Week 8 day 1

Day 1
Read 1 Corinthians 9
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%209&version=NIV

9:1–2 Note the four questions. They all expect a yes answer. Paul established his absolute right to receive full financial support for his work. But he had set aside his right to receive support to avoid the criticism that he was preaching for money, not for God. Paul used this setting aside of his freedom to illustrate the truth that at times Christian freedom had to be set aside for higher service. Paul refused to be paid so that people could not be offended by it, and thus more people could be saved through his ministry (9:19–22).

9:3–12 Paul addressed the problem of other people making incorrect evaluations of his person and authority (2:14–15; 4:3; 9:3; 10:29–30). Paul asked eleven questions about his rights (9:4–12). The central issue was liberty ( 8:9; 9:4–6, 12, 18). Paul argued his right to receive financial support for his ministry. 9:5 reveals a little about the family life of the apostles. Peter and the rest of the apostles, including the half brothers of Jesus, were married. In 9:9–10 Paul quoted Deuteronomy 25:4 in support of the right to receive remuneration for one’s ministry.

9:12–27 Paul presents two views of ministry. The issue was one of entrustment, not salary. For Jesus’ teaching that the laborer is worthy of his hire (9:14), see Luke 10:7 and Matthew 10:10. Paul clarified his reason for giving up his various apostolic rights: to win them to Christ (9:19–23).

In 9:19–23 Paul revealed the whole scope of his ministry, of which the Corinthians had seen but a part. They had accused him of being limited because they concluded he was less than qualified to be an apostle. But Paul showed that his limitations were self-imposed and ministry-oriented. The Corinthians had made a value judgment without seeing the context of Paul’s whole life. Paul’s reward (9:18) was the privilege of presenting the gospel without accusations that he was doing it for personal gain.

Paul explains his regimen in the terms of running a race (9:24–27). Paul drew upon the cultural background of Corinth. Seven miles to the east was Isthmia, home of the Isthmian games held every other year in honor of the sea-god Neptune (Gk. Poseidon). In light of this background, Paul knew that the athletic imagery of running and boxing would be very familiar to the readers. The disqualification Paul feared (9:27) was that of being rejected with regard to his reward, not with regard to his salvation.

Discussion & Reflection question

Paul summarizes the passage in verses 24-27. How do these verses speak to you?