1 Corinthians 9

Friday, 19 September 2014

…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. 1 Corinthians 9:22

So far, Paul has shown himself to be accommodating to others who viewed their faith differently than he did. He has identified himself as a servant to all, as a Jew, as one under the law, and as one without the law (meaning the Law of Moses, and thus implying a Gentile). He now, despite his vast knowledge of what it means to be a Christian, says that “to the weak I became as weak.” This is certainly referring back to those he spoke of in 1 Corinthians 8. There he referred to believers lacking proper knowledge on certain issues.

An example of such a lack of knowledge might be eating pork. When someone didn’t understand that eating pork was acceptable, he wouldn’t have thrown it back in his face by having a pork-chop in front of him. Whatever the person’s weakness, he would have made himself like them. He explained the need for this in that chapter with these words –

“And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? ¹² But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:11-13

He took his role as an apostle seriously and meant to never harm someone who viewed their position before the Lord differently. This included those weak in the faith. And the reason for this was “that I might win the weak.” To him, having the superior knowledge was of less immediate importance than demonstrating love to the one lacking knowledge. That person could later be properly instructed and also grow in his knowledge if he wasn’t first chased away by Paul’s actions.

And so having described several different categories of people, he sums up his accommodations by saying, “I have become all things to all men.” As long as it wasn’t improper or harmful, Paul would work within the parameters he had been granted as an apostle in order to bring others to faith or to build others up in their faith. All of this was done with the noble cause “that I might by all means save some.”

This final thought is tagged on to show that his adjustments were for a right and noble purpose, not to simply be a man-pleaser, something that he knew would lead very quickly to heresy. He even states this explicitly in Galatians 1 after speaking of exactly that scenario –

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

In all ways, Paul knew that the purity of the gospel was paramount, and yet within that purity there was room for accommodation. He always attempted to find that right and untainted balance as he walked through the life of his apostleship.

Life application: “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” These words of Paul should be remembered by those who have the greater knowledge. In exercising love while instructing in right doctrine, the immature Christian will be built up in his faith and in his heart as well.

Heavenly Father, I look back on my early days as Your child and remember the passion I had – for You, for Your word, and for sharing the wondrous message of grace that I had received. Since then, I’ve grown in many ways, but has my passion in any of these areas cooled? Lord, search me out and ignite any flame which has died down. How much more should I love You now that You have carried me along life’s path! How much more should I desire Your word, now that I have learned how to properly handle it! And how much more should I burn to share the gospel when I see how it has changed and shaped me! Return me to a longing desire to exalt You, O God! Amen.

Thursday, 18 September 2014

…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; 1 Corinthians 9:21

Paul has been addressing his willingness to spread the gospel to all classes of people in all ways. In the previous verse, he addressed those who lived as national Jews as himself being a national Jew. He also addressed those who lived under the law (meaning those who lived as religious Jews) as himself living as if he were under the law. At the same time, he now addresses those who are “without law.” This is a reference to the Gentile peoples, of whom he is the apostle.

In his apostleship to them, he lived “as without law.” In other words, they are without the Law of Moses and he showed that they were acceptable to Christ in that fashion. Paul notes that he so lived in that manner as well, through his words and through his writings. It is Christ which makes you acceptable to God, not adhering to the precepts of the law. However, he then qualifies his statement by saying in a parenthetical thought that though “not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ.”

The law which he was under was God’s law that reveals Christ. It is the understood law that man is infected with sin and that the only remedy to that problem is the cross of Jesus Christ. Christ is the embodiment of the law, having fulfilled it in our stead. When we place our trust in Him, we should have the desire to fulfill the law of conscience written on our hearts and be observant to the moral laws which are ingrained in us. Paul notes this in the early chapters of Romans. No one can be absolutely without law and be pleasing to God. Therefore we are not without law toward God because we are under law toward Christ.

This “law” which he observed has now been revealed in the writings of the New Testament. Particularly in Paul’s words which are doctrine for the church. When we follow these guidelines, we are emulating what Christ would have for us because they are the inspired words which have been given for this purpose.

Paul lived this life that he mentions so “that I might win those who are without law.” Once they were won to Christ by him, they could be rightly instructed in the “law toward Christ.” Faith through grace saves. However, salvation implies being obedient to the One who has saved us. We are not without law in this regard; we do not have license to sin. The teaching that being in Christ means we have complete license to act as we wish is known as the antinomian error and it is something that is warned against throughout his writings.

