First Corinthians Chapter 9

Transcription

1 First Corinthians Chapter 9 - Chapter nine seems to be a change of topic at first glance but it doesn t take long to see that Paul is explaining his rights and privileges from several points of view so he can show them that he has waived those right and privileges in the interests of others. Consequently, we need to immediately recognize chapter nine as a continuation and an explanation by way of a personal example of those things taught in chapter eight. o By using this example of his own position as an apostle he combats the attitude presented by some in chapter eight. That attitude was this. that mature Christians had the liberty to eat meat sacrificed to idols regardless of how weaker Christians were affected. Paul says this can not be 1Cor.8:13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall. RSV 1 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. - Paul says Am I not an apostle? o Concerning spiritual gifts 1Cor. 1:4-7 4 I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge 6 even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; RSV Although they had trouble with these gifts they could not deny who bestowed them on them. 1

2 o Concerning authority 1Cor. 2:4-5, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. RSV An inspired message from an inspired apostle. Not just words of worldly wisdom. o v The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. RSV This was the difference in the false teachers and Paul. (Inspired message vs. non-inspired message.) All of these things prove the Apostleship of Paul and consequently that he is worthy of support. - And then he says Am I not free? o In other words. don t I have the same liberty as all the other disciples. This includes.. the right to be supported or to decline support. This is evident as he speaks to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20: And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one s silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. RSV 1Thess. 2:9 9 For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God. RSV 2

3 - Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? o That is after His resurrection.. an apostolic must. Acts 9:17 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. RSV 1Cor. 15: and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. RSV Gal. 2:8-9 8 (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; RSV - Are you not my work in the Lord? o To deny Paul. was to deny the very existence of the church at Corinth. - And lastly he says 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. o The word seal is the key word in this verse. J.W. Shepherd in the Gospel Advocate Commentary makes this statement A seal is that which is affixed to a deed, or other instruments to make it sure and indisputable. The Corinthian church itself is represented as such a seal of his apostleship. After their conversion he had bestowed on many of them gifts of the Holy Spirit in such abundance that they were inferior to no church what ever. These gifts were a visible seal of Paul apostleship. 3

4 2Cor. 12:12 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you in all patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. RSV William Barclay says this. Paul s second claim is that his ministry has been effective. The Corinthians themselves are the proof of that. He calls them his seal. In ancient days the seal was extremely important. When a cargo of grain or dates or the like was sent off, the last thing done was that the containers were sealed with a seal to show that the consignment was genuinely what it claimed to be. When a will was made it was sealed with seven seals; and it was not legally valid unless it was produced with the seven seals intact. The seal was the guarantee of genuineness. The very fact of the Corinthian Church was the guarantee of Paul s apostleship. The final proof that a man himself knows Christ is that he can bring others to him. It is said that once a young soldier, lying in pain in a hospital, said Florence Nightingale as she bent over to tend him, You are Christ to me. The reality of a man s Christianity is best proved by the fact that he helps others to be Christian. 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we have no right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? - This is a comparison of others doing the same work. o He has a right. to be supported by those he labors among. Just like the Lord s brothers and the other apostles. At least some of them had wives so there need for support was even greater. - He goes on to say. 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? o Some denied Paul s apostleship simple based on the fact that he did not take money. 4

5 o To refrain from working.. is talking about refraining from additional secular work. William Barclay gives us this interesting insight.. The privilege that Paul might have claimed was support from the Church. Not only could he have claimed such support for himself but also for a wife. In fact the other apostles did receive such support. The Greeks despised manual labour; no free Greek would willingly work with his hands. Aristotle declared that all men were divided into two classes.. the cultured and the hewers of wood and drawers of water who existed solely to perform the menial tasks for the others, and whom it was not only mistaken but actually wrong to seek to raise and educate. The enemies of Socrates and Plato had in fact taunted them because they took no money for teaching, and had hinted that they did so because their teaching was worth nothing. It is true that every Jewish Rabbi was supposed to teach for nothing and to have a trade whereby he earned his daily bread; but these same Rabbis took very good care to inculcate the teaching that there was no more meritorious deed than to support a Rabbi. If a man wished a comfortable place in heaven he could not better assure himself of it than by supplying all a Rabbi s needs. On every ground Paul could have claimed the privilege of being supported by the Church. 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? - Normal life situations. (common sense views) o No soldier supports himself. the nation does. o The one who plants a vineyard: Makes his living from that work.. he is entitled to the fruit of vineyard. o The one who tends a flock: Is entitled to the milk of the flock. He makes his living.. from his work with the flock. 5

