1 Corinthians 9:1-19

The principle called for in 1 Cor. 8 is discretion.  In our lives as believers the issue is not “what is my right” or “what do I have authority to do” in a situation.  Rather we show discretion; we live our lives so as to achieve a purpose that is greater than our own comfort.  This is illustrated in this chapter by the apostle himself.  His own ministry showcases discretion and the related trait, discipline.

In vs1-11 Paul speaks of his right, the Greek term for authority.  As an Apostle he had the right to eat and drink (v4), the right to have a wife accompanying him on his travels (v5), and the right to be paid by those to whom he ministered rather than to have to work on the side (v6-14).  Likely the last issue gets the most attention because it was the biggest issue among the Corinthian believers.  

(Note that Paul refers to himself and Barnabas, v6.  This is after their argument in Acts 15:36-41 that resulted in each going in different directions in ministry.  However you understand the argument don’t think that either bore a grudge against the other; they just continued to serve Christ according to their callings.)

These rights were related to Paul’s statement that he was free (9:19).  In the teaching on contentment in 1 Cor. 7:20-24 Paul had spoken about freemen and slaves.  Freemen had rights in the Roman empire; slaves had none.  He made it clear that for Christians their identity is not wrapped up in their status in society.  Christian slaves and Christian freemen were equal in the Body of Christ.  In essence, Paul is applying this attitude to himself.  His self-identity is not defined by living free; he is happy to live as a slave.  Why can he say this?  Because in the Kingdom of God there is much more at stake than one’s rights.  There is:

·        The gospel of Christ, v12.  Paul wanted to do nothing that would hinder or put an unnecessary stumbling block (cf. 8:9,13) that would keep people from hearing and receiving the gospel.

·        The necessity of preaching the gospel, v16.  This had to be done and nothing could stand in the way.  So Paul was willing to remain single (remember 7:7-8,26,29-31) so he could be more devoted to his calling!  He was willing to forego a regular paycheck even though others did not have such discipline.

·        The hope of greater response to the gospel, v19.  Paul’s idea was that by these steps he took more would hear and more would believe and be won to Christ.

Passages like this challenge us to consider again the question: what is truly important to me?  We have a life that the Bible refers to as a vapor, a wisp of smoke that is here and then immediately gone.  We must not live life here as if this were our final resting place.  I love Spurgeon’s thoughts about this life in his Morning and Evening devotional (morning for April 19): The distance between glorified spirits in heaven and militant saints on earth seems great; but it is not so. We are not far from home—a moment will bring us there. Our lives are short.  To forego freedoms here for the sake of eternity is holy good sense!