Life application: We are all slaves to something. If we are a slave to Christ, then we are free from sin’s condemnation. However, we are not free from sins consequences. If we live in sin after being saved by Christ, we will suffer the consequences of our sin. But we have been given freedom to live for Christ. Use that freedom wisely and live in a manner which will glorify our Lord.

In Christ I am freed from sin’s condemnation
In Christ I have been saved through and through
But in Christ I may still suffer tribulation
This is something I should expect, I know it’s true

How much more when I fail to properly heed
The words and directions He has given for my life!
If I act against his words in tongue and in deed
Should I expect anything but trouble and strife?

Rather, I will keep my nose deep in His word
And then apply its precepts to my walk each day
In grateful obedience to my gracious Lord
Yes, I will thankfully walk in His holy way

Yes Lord God, how can I expect to do my own thing and ignore Your word and yet be blessed by You? I will not be so presumptuous, but rather I will continue to meditate on Your word, cling to its precepts, and let them guide my walk to the very best of my ability. Be with me and strengthen me in this endeavor my Lord. And thank You in advance for hearing and responding! Amen.

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

…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; 1 Corinthians 9:20

This verse begins to explain his previous verse where he said, “I have made myself a servant to all.” He will defend this thought for three verses and give a summary in the fourth. As a “servant to all, he showed himself to the Jew as becoming as a Jew. He did this, as he says, “that I might win Jews.” In Philippians 3:4, 5, he says this –

“If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews.”

Paul was neither overly proud of his Israelite heritage, nor did he run from it. He held it in its proper place and to those around him, he lived as a Jew so that they could see there was no conflict between his national status and his faith in Christ. If through such a presentation of his life and heritage he could convince some that his Christian faith was the right, natural, and logical path for the Jew, then he was willing to use that approach.

But there was another aspect of him which he addresses in this verse. He goes on to say that “to those who are under the law” he became “as under the law.” And again, he gives the same reason, “that I might win those who are under the law.” Continuing on in Philippians 3:5, 6, he said –

“…concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Not only did he conduct himself in a way where he continued to live faithfully within his national heritage, but he did it as one who was obedient to the religious heritage of that national identity as well. There were many observant Jews in his time. They lived under the Law of Moses and followed the edicts of those placed above them.

Likewise, some of them lived within the strictest sects of the faith, as Pharisees or Sadducees. These people were those who were considered by others as the epitome of righteousness within the society at that time. Regardless of whether this was actually the case, because Paul originally came from them, he had the ability to demonstrate his obedience to the Law of Moses while at the same time showing that it in no way conflicted with his faith in Christ.

Unlike Peter who was actually unfaithful to the real principles of freedom in Christ while being observant as a Jew, Paul was able to work within both realms without showing any contradiction or hypocrisy between the two. And how could he do this? He gave up his freedoms in order to be a servant to all. This is exactly what his previous many verses were leading up to which concerned his true apostleship and the fact that though he deserved recompense for it, he didn’t use that right. He was a man who meticulously fit his life into every category he could in order to win some to Christ.

Life application: In Paul’s time, some Jews viewed themselves from a point of national identity. Others viewed themselves from a point of religious identity. This is still true today within the Jewish race. Should you have the chance to talk to a Jew, be he an observant Jew or a “national Jew” you can still show, directly from the Bible, that there is no conflict between their Jewish connection and the truth of Christianity. It can be extremely difficult to change their thoughts on this for many reasons, but it is possible. More than anything else, prayer and patience is needed. One cannot force Christianity onto another, but through the word of God, through a loving attitude, and through heartfelt prayer, it can come about.

Heavenly Father, Your word is a word for all people. It is the message of hope and reconciliation for both Jew and Gentile, for men and women, for young and old, and for the smartest person or the one lacking any education at all. It is one that can touch any and all who are willing to set aside their pride and humble themselves before the One who came to grant peace and reconciliation between You and us, our Lord Jesus. Help me to tactfully and wisely handle this word so that those I meet along the way will see the glory of Jesus and call out to Him in faith. Amen.

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 1 Corinthians 9:19

The word “for” begins Paul’s thought. It is then building upon his previous discussion. He said that he preached through “necessity,” as one bound under a master and that his reward was solely in the preaching of the gospel. Hence, “for” shows an extra weightiness in what he will now say. “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all.”

