Lesson 18 – 1 Corinthians Chapter 9:1-17

Chapter 8 segues into chapter 9, still teaching us about Christian liberties, but in chapter 9 Paul will take the laser pointer and point at himself as an example. We’ve seen how freedom and liberty play a part in the life of a believer, and with them, it’s important for us not to exercise them at the expense of another.

As we begin chapter 9 in verse 1, Paul states four rhetorical questions for us, at least as far as he is concerned.

1 Cor. 9:1:
“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?”

In the letter that the Corinthian believers wrote to Paul (talked about in Chapter 7) with all their questions, it must have contained statements in it such as them declaring the liberties they felt so strongly about. After all, they learned about these freedoms from Paul when he was with them. The problem was, they lost sight how their freedoms could actually hurt someone who was less informed in the faith.

Now Paul says, “Am I not free?,” putting himself on the same playing field as them. The difference was, there were other things he valued even more,than the way they wanted to hold on to their freedoms.

Am I not an apostle?

The word apostle means “one sent under commission.” The apostles were God’s “Seal Team Six” in a manner of speaking. Paul and the rest of apostles were commissioned by God to lay the very foundation of the church, and yes, they were men on a mission from God!

Eph. 2:19b-20:
“But you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,”

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

One of the qualifications for being an apostle was having the personal experience of seeing the resurrected Jesus. You might be saying to yourself, “Wait a minute, Paul (Saul) became a believer after Jesus had ascended into heaven,” and you would be right.

Paul saw the risen Jesus on the Damascus road which converted him from persecutor of Christians to an apostle. This encounter with Paul was not some mere personal vision for him, as both Jesus’ voice (Acts 9:7) and the bright light (Acts 22:9) were identified by Paul’s traveling companions as well.

There’s no clear-cut Scripture proving Paul actually met the resurrected Christ, but personally, I think he met Jesus in the desert. Paul was in Arabia (including Damascus and the surrounding desert) for at least three years immediately after his conversion.

Acts 9:22:
“But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.”

Gal. 1:11-12 (NLT):
“Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.”

The question Paul asks here in verse 1, Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? is evidence enough for me that he saw Christ. You get to decide for yourself, and let’s not forget, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” (2 Tim. 3:16)

This question by Paul, with no answer expected from his listeners, states the obvious for us, that Paul did see Jesus.

Are you not my work in the Lord?

This last rhetorical question by Paul was further proof of his apostleship. The church at Corinth was additional evidence of Paul’s hard work through the Spirit, resulting in good fruit unto the Lord.

Acts 18:8:
“Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.”

Paul unashamedly presented the gospel to the Corinthian people… they heard it… they believed it, and then they were baptized.

1 Cor. 9:2:
“If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.”

You are the seal…

In ancient times, seals were used to indicate authenticity and ownership. These seals were made of various materials including clay and wax, and were used to secure documents and containers.

We can say that the Corinthians were Paul’s vindication, his seal, the proof of his genuineness. Personally, I find it a little ironic that Paul is referring to the Corinthians as his seal, because the Corinthians had so many spiritual issues going on. This goes to show us that just as Paul never gave up on the Corinthians, God never gives up on us, His grace is always sufficient.

1 Cor. 9:3:
“My defense to those who examine me is this:”

We have the word examine (anakrinō) here, and for all practical purposes, it is a legal term; specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation. In this context, Paul is showing he’s ready to defend his rights as an apostle.

1 Cor. 9:4:
“Do we not have a right to eat and drink?”

We talked about eating and drinking in chapter 8, but this is being presented here from a different perspective… this is about apostles and pastors being supported financially.

1 Tim. 5:17-18 (NLT):
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.’ And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’”

An advocate looking in on this might say in Paul’s defense, “Paul is out here doing God’s work, and he’s pretty much doing it 24/7, and he’s doing it all for you… he has every biblical right to expect you to provide for him.”

This is a teachable moment for the Corinthians. Paul had every right to receive financial support from them, yet he set aside that right in order to achieve a higher purpose.

Paul goes on…

1 Cor. 9:5:
“Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?”

We know as we talked about before that Paul was single, probably a widower, and he chose a life of singleness at this point in his life, but Paul isn’t speaking only for himself, he’s speaking for all the other apostles and teachers as well. Peter was married, as well as Jesus’ brothers, and if Paul decided to marry again, he had every right to take his wife along, and to have her taken care of as well.

The right to take along a believing wife… to take along (periagō) means “to carry about in one’s company.” It’s very important on so many levels for a wife to be with her husband when he’s out ministering to the world. Far too many pastors travel without their wives!

And then, Paul gets a little snarky…

1 Cor. 9:6:
“Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?”

Paul and Barnabas had every right to ask for wages and to be provided for without doing manual labor, but in fact, they did the very opposite, they did what they could so as not to be a burden on any one.

