Written ~ 08-14-2024
Read 1 Corinthians Chapter Nine
1 Corinthians 9
In chapter nine Paul is expressing his rights as an apostle of Jesus Christ. I counted sixteen questions Paul asks in the first thirteen verses. He is challenging the believers he has ministered to whether or not he had the right to ask for support from the churches or not. Some believers actually challenged Paul’s authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ all because he chose not to be supported by the churches he ministered to.
The questions Paul asks actually help answer the challenge to his authority and to confirm that it is completely within the right of the servant of Jesus Christ to be paid or otherwise supported by the church. It was a common expectation that the church was to support missionaries, teachers, pastors, etc.… so it was actually completely out of character for Paul and Barnabas not to receive those gifts of support. But! Paul is giving the argument that it was ok that he wasn’t accepting support even though that was the expectation. Paul was making the point that by not accepting support that it did not diminish the work he was doing for the Lord.
One of the last questions Paul asks is found in verse 9:12…
1 Corinthians 9:12…
12 “If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.”
Paul asks this question because it was he who first brought the Gospel message to the people in Corinth and it was he who brought them to Salvation. Others may have come to preach and teach after him, but it was Paul who opened their eyes to the Word of the Lord. That’s why in this question he confirms he should’ve been supported, but he made the decision not to accept their support. Maybe that’s why some people did not honor his apostleship because he wouldn’t accept their support. But that reasoning wasn’t where Paul’s heart was coming from, he wasn’t denying support from the church because he thought he was better than that, no, he did it so he would have zero hindrance in his missionary work.
If Paul had to wait for the support from the believers he ministered to it might have stopped him from moving from place to place as often as he could so the Gospel message could be spread more rapidly. Paul supported himself so his missionary journeys would be unencumbered.
1 Corinthians 9:14-16…
14 “In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!”
So, what does this all mean? Let’s turn it around. Let’s look at it from the supporter’s point of view. I am confident when I say that most churches support missionary efforts to some degree. Some churches, that is their main goal to send out missionaries and support them not only financially but also with whatever other provisions are needed so they can spread the Gospel message to all nations. It is the right of the missionary to accept their support, it says in verse 9:14 that the Lord orders that those who preach are to be supported. But Paul turned down that right because he wanted the freedom to spread the Gospel message as the Holy Spirit compelled him. What happens if a particular church’s budget can no longer allow the missionary to continue their work abroad and they are required to return home, even if their work is not complete? Because that missionary is reliant upon the gifts from the church to continue, they will have to abandon their work and come home. Does that help to give some understanding as to why Paul did not want to receive compensation? He worked hard and through his tentmaking abilities he was able to support himself while out on the mission field, he did that so he wouldn’t have to rely on what a church could send him. Paul was compelled by the Holy Spirit to preach the Good News and he did not want to be hindered because of finances. Should we, as the body of Christ, be offended that a pastor or missionary refuses our help? Does that justify questioning their authority as an apostle of Christ? I don’t think so, it should be up to that individual to decide what kind of support they require from the church.
1 Corinthians 9:17-18…
17 “If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.”
Paul’s heart was laid out before the people he ministered to; he didn’t want anyone to feel obligated to pay him when his calling to preach the Gospel was from the Almighty God. It was God alone who compelled him and pushed him forward, it wasn’t any one particular church. This gave Paul the freedom to meet people right where they were. Rich or poor, weak or strong, Jew or Gentile. He wasn’t motivated by money to do the will of God. No, it was his passion to reach as many people as possible.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23…
19 “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”
It was the blessing from the Lord that Paul sought, it was never about what he could get from those he ministered to and his ministry flourished. Paul’s focus was on the eternal prize. He did everything for the glory and honor it would bring the Lord. This should be our attitude as well. When we serve the Lord, whether it’s in a church building or out in the streets, do we expect compensation for doing the work of the Lord? Or do we work like Paul did, fully unencumbered? Do we closely follow what the Holy Spirit is putting on our hearts? Do we go without hesitation because we aren’t waiting for confirmation that there will be compensation when we finish?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27…
24 “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
WOW! What an example we have in Paul. Do we have the attitude that if we serve the Lord we are required an earthly prize? Or do we serve like Paul did, with training, with purpose, with discipline? Do we work hard for the Lord because that is what He asking of us? Or do we wait to see what support will come our way before we do what God is placing on our hearts?
My humble prayer is that I will never place the importance of earthly compensation above the eternal prize that waits for me in heaven. Even though, like Paul, I have full right to seek support as a servant of the Lord, my prayer will be instead that I follow the example of Paul and work hard to provide the means to unencumber my ministry efforts.
We all have a responsibility to get the Word of the Lord out to all nations… What part are you playing in furthering the Gospel message?
~AMEN~