Paul had no person that he was bound to. He was a Roman citizen and thus free within the Roman society. He was also liberated from the bondage of the law by Christ and had no person over him in Jerusalem. He was not accountable to the Sanhedrin or to the high priest. He had no boss over him. Instead, he made tents while working with his own hands. And he preached the gospel without recompense from those he preached it to. Thus, he was not bound to any person or group within the church. He was free from obligation to any and all humans as far as a society could consider a person.

And yet, despite his exceptional freedoms, he willingly made himself “a servant to all.” The word translated as “servant” is douloo and is more appropriately to be rendered “slave” in this context – “I have enslaved myself to all.” What would be the reason for such a choice? Why would this man, free from all constraints, decide to treat everyone around him as a master to whom he was indebted? His reason shows a beautifully pure desire for that which freed him on the road to Damascus – “that I might win the more.”

The sole desire of Paul’s life of work and toil was to bring others to Christ. His refusal to accept payment was because he was showing his status as one who is actually a slave to Jesus Christ. In this position, he was thus allowing himself to be considered a slave to any and all who might call on Him. It is the mark of a truly selfless individual who understood what it meant to be “in Christ” both for himself and those around him.

Life application: To what extent are you willing to spread the gospel? Are you willing to give up on sleep in order to get up early and prepare for the day’s battle? Are you willing to forgo lunch if it means an opportunity to tell someone about your faith. Will you give up on payment for your efforts, or will you even be willing to spend money out of your own pocket to share your faith? What is Christ worth to you? At one time you were without Him, but someone took the time to lead you to Him. Now that right and privilege is yours. Don’t squander it!

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help
Whose hope is in the Lord his God
Who made heaven and earth
Even the beautiful earth where man does trod

Also He made the rich and abundant sea
And all that is in each of them as well
He is the great and wondrous God of glory
As the wisdom of His creation does tell

He is the God who keeps truth forever
Who executes justice for the oppressed
Who gives food to the hungry
The Lord to weary souls He gives rest

Lord, who is it that can look up into the heavens and not see Your wisdom on display? Who is it that fails to see Your marvelous hand in the many creatures that walk the earth? Lord, who can deny the intricacy of how all the earth is balanced ever so perfectly so that even its wounds are healed and new life springs from them? Lord, open the eyes of such a person and show them that You are there, calling to them. Reveal Yourself and Your majesty by opening eyes that are blind. Amen.

Monday, 15 September 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 9:18

Paul noted already that “necessity” was laid upon him to preach the gospel and that he had no expectation of a reward of compensation from those he preached to. However, this doesn’t mean there was no reward at all in his preaching, and so he asks, “What is my reward then?” There is always a reward for fulfilling one’s duties.

If a person has a job and he fulfills his duties, he will receive wages for doing that job. However, if he is a slave, he won’t receive any wages. Nevertheless, he has a reward. If he has a harsh master and he fails to work, the master may beat him. His reward then when doing his job is to simply not be beaten. If he has a kind master who would never beat him, he will still lose his reward if he fails to work. It will be whatever punishment the master decides upon. But being a kind and gentle master, when the slave does his job, the reward may be a smile, a thumbs up, or a thank you. Though none are required, they are a reward in and of themselves.

But there is also the reward of merely doing the job because it is a job that the slave loves. He loves his master, he loves the type of work he is doing, and he loves that it gets done. The satisfaction is in the doing. This is Paul’s reward. As he says, “That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge.” Because he had necessity laid upon him, he followed through with that which impelled him and he found satisfaction in that. Had he asked for or received any wages for his work, then it would mean he was being rewarded for something he had to do. In this, there would be a taking advantage of his rights in a way which he felt was inappropriate. Instead, he refused this right, as he says, “that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Life application: If you are employed and have set wages and benefits which you regularly receive, then you are receiving what you agreed on when you took the job. If you are offered something from an outside contractor to “help” you make your mind up about something which would affect the company you worked for, then you would be abusing your position within your company. Paul stood fast on the gospel. If he received something for his preaching, then others could claim that they had an influence on his doctrine, whether it was true or not. Others are always evaluating our actions and we are asked to be upright in our dealings with those we come in contact with. This is an expectation of the follower of Christ.

Lord, there are principles which I believe – in my faith, in my morals, in my politics, and in other aspects of my life as well. They are what define me when others look at me. Help me to not be perceived as one who would compromise my principles, but to stand fast on them regardless of anything that challenges me in them. Above all, may this be true for my faith in Christ and in the teaching of Your word. Help me Lord to never compromise the doctrine which establishes me as Your servant. Amen.