The NLT words it, “Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?”

Paul was a tentmaker by trade, and he relied on that trade to support himself in Corinth on his second missionary journey. In Corinth, Paul met fellow tentmakers Priscilla and Aquila.

Acts 18:3-4:
“Because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks”

This godly approach allowed them to focus on their spiritual mission without any possible misunderstandings, or negative accusations regarding their motives. Paul’s motives were quite the opposite of the false teacher, which were to see how much they could enrich themselves. The way Paul conducted himself was rather a powerful lesson in humility and dedication.

Jesus gives us this principle in Luke 10:5-8:
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;”

Realistically, if Paul wanted to demand that the Corinthians provide for him, he had every right to do so, but Paul and Barnabas did not pay their own way because they were obligated to do so… they did it voluntarily.

1 Cor. 9:7:
“Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?”

Paul gives us three more rhetorical questions that illustrate that it’s customary to pay workers for what they do, in which no answer is expected.

For example, we might have a volunteer military in our country, but none of the men and women who serve our country and put their lives on the line are expected to work a job outside the military to support themselves at their own expense… they get paid.

The same thing with a farmer who plants a vineyard, when harvest season comes, his produce is not given away for free, he expects some kind of payment, whether in money or product.

As with the shepherd, he doesn’t run around with the dirty nasty sheep because it’s fun; it’s his job and he gets paid in some way for what he does.

So why shouldn’t it be true for God’s workers as well? No, I’m not teaching you this in hopes of being paid.

Actually, for those of you who have supported this church, all of that money is used for church purposes only. Your coming here each week is payment enough for me!

1 Cor. 9:8:
“I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things?”

This principle isn’t merely according to human judgment as we have seen, but God’s Law teaches it as well.

1 Cor. 9:9:
“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?

Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 25:4, and what this came down to was, the oxen could eat while they worked. So if the ox is grinding corn, he can eat the corn. It would be pretty mean to do otherwise. It would be like asking a kid to stuff cookies into baggies, and not let them do some quality control while doing it.

So, if God cares that an ox gets paid for its work, how much more does He care that men get compensated as well?

1 Cor. 9:10:
“Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.”

God is speaking to us altogether for our sake. A fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, it’s a principle that applies today. This is very basic stuff; people should earn a living from their labors.

2 Thess. 3:7-10:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.”

Paul was always a great example before the people, and at the end of these verses we see another principle… if you don’t work, you don’t eat, but of course this doesn’t apply to those who can’t work. In a well-functioning society, there shouldn’t be any free rides.

The bottom line in our text is Paul had every right to apply God’s principles to himself. It means working men should be paid for their work, conversely, those working in the ministry for God, should be paid for their work as well. The funny thing is, Paul never asked to be paid. Paul’s life was always a living testimony… he says, “Not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.” (2 Thess. 3:9)

1 Cor. 9:11:
“If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”

Paul was truly invested in the Corinthian believers, and spiritually speaking, Paul had plowed the soil in Corinth and planted the seeds of Christ’s holy gospel. The harvest Paul saw was the conversion of their souls.

To continue with the farming metaphor, Paul was also plowing for those who would follow in his footsteps. It’s only right that future pastors and teachers would receive material rewards from those they are serving.

1 Tim. 5:17 (NLT):
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.”

John MacArthur says, “The Lord’s servants deserve to be supported well. There should not be a double standard, applying to preachers, missionaries, and other Christian ministers a standard that is lower than that set for those laboring in the system of man. We should pay them as generously as is feasible and leave the stewardship of that money to them, just as we expect the stewardship of our own money to be left to us.”

Gal. 6:6-10:
“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”

The churches of Macedonia, those at Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and perhaps others, consistently supported Paul financially as a pastor while he worked among them and also as a missionary after he left. In addition, they gave to help other churches as well.

1 Cor. 9:12:
“If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.”

(NLT) “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.”

As we started out in 1 Corinthians, it was obvious that there was a general support for others, such as Apollos and Peter. As the church’s founding pastor and as an apostle, Paul had more of a claim on their support than the others, but he did not use this right.

Like I mentioned before, the reason Paul is laying out these precepts is for the ones who would come after him, building the case that the people of God must support His commissioned workers.

But we endure all things…

The word endure (stegō) means “to bear or to pass over in silence.” Paul had an attitude that we should all adapt… he never complained, he did what was necessary to complete his missions… he was always willing to step into the realm of “self-denial” in order to serve Christ.

By doing this, he was never a hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Paul knew people’s sensitivities, and the last thing he wanted people to think about him was that he was in this for the money. There are far too many churches that “bang the gong” of the offering plate, which can sour a new believer very quickly.