6 o He says all this to say (in essence). the man who plants and labors with the churches also has a right to be support by those churches. 8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain. Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. - The Law of Moses ordained the same principle. o The scriptures said not to muzzle an ox who works threshing the grain. Deut. 25:4 4 You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain. RSV He is allowed to eat of the grain. Obviously, God cared for the ox but that was not the main point. But the ox did participate in the work.. consequently he earned the right to eat of his labors. It was only right. Burton Coffman mentions the fact that pagans did muzzle the ox to prevent his eating any of the grain. That is just wrong. 6

7 The point is obvious surely the human workman is even more important. He says these things for our sake. o The plowman and the thresher work.. to share in the profit of the crop. o They gain their livelihood.. from their work. And then the application is made. He says we sow spiritual things. And the obvious question is should we not reap material things from those we work with? o It s a rightful claim. As the founder of the church at Corinth no one could have made a more compelling and legitimate claim for support. - He then says.. Nevertheless we have not used this right. o Why not?. because we don t want to put any obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. This should teach us a lot.. about our rights. o Paul felt that in his situation to claim his rights might well make him less effective in proclaiming the gospel. (Seeming especially at Corinth.) Consequently he decides to endure the additional burden of laboring with his own hands. Paul left no room for anyone to make the accusation that he was preaching the gospel purely for self gain. 7

8 But concerning the preaching of others. he even rejoiced when the gospel was preached in envy and strife. Philippians 1: Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 the one do it of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel; 17 but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds. 18 What then? only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and therein I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. RSV In other places he did take support so he was not at all generally opposed to receiving help. See.. Philippians 1:5; 4:10-20 and 2 Corinthians 11:7ff for examples. Again depending on the circumstances he would either exercise or forfeit his liberty. He had the right.. not to claim his right, or to waive his right...if Christ was better served. (He had a servants attitude) - He again goes back to the Old Testament.. for yet one more example to support the idea that the laborer is worthy of his hire as presented by Jesus to the seventy (or seventy-two) in Luke 10:7. o Verse 13 says 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? o Temple service.. William Barclay. There were five main offerings. (1) The Burnt-offering. This alone was burnt entire except the stomach, the entrails and sinew of the thigh (cp. Genesis 32:32). But even in this the priests received the hides, and did a flourishing trade with them. (2) The Sin-offering. In this case only the fat was burned on the altar and the priests received all the flesh. (3) The Trespass-offering. Again the fat alone was burned and the priests received all the flesh. (4) The Meat-offering. This consisted of flour and wine and oil. Only a token part was offered on the altar; by far the greater part was 8

