1 Corinthians 9

Grace and peace to you today,

Delving into 1 Corinthians 9, we find a discourse on the means and the motivation of ministry. The memory passage is

1 Corinthians 9:14, 22-23, 26-27 (ESV)
In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
²² To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

The outline theme is Correct Means and Motivation for the Gospel.

At the beginning of the chapter, Paul gives as concise but thorough apologetic for his own apostolic authority. The two main reasons he gives are seeing Jesus and having the fruit of his work, the Corinthian church, as a seal. They are the direct result of his ministry as an apostle.

Beginning in verse 4 he 'reclaims' his own personal rights and freedoms and sets up the argument for supporting those who work for the Gospel. In verse 7 he uses a soldier, a vineyard worker, and a shepherd as examples of workers who directly benefit from their work. His quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4 is applied here to people who are working in the harvest field. And again he uses examples; the plowman and the thresher. Each of these three (ox, plowman, and thresher) directly benefit from the work they do.

Verse 11 brings the point home; 'if we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?'. And while verse 12 foreshadows Paul's later stance of giving up his rights, vv 13-14 conclude this first thought. He uses an example of those who work in a temple, which the Corinthians would have been very aware of (albeit pagan temples). These workers share in the offerings given at the temple. 'In the same way' (verse 14), 'the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the Gospel should get their living by the Gospel'.

'But', (with Paul, a 'but' or a 'therefore' are worth noting), 'I have made no use of these rights'. Even though he, and others, have the right to be supported by the church, Paul adamantly gives up these rights. His personal conviction was to support himself and not give anyone an excuse not to take his ministry seriously. He must be obedient to preach the Gospel no matter what, and although his boast is in the Lord (1:31) he wishes to retain his standing among men that he work hard not to be a burden to the church.

Verses 19-27 speak to Paul's motivation; the Gospel at any cost. Although he is free in Christ, he gives up this freedom for the sake of winning lost souls. All of his examples are summed up in the end of verse 22; 'I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some'.

Why?

'I do it all for the sake of the Gospel'. He does seek a 'perishable wreath', he does not run aimlessly without direction, he does not train alone as one boxing the air, and he disciplines his body so that 'after preaching to others' he would not be disqualified himself. This word translated 'disqualified' also means 'unapproved'; being out of God's favor or in His discipline. Being 'sidelined' in the race will affect your running and the finish. His desire is to run hard, run straight, and never stop until he his 'crown of life' (James 1:12).

How does this affect my worship?
Psalm 4:5 calls us to 'offer right sacrifices'. The idea of being 'disqualified' or 'unapproved' in worship seems to be the idea of offering worship that is not pleasing or acceptable in His sight. Romans 12:1 commands that the worship of our selves must be 'holy and pleasing'. The prayer of Psalm 19:14 is that our words and meditations be 'acceptable' in His sight. If our walk (or run) with the Lord is filled with disqualifying behavior, we injure our witness and our walk. Paul's emphasis discipline in our bodies is so that our relationship with God remains pure, our evangelism will not be tainted, and our worship can continue to be acceptable to Him.

How does this affect my discipleship?
If one needs a (another) battle cry for discipleship, verse 23 provides it; 'I do it all for the sake of the Gospel'. I sacrifice my rights and freedoms. I train and discipline myself for the long haul. I keep my focus on the treasure in heaven, not on earth. And do all I can, 'by all means' to fulfill God's great commission. And 'woe to me' if I do not.

May you do all, today, for the sake of the Gospel,

Ethan