Then there are those who live “high on the hog” off unsuspecting immature Christians… “For just $59.95 you will receive this holy hanky, which you can take into your prayer closet, and God will answer all your prayers.”

I don’t want to stand too close to these charlatans as they face God’s judgment one day.

As we learn more and more about Paul’s ministry and all his missionary trips, we can come to the conclusion that he was a true spiritual pioneer for God. His primary objective was to bring the gospel message to the Gentiles. Paul found himself in virgin territories in that, the Gentiles he was with not only knew nothing about the New Testament, but the Old Testament as well.

In contrast, the Jews, who the other apostles were reaching, were accustomed to God’s ministers being supported by His people. As we might say today, Paul could “read the room,” and it was important to him that those he ministered to did not think that he was in it for the money.

1 Cor. 9:13:
“Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar?”

Here we have Paul giving the Corinthians a lesson from the ways of the Old Testament.

Numbers 18:8-9 (NLT):
“The Lord gave these further instructions to Aaron: “I myself have put you in charge of all the holy offerings that are brought to me by the people of Israel. I have given all these consecrated offerings to you and your sons as your permanent share.

You are allotted the portion of the most holy offerings that is not burned on the fire. This portion of all the most holy offerings – including the grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings – will be most holy, and it belongs to you and your sons.”

God makes it clear, that those who work for Him should be taken care of.

1 Cor. 9:14:
“So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

This is something Jesus ordained.

Luke 10:7 (Jesus giving instructions to His disciples as He was sending them out):
“Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.”

It’s pretty clear that God commands His people to give their support to the ones He has ordained to do His work, but He doesn’t command the ordained to accept payment.

1 Cor. 9:15:
“But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one.”

So far in chapter 9, Paul has given six reasons why he had every right to be supported, and then Paul says to us…

But I have used none of these things… and then he adds that he’s not done any clever scheming… And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case. Paul’s saying this because people were no less skeptical back then than they are today. In Corinth just as today, there were teachers both Christian and pagan, who were underhanded, plotting and conspiring to rip the people off. Paul’s motives were pure.

For it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one…

Paul would rather die than for anyone to misunderstand his godly intentions.

1 Peter 5:2:
“Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”

Peter and Paul were definitely on the same page.

Acts 20:33-35 (NLT) [the heart of Paul]:
“I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Paul was a “low impact” preacher, he would present rivers of living water to all who would listen, then move on, leaving people richer than when he found them.

1 Cor. 9:16:
“For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

Paul spoke of boasting all the way back in chapter 1.

1 Cor. 1:31:
“Just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

Romans 15:15-17:
But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, so that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God.”

Ever since Jesus knocked Paul off his horse on the way to Damascus, he’s never been the same… Jesus has had his undivided attention from that point on.

For I am under compulsion…

I found this definition of compulsion out of Webster’s dictionary and I like it; “an irresistible persistent impulse to perform.”

1 Cor. 1:17:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

Jeremiah was a prophet who was down and out at times; the people weren’t listening to him and some were even trying to kill him… and then he says;

Jeremiah 20:9 (NLT):
“But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!”

Like Jeremiah, Paul was under compulsion to speak the truth of Christ’s gospel, it was in his bones and coursing through his veins.

Col. 1:25:
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,”

As we examine Paul’s drive within him, ask yourself, has God bestowed something on you? Is there something He is compelling you to do, but you’ve been slow in responding? Spiritual food for thought.

Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel…

Woe means “grief, anguish, affliction, wretchedness, calamity, or trouble.”

Paul understands the serious and compelling responsibility of him preaching the gospel, that’s why he says, “Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

James 3:1:
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.”

The severest judgments are promised on unfaithful ministers. It is the highest calling a person can receive, to have the privilege of preaching the gospel… the Word of God.

1 Cor. 9:17:
“For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.”

(NLT) “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.”

This was Paul’s calling, or to use a stronger term, this was Paul’s stewardship. God had given him a divine stewardship, and with that, he should be found faithful in fulfilling it.

One Bible commentary describes stewardship, “as someone gives us something or some responsibility that is valued to them, in which the receiver is to care for properly.”

In this case, God is the giver of what He highly values, and He has given Paul all that he would need to effectively preach the gospel. For Paul and anyone else called to minister, if they fall short, stern discipline is promised.

I’ll close with this…

Paul got personal tonight. He started out by affirming his credentials as an apostle and then quickly made the case for those called into service to God. It’s expected in a normal society that once a person is able, they are to work and to be able to support themselves and their families.

God has chosen certain individuals to do His work on this earth, namely, preaching the gospel. If a pastor does his job correctly, it takes more hours than people know. It’s a work that requires time, effort, heart and soul. God wants to make sure these people are taken care of.

Whenever he was able, Paul worked with his hands so that new believers would come away thinking he was the real deal and not some flimflam man… they could trust him and God.