9 the perquisite of the priests. (5) The Peace-offering. The fat and the entrails were burned on the altar; the priest received the breast and the right shoulder; and the rest was given back to the worshipper. The priests enjoyed still further perquisites. (1) They received the first-fruits of the seven kinds. wheat, barley, the vine, the fig-tree, the pomegranate, the olive and honey. (2) The Terumah. This was the offering of the choicest fruits of every growing thing. The priests had the right to an average of one fiftieth of any crop. (3) The Tithe. A tithe had to be given of everything which may be used as food and is cultivated and grows out of the earth. This tithe belonged to the Levites; but the priests received a tithe of the tithe that the Levites received. (4) The Challah. This was the offering of kneaded dough. If dough was made with wheat, barley, spelt, oats or rye, a private individual had to give the priests on twenty-fourth part, a public baker one forty-eighth part. All this is at the back of Paul s refusal to accept even the basic supplies of life from the Church. He refused for two reasons. (1) The priests were a byword. While the ordinary Jewish family ate meat at the most once a week the priest suffered from an occupational disease consequent on eating too much meat. Their privileges, the luxury of their lives, their rapacity were notorious; Paul knew all about this. He knew how they used religion as a means to grow fat; and he was determined that he would go to the other extreme and take nothing. (2) The second reason was his sheer independence. It may well be that he carried it too far, because it seems that he hurt the Corinthians by refusing all aid. But Paul was one of those independent souls who would starve rather than be beholden to anyone. In the last analysis one thing dominated his conduct. He would do nothing that would bring discredit on the gospel or hinder it. Men judge a message by the life and character of the man who brings it: and Paul was determined that his hands would be clean. He would allow nothing in his life to contradict the message of his lips. Someone once said to a preacher, I cannot hear what you say for listening to what you are. No one could ever say that to Paul. - As a side note Verses 15 through 18 are often used today to justify preacher support. as well as others who serve and minister to the church. o For most, there seems little room to argue the point. However some do. (I found Jim McGuiggan s comment on verse 14 interesting). He said.. Paul here alludes to Luke 10:7. When Christ said, the laborer is worthy of his hire! he put any question about preacher support above debate. While the OT testimony is sufficient and common sense is corroborative, to be able to allude to a word from Jesus 9

10 himself is such a blessed relief. I m coming across a lot of people who aren t sure about the OT or the apostolic word but who are satisfied with Christ that s good. When they get to know how Christ feels about the OT and the apostolic testimony they ll be sold on that too. 15 But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. - He has now established, without a doubt, that he has a right to get support. o Paul refused to use his full liberty in Christ.. by not taking support even though he was a genuine apostle. He didn t give specific reasons for this. Undoubtedly.. he felt like the gospel would have been hindered in some way at this time in Corinth had he exercised this right. o 1Cor. 9:12 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. He also wants them to know.. that he is not now trying to get support. - And then we hear this rather strange statement.. v.15b.. for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. o What s that all about? 10

11 What could Paul possibly boast or glory in? The Bible Exposition Commentary What was Paul s reward? The joy of preaching the Gospel without charge! This meant that no man could accuse him of underhanded motives or methods as he shared the Good News of Jesus Christ. It is unfortunate when the ministry of the Gospel is sometimes hindered by an overemphasis on money. The unsaved world is convinced that most preachers and missionaries are only involved in religious rackets to take money from innocent people. No doubt there are religious racketeers in the world today (1 Tim. 6:3 16), people who use religion to exploit others and control them. We would certainly not agree with their purposes or their practices. We must make sure that nothing we do in our own ministry gives the impression that we are of their number. A wrong attitude toward money has hindered the Gospel from the earliest days of the church. Ananias and Sapphira loved money more than they loved the truth, and God killed them (Acts 5). Simon the magician thought he could buy the gift of the Spirit with money (Acts 8:18 24). His name is now in the dictionary. Simony is the practice of buying and selling religious offices and privileges. For the gospels sake Paul illustrates the principle involved in not eating meat offered to idols. Even though he had a right to support he did not use that right so others would more readily obey the gospel. o Paul compares his ministry and motives to others who tried to disparage Paul s ministry. 2Cor. 11: Did I commit a sin in abasing myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God s gospel without cost to you? 8 I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in want, I did not burden any one, for my needs were supplied by the brethren who came from Macedonia. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, this boast of mine shall not be silenced in the regions of Achaia. 11 And why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! 12 And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. RSV 11

12 2Cor. 2: But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God s word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. RSV The Bible exposition commentary.. He wanted the message of the Gospel to be free from any obstacles or hindrances in the minds of lost sinners For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! o Acts 9: But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. RSV Paul was always aware that he had once been a great persecutor of the church. 1Tim. 1: I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service; 13 though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: 16 howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen ASV You can t help but get the feeling that Paul felt the full weight of his guilt. and most of all the great mercy extended to him. 12

