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Chapter 9
- To support and encourage the Corinthians in their struggle for integrity within a hostile environment, Paul draws
principles from his own life and - in Chap 10 - from the example of Israel as recorded in scripture. But first he must
defend his authority against attacks and misunderstandings that suggest he is less than the other Apostles, first his
rights, and then his freedom, as an Apostle - completely free to proclaim and live the Gospel as he felt compelled to
by his faith, and free from influence by any man. And so freedom to restrict his own freedom in the way he prefers.
- 1 Paul has rights and privileges like the other Apostles, but he has chosen to give some up for the sake of the
community - an example to them of the strong considering the needs of the weak. He is entitled to material support
from the community he serves, but he has chosen to work for a living. The Corinthians saw an Apostle as someone
with authority, leading a Christian community as a master. Paul sees Christian leadership rather in terms of
leadership by a servant. An Apostle is one who is sent - and therefore an Apostle is defined at least partly by the
community he is sent to.
- 2 Paul appears hurt by the Corinthians doubting his true apostleship - at least they ought to accept his authority. He
sees the existence of the Church at Corinth a placing a seal on his apostleship, since he established that Church after
great difficulty.
- 3 Perhaps a little hurt that he should have to defend his authority as an Apostle, but humble enough to do so. He does
so by claiming certain rights as an Apostle.
- 4 Like the other Apostles, Paul is entitled to be fed by the community he serves.
- 5 And to take a wife, asserting that the other Apostles are married, including James and Peter. An interesting claim -
that both he and a wife are entitled to be supported by the community he serves. Perhaps wives of other Apostles
looked after their basic household needs - Paul unmarried has to see to these himself. Was he an odd man out in this
respect? Cf the Christian women who ministered to Jesus (Lk 8:2-3).
- 6 And the right not to work, although Paul has renounced this right. Interesting mention of Barnabas, who was
wealthy enough not to need to work (Acts 4:36-37). Perhaps the Corinthians were touchy that a wealthy man should
expect to receive their hospitality. Many times Paul emphasises that he supported himself by manual work with
leather, so that he was free to proclaim the Gospel. Not only did his manual occupation bring him into contact with a
wide range of people, to whom he could proclaim the Gospel, but alternatives, such a patron, charging students fees,
or begging, would hinder or influence his work. But it might have seemed to reduce his authority by working at the
level of a slave. And some wealthy Corinthians might have been upset at not being Paul’s patrons.
- 7 Paul gives examples from ordinary life of trades that provide material support - soldier, farmer, shepherd. It would
not be expected otherwise! So a Christian minister is entitled to expect similar sustenance from his work.
- 8 Even the law - scripture - supports this.
- 9 The ox treading the grain is allowed to eat some of the grain to feed himself (Deut 25:4). Reminds us to care for
animals.
- 10 Scripture is here giving us a lesson: we should work in hope that we will be fed and rewarded justly.
- 11 Since Greeks saw the spirit as superior to the flesh, surely giving spiritual sustenance justifies a material reward?
Those who have been fed spiritually should give thanks to God for what they have received by giving hospitality to
those who brought them such gifts.
- 12 The Corinthians do behave in this supportive way to others - why not to him? Paul has given them more benefits
than the other Apostles - he is more entitled to their material support - which they are giving - than they are. Yet he is
not exercising this right to avoid his life-style placing an obstacle to their believing. Far from his behaving differently
from the other Apostles detracting from his authority, it underlines that his willingness to endure hardship for the
Gospel should be an example to them of how to live the Gospel. He urges then to "Imitate me!" He endures all for
the sake of the Gospel, not putting an obstacle - literally a “cutting into a road to prevent an enemy’s advance” - Paul
wants a clear road for the Gospel.
- 13 Paul's 4th argument is from both pagan and Jewish temple practice - the temple priests share in the temple
offerings for their sustenance, and with scriptural support to do so (Num 18:8ff).
- 14 Jesus also said preachers should live by the Gospel (Matt 10:14).
- 15 Paul is not making use if these rights, but he is not saying this in order to prompt the Corinthians to give him these
rights. But even the Lord's command can be set aside for the sake of the community, as Paul has done in this
instance. (As for divorce.) Even the sayings of Jesus cannot be applied legalistically, disregarding the needs of the
community. All is subject the prime command - to love (Rom 13:8-10). Paul’s point is that the Corinthians should
follow his example and similarly be willing to give up - rather than continually insisting on - their rights. Paul refuses
to limit his preaching the Gospel to communities that will support him - there is no limit to the Gospel. This gives
him the freedom to say whatever needs to be said, without jeopardising his livelihood. Nor will it deprive him of
being able to boast of the Lord’s work (not his work). The beginnings of the Pauline paradox of glorying in
weakness?
- 16 He does not boast about preaching the Gospel, for this is an obligation placed on him by Christ (Phil 3:12), who
made it clear that we should do his work because we owe it to him, and then we should not expect any more
recompense than that due to servants (Lk 17:7010). But he does boast of being able to preach free of charge.
- 17 If I preach willingly, then I have a reward - the overwhelming joy of offering the Gospel. If unwillingly, then I am
simply doing what I have been entrusted to do as a steward.
- 18 My reward is that I can offer the Gospel free of charge, and so demonstrate my freedom by not accepting material
support.
- 19 Freedom is not an absolute for Paul: it is always freedom from something (sin, death) for service (to God/Christ).
Paul has made himself free so that he might be a slave to all, making himself acceptable to all by his behaviour, so
that the Gospel message will be heard.
- 20 For the Gospel Paul became free for service of all - he is not limited to serving Jews or Greeks, seeking to bring
salvation to as many as possible. When with Jews he adheres to the law, even though he is no longer subject to the
law.
- 21 Becoming like those he wishes to convert and serve. To non-Jews he does not conform to Jewish law and
practices, although he is - of course - under Christ’s law - the law of love. He seeks to “win” as many as possible-
- 22 - in the hope of “saving” some. Becoming weak to win the weak, who might be overawed by appearing strong.
- 23 All for the Gospel. Should we also be spiritual chameleons like Paul, mixing with and being accepted by the
communities around us? Separating ourselves into church communities, full of cosy meetings and holy talk, may not
be the best way of winning people in the surrounding pagan culture to the Gospel. There are dangers in Paul’s
approach - of seeming insincere and hypocritical, and also of upsetting some already converted: Paul could obviously
upset Jewish Christians by appearing to ignore the law - and often did!
- 24 But Paul runs to win, The Corinthians had become spiritually flabby - they needed to train and discipline
themselves like athletes.
- 25 like the athlete renouncing all that will prevent him winning. This requires balancing between extremes of
overindulgence and asceticism. Keep focused on the goal. Paul does not imply that only some can win - all can
reach the goal.
- 26 Not running aimlessly or shadow-boxing,
- 27 but training to win, remembering that the enemy may be within. Paul himself is not immune to thinking the race
is over, and he can give up trying to win.