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this authority over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share [f]from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

15 But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case, for it would be better for me to die than have anyone make my boast an empty one. 16 For if I proclaim the gospel, I have nothing to boast, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my authority in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews. To those who are under [g]the Law, as under [h]the Law though not being myself under [i]the Law, so that I might win those who are under [j]the Law. 21 To those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 So I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a [k]race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I [l]discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”

Paul's decision to sacrifice certain rights exemplifies the core principle he established in the preceding chapter (chapter 8). The questions posed in this verse suggest that some members of the Corinthian community were challenging Paul's authority and critiquing his actions as a justification for their own behavior.

Verse 2: “If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”

To the Christians in Corinth, Paul's apostleship was undeniable and did not require him to defend it.

Verse 3: “My defense to those who examine me is this:”

Paul's defense in the following ten verses, filled with emotional rhetorical questions, clearly indicates he had been criticized, though the exact nature of the complaint is debated by scholars. While defending his right to receive financial support from the churches, Paul chooses instead to highlight his decision not to accept it.

Verse 4: “Do we not have authority to eat and drink?”

As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul possessed the freedom to eat and drink. However, this freedom was often limited or reduced for the sake of others. For instance, though he had the right to eat meat, he chose not to. This choice exemplifies the exercise of free will. True liberty is revealed not just in the ability to do something, but in the power to choose not to do it. There is no free will involved when a person is simply unable to perform an action. The higher, perhaps highest, form of liberty is demonstrated when one is capable of an action yet decides to refrain from it.

Verse 5: “Do we not have authority to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?”

Paul's choice of illustration, or perhaps a concern raised by the Corinthians themselves, addresses the issue of marriage, specifically the lack of a wife, which might have been perceived as discrediting Paul and Barnabas. Paul uses this point to distinguish between merely having a right and actively exercising that right. It is important to note that both Paul and Barnabas were unmarried while engaged in their missionary work. Furthermore, Paul operates on the assumption that if he were to marry, his spouse would be a fellow believer.

Verse 6: “Or do only Barnabas and I not have authority to refrain from working?”

He is stating that he and Barnabas possess the option of remaining at home should they choose. In other words, "We are not obligated to serve as missionaries; our salvation would not be jeopardized if we chose to stay."

Verse 7: “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not consume the fruit of it? Or who shepherds a flock and does not consume the milk of the flock?”

He then uses several arguments to establish his claim, beginning with the universal customs and expectations of people. Individuals who dedicate themselves to a particular profession in life naturally expect to earn their living from it. For instance, soldiers anticipate payment for their service. Similarly, farmers and shepherds expect their labor to provide their sustenance. If they plant, tend, and cultivate vineyards, they do so with the expectation of a harvest; if they tend a flock, they anticipate being fed and clothed by it.

Verse 8: “Am I speaking these things according to human judgment? Or does not the Law also say these things?”

Ministers naturally and reasonably expect to earn a living from their work. This is argued not only from common sense but also from the Jewish Law, as stated in this verse. This principle is not merely a human custom; it is also consistent with the old Law of God. 

Verse 9: “For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.” Is God merely concerned about oxen?”

The Law commanded that an ox should not be muzzled while treading out the corn. The purpose of this was not primarily out of concern for the ox, but to teach people that those who are employed by us, or are laboring for our benefit, should be properly encouraged—they should be allowed to partake of the fruit of their labors. This is a quote from Deuteronomy 25: 4.

Verse 10: “Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.”

It is important to recall that the entire legal framework in Israel consistently served as a reminder to the community of fundamental religious principles. Certain scholars have proposed that the commandment not to muzzle the ox was intended to reinforce the instructions regarding human relationships mentioned within the immediate context.

Verse 11: “If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”

“Material things” refers to financial support. 

Verse 12: “ If others share this authority over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.”

Despite the significant demands of his apostolic ministry, combined with the strain of his secular work, Paul was resolute in his commitment not to be a financial burden on the churches. It appears, however, that the Corinthians misunderstood Paul's intentions, as suggested by the content of 2 Corinthians 11. Although the reasons remain unclear, the apostle did make a specific exception regarding financial support from the Philippian church in Macedonia.