13 Consequently.. he felt compelled to preach the same message of mercy to others. 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. - His stewardship is undoubtedly the responsibility he had to the Lord in taking the gospel to the Gentiles. o Acts 26: But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 17 delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. 19 Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance ASV 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. - As a servant of Christ Paul was commanded to preach the gospel. Especially to the Gentiles. - He was not commanded to refuse support from those he ministered to while preaching the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to 13

14 all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. - He first asserts his personal liberty in Christ. o And then immediately he says that he has made himself a servant of all. o For what reason? That he might win the more. In knowledge Paul was far above all of those he came into contact with. But he was willing to take the position of a servant o Overlooking. those things that make no difference. o Forsaking his personal liberties. o For the sake of the gospel and the souls of others and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; o As an example.. Acts 16: 3 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. RSV Paul The Apostle by Robert E. Picirilli says this.. Some would criticize Paul as inconsistent for this act, but that criticism reveals a serious defect in understanding Paul s practice. As son of a Jewess, Timothy would be an offence to Jews if uncircumcised. Although Paul determinedly resisted the circumcision of Gentile converts he readily agreed to the circumcision of Jewish believers. As we have seen in discussing the Jerusalem Council, the question whether a Gentile must become Jewish to be a Christian was plainly answered no. But a Jewish Christian should live the Jewish life-style lest his witness to unbelieving Jews be hindered. 14

15 He circumcised Timothy as a concession. He refused to circumcise Titus.. because it was demanded as a matter of obedience to the Law of Moses. o Gal. 2: But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 But because of false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage 5 to them we did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. RSV o At the urging of brethren in Jerusalem Paul consents to, pays the expenses, and participates in the purification rites of four men who had a vow to show that he did not teach that Jews should not circumcise their children or observe the customs. Acts 21: When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself with them and went into the temple, to give notice when the days of 15

16 purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for every one of them. RSV Again this is an accommodation on Paul part. He does this. as a concession. A matter of indifference. He no longer considered himself a Jew. o This becomes obvious when he states.. to the Jews I became as a Jew. o Notice verse 20 in the RSV 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law though not being myself under the law that I might win those under the law. McGuiggan s explains it this way Acting a Jew before Jews. Compromising no truths, but forfeiting cherished liberties. Humbling himself before scrupulous men through he himself was above such trivia as meat distinctions. Having Roman citizenship but not flaunting it. Willing to put up with the often prevailing Jewishness which reveled in minutia while the world groveled and writhed under the heel of demons! 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law The ESV translates this verse like this 21 To l those outside the law I became m as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but n under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. - The Gentiles were without law in the sense that they were not under the Mosaic Law. o They were under law to God. All men are! 16

17 o Was there a real problem here? The Bible Exposition Commentary. What separated Jews and Gentiles in that day? The Law and the covenants (Eph. 2:11 15). In his personal life, Paul so lived that he did not offend either the Jews or the Gentiles. He did not parade his liberty before the Jews, nor did he impose the Law on the Gentiles. Eph. 2: Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. RSV o Paul wanted to win the Gentiles to Christ (who kept the Law for them) so they wouldn t have to. Gal. 3: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us for it is written, Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree 14 that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. RSV Gal. 3: So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. RSV Rom. 7:4-6 4 Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 While we were living in the flesh, our 17

18 sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit. RSV Rom. 8:1 6 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. RSV 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. - Paul again sets the example for the text of chapter eight concerning the weak brother. o Several people touch on this in different ways: o 1. David Lipscomb Gospel Advocate Commentary.. Paul s own example is instructive, as showing how far this method of action may be rightly carried. He accommodated himself to the prejudices and preferences of men so far as he could without sacrificing truth and righteousness, in order to win them to Christ. In other words, he sacrificed personal rights and personal liberty of action rather than to insist upon them when they stood in the way of winning any man, or set of men, to the Lord. As an example he earnestly contended that the law of Moses was no longer binding; yet he observed it as fully as he could, consistently with the law of Christ, for the purpose of conciliating the Jews and obtaining from them a favorable hearing of the gospel. He did this not that he might be personally popular with any man, but that by doing so he might throw no obstacle in the way of their giving the gospel a favorable hearing. o 2. Jim McGuiggan s The Book of First Corinthians. To the weak I became weak! Why would he 18