Verse 13: “Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar?”

God's method for supporting Old Testament priests involved tithes of crops, animals, and financial gifts.

Verse 14: “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

"Living from the gospel" means that a person earns their sustenance by proclaiming the good news.

Verse 15: “ But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case, for it would be better for me to die than have anyone make my boast an empty one.”

Paul did not accept remuneration. He was able to state that the Corinthian church was not financially supporting him; he received no contribution from them. Paul sustained himself through the trade of tentmaking.

Verse 16: “For if I proclaim the gospel, I have nothing to boast, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel.”

Paul’s boast was not personal. He was not proud as if it were his gospel; nor was he proud about the way he preached it, as if it were his ability. necessity. Paul did not preach from personal pride, but from divine compulsion. He had no other choice, because God had sovereignly set him apart for service. “Woe” refers to God’s severest chastening being reserved for unfaithful ministers.

Verse 17: “For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.”

Paul's submission was not based on his personal desire to obey, but on God's sovereign choice and call. Because the call originated entirely with God, Paul did not receive a "reward." Instead, he was entrusted with a "stewardship," which is a valuable responsibility or duty requiring careful management.

Verse 18: “What then is my reward? That, when I proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my authority in the gospel.”

Paul's reward was not financial gain, but the privilege of preaching the gospel without requiring support. To maintain this privilege, he chose to set aside his freedom or "right."

Verse 19: “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.”

He intentionally chose not to exercise his right to financial support. Instead, he made himself "a slave" to providing for himself. This decision was made so he could avoid giving offense and, in doing so, bring more people to Jesus Christ.

Verse 20: “And to the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews. To those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law.”

In his ministry to Jews, Paul adopted the Old Testament ceremonial laws, despite his understanding that these practices were not mandatory.

Verse 21: “To those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.”

In his ministry to the Gentiles, Paul adapted his lifestyle to theirs, yet he always understood that this freedom never extended to disobeying God.

Verse 22: “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”

Paul's willingness to "become all things" demonstrates his commitment to making the gospel accessible. He would "stoop" to the lower levels of comprehension—something he likely did often with the Corinthians—without compromising God's Word or the truth of Scripture. His condescension was a strategic effort, kept within God's boundaries, to avoid offending the Jew, Gentile, or those with a weak understanding, all for the ultimate goal of leading people to salvation.

Verse 23: “So I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”

He made these concessions and denied himself his personal liberty for several reasons. Primarily, he acted for the honor of Christ, to whom the gospel belongs, and for the salvation of souls, which the gospel is intended to achieve. He also did this so that both he and the people might share in the gospel's privileges. Therefore, to achieve these goals, he accommodated himself to the abilities and customs of those he ministered to, as long as it was permissible.

Verse 24: “ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”

To underscore the necessity of focus, resolve, and endurance, Paul draws on the analogy of a race and the reward awaiting the victor in his writings.

Verse 25: “Now everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.”

Victory requires self-control. The "crown" awarded to the race winner was a wreath of greenery.

Verse 26: “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;”

Paul emphasizes his commitment to winning people to salvation, a goal he has stated four times. To illustrate this point, he shifts his metaphor to boxing, highlighting that his efforts were intentional and effective—he was not "shadow boxing," merely going through the motions without a genuine aim or result.

Verse 27: “but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

Paul continues his athletic analogy, stressing that just as a boxer must discipline his body to win, Christians must set aside their own selfish desires for the sake of their ultimate spiritual goal. The term "disqualified" here does not mean a loss of salvation. The consistent message of the New Testament, and of Paul himself, is that those whom God has drawn to Himself are eternally His, as the life they have received is eternal in nature. What God starts, He will complete. However, it would be a mistake to downplay Paul's warning as merely hypothetical or only related to rewards and not salvation. While Paul was certain that nothing could separate him from God’s love, he never operated under the assumption that his salvation was secure regardless of his actions. No Christian should take the warnings found in Scripture lightly.