19 bother? In a society which cultivates the strong, why would he bother with the scrupulous? They re such a burden. They tire you out. And they don t make very good workers for the church. But he who is willing to go beyond everything that people demand is a slave to nobody! He sat beside the weak who couldn t eat the meat for conscience sake and he too abstained. He did it without flourish. He didn t make it clear he was only abstaining because: this poor man can t eat and I won t leave him on his own. He said nothing and he forfeited his right to eat, he bridled his power to eat and in doing so became lord of meat and slave to his weak companion. What a man! What a Lord who can make such a man! And why does he do it all? He is Christ s (v.21). He is making no show of his humility. He does it all for the salvation of some. He d like all men saved but he knows that won t happen. He becomes all things to all men that he might by all means save some. o 3. William Barclay The Letters to the Corinthians Finally, Paul speaks about the method of his ministry, which was to become all things to all men. This is not a case of being hypocritically one thing to one man and another to another. It is a matter in the modern phrase, of being able to get alongside anyone. The man who can never see anything but his own point of view and who never makes any attempt to understand the mind and heart of others, will never make a pastor or an evangelist or even a friend. o In order to save some a lot of effort is often required. One person put it this way The gain of even some is worth the expenditure of all means. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. - In Corinth this passage would have brought to mind the Isthmian games that took place every two years nine miles from Corinth on the seacoast. 19

20 o This was a national event. Competitors had 10 months to train. Each competitor was announced by a herald at the games. They ran with all their might. Only one received the prize out of the whole host of participants. The prize was a corruptible wreath of pine, ivy or parsley leaves. The winner was held in high esteem by family, friends, and countrymen --- for a time. His name was sung in odes and his likeness was placed in the long line of statues which formed the approach to the adjacent temple. (J.W. Shepherd) o He then says. Run in such a way that you may obtain it. The greatest possible effort must be given. Preparation is a must Self-denial will be required. But..in the Christian race the winners crown is available not only to the first but also to the last if they qualify. o Next he says.. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. In other words they are more than willing to go through the rules, restrictions and the disciplined training required to run the race. 20

21 o Why? Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. For feats of physical strength and skill..the winner won a temporary crown and a measure of glory that soon faded. But. an eternal and unfading crown is available for all Christians who run the race with one goal in mind. The sustained effort of a lifetime is what we strive for. 2Tim. 4:8 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. NKJV James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. NKJV o Now he says 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. Paul returns to his main subject, his own selfdenial, and his motive in it. A commentary, Critical and Explanatory,. run, not as uncertainly not as a runner uncertain of the goal. Ye Corinthians gain no end in your entering idol temples or eating idol meats. But I, for my part, in all my acts, whether in my becoming all things to all men, or in receiving no sustenance from my converts, have a definite end in view, namely, to gain the more. I know what I aim at, and how to aim at it. He who runs with a clear aim, looks straightforward to the goal, makes it his sole aim, casts away every encumbrance (Heb 12:1, 2), is indifferent to what the by-standers say, and sometimes even a fall only serves to rouse him the more [BENGEL]. o Heb. 12:1-2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so 21

22 closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. RSV o And lastly he says. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. Gal. 5: For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. RSV J.W. Shepherd makes this comment Every man s body is his enemy when, instead of being his servant, it becomes his master. The proper function of the body is to serve the will, to bring the inner man into contact with the outer world and enable him to influence it. When the body refuses to obey the will, when it usurps the authority and compels the man to do its bidding, it becomes his dangerous enemy. Paul was a preacher to all who were in the race. but he too was in the race running for the same crown. The crown of righteousness was for those who lawfully finished the course. To be disqualified was unthinkable. o But if the thought occurred to Paul.. we should all seriously think about our salvation. and do all we can to make our calling and election sure. 22

23 1 1The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)