1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:1

After exhorting the Corinthian believers to lay down their liberty in order that others wouldn’t stumble, here in chapter 9, Paul uses himself as an example of what it means to do this… An apostle is one who was sent out as a spiritual statesman. Paul had been sent to the Corinthians to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to disciple and develop them as he labored among them.

1 Corinthians 9:4

In these first six verses, Paul says, “Because we are apostles, we have the right to be supported financially as are James, Jude, Peter, and the other apostles.”

1 Corinthians 9:7

“In addition to our apostleship, human logic dictates that we be supported, says Paul. “After all, who goes to war and pays for his own equipment?” Paul is right. Those who enlist in the navy don’t have to provide their own ships. Those who join the air force don’t have to bring their own planes. No, if you serve in the army or navy, your needs are covered. Not only are military personnel provided for, but the farmer and the shepherd are allowed to eat of the fruit of their own labor.

1 Corinthians 9:8

Paul appeals to the law itself as substantiation for his right to financial support.

1 Corinthians 9:9

This law is not only for the benefit of oxen. It’s an illustration for people. Hope being the absolute expectation of coming good, the one who plows away in ministry should expect good things to come his way. “Carnal things” referring to finances, Paul goes on to give a fourth reason why he had a right to be supported in ministry…

1 Corinthians 9:12

“It’s already your custom to support other ministers,” says Paul. “So why would it be unusual to support us?”

1 Corinthians 9:13

Paul not only referred to Old Testament law, but to the practices of the Old Testament community as he reminds the Corinthian believers that priests partook of a portion of the sacrifices brought to the altar.

1 Corinthians 9:14

“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves,” Jesus said when He sent His disciples out, “for the workman is worthy of his meat” (Mat_10:9-10). It is to this command Paul refers.

1 Corinthians 9:15

On the basis of apostolic authority, human logic, Old Testament law, present custom, Old Testament community, and Jesus’ command, Paul makes a persuasive and powerful case that he had the right to be supported in ministry. But then he says he would rather die than cause the Corinthian believers to stumble in this area. You see, in Corinth at this time there were a number of teachersboth Christian and paganwho were ripping people off financially. Therefore, Paul laid aside his right to be supported in ministry so as not to wound the weak conscience of the Corinthian church. There are those who use this passage to say that’s the way every ministry should bethat pastors or ministers have no right to be supported. But those who do fail to figure 2Co_11:8 into the equation, wherein Paul says he was able to forfeit his right to be supported by the Corinthian church only because he was receiving support from other churches. In addition, we know from Act_18:3 that Paul worked with his own hands making tents so as not to be a burden to the believers.

1 Corinthians 9:16

“I don’t glory in the fact that I let go of my right to be supported in order that I might preach to you,” says Paul, “for I have no other choice but to preach.” “I’m tired of speaking in the name of the Lord,” cried Jeremiah from his dungeon cell. “No one is listening to me. People are mad at me. Some are even trying to kill me. I’m going to speak no more,” he saiduntil he realized that the Word of God was like fire in his bones and he could not keep quiet (Jer_20:9). That’s what happens in ministry, doesn’t it? You just can’t keep God’s Word to yourself!

1 Corinthians 9:17

“Woe is me if I don’t preach,” says Paul. “If I do it willingly, I’ll have a reward. But even if I do it because I have no other choice, the gospel has been entrusted to me.”

1 Corinthians 9:18

“I’m not going to charge for the gospel,” Paul declares. “I’m not going to lay a burden on people, play games with people, or present fund-raising gimmicks to people.”

1 Corinthians 9:19

“Because I laid down my rights in order that you wouldn’t stumble, I’m free,” declares Paul. “To the Jews, I don’t flaunt my liberty. Instead, I become like them,” said Paul. And indeed he did. It was for this reason he circumcised Timothy (Act_16:3).

1 Corinthians 9:21

Even as he didn’t flaunt his liberty before the Jews, Paul didn’t force the law upon the Gentiles. Without compromising his morals or violating his principles, he fit in with the folks to whom he was called to ministerthat he might win them to Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:23

Paul gave up his rights in ministry. He blended in with Jews and Gentiles in humility because, rather than be an obstacle that caused people to stumble, Paul chose to be a stone upon which they could step.

1 Corinthians 9:24

“Here’s why I let go of my liberty,” declares Paul. “I understand the big picture of eternity.” Paul knew heaven was real. Left for dead outside the city of Lystra (Act_14:19), Paul was caught up into the third heaven. “Whether or not I was in the Spirit or actually transported physically, I don’t really know,” he said, “but somehow I was there. And what I saw was so amazing that I can’t even describe it to you” (see 2Co_12:2-4). Because he had a “sneak preview of coming attractions,” Paul set his sight on winning the prize. Lest you think there’s no use running a race in which spiritual giants like Paul are sure to lap you time and time again, understand this: We’re not competing against any other brother or sister. We’re competing against ourselves. In His teaching on the talents and pounds (Matthew 25; Luke 19), Jesus makes this very clear. Is what the Lord entrusted uniquely to you being developed for His glory? Are you laying down your rights and privileges to see others brought into the kingdom? Such is the nature of the race we run.

1 Corinthians 9:25

Still speaking of sports, Paul changes his metaphor to that of a wrestling match. The reason Paul alludes to sports in this way is because the Isthmus Gamesthe second most important athletic games in the regiontook place in Corinth. Consequently, they knew about running races and wrestling matches. They watched the athletes arrive a year before the games took place to train single-mindedly in order to win the prizea little laurel wreath to put on one’s head. “Look at what these athletes do to win a simple crown of leaves,” Paul says. “The crown for which you race is incorruptible. It will last forever.” “So what?” you say. “If you looked in my closet, you wouldn’t find a single crown because I’m not into them.” Really? Of the five crowns identified in Scripture, the crown to which Paul refers here, is linked to the declaration in Pro_11:30 that “he who wins souls is wise"and to that of Daniel, that “they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever” (see Pro_12:3). To you who are more concerned about seeing people saved than about your own pleasure, ease, or liberty a crown will be givennot merely to wear on your head, but, in light of 1Co_15:41-42, that will determine your function and capacity to enjoy eternity. You see, while everyone in heaven will be completely happy and totally joyful (Psa_16:11), the crowns we win on earth will have a direct link to our function and our capacity to enjoy eternity. Benjamin was thrilled. Mrs. Williams, his kindergarten teacher, appointed him Chair Monitor. As Chair Monitor, he got to make sure all the chairs were slid under the desks when the bell rang. He couldn’t have been happier. Now, if I were appointed Chair Monitor, I wouldn’t jump up and down and say, “I can’t wait to tell my wife, Tammy!” For me, the position of Chair Monitor no longer has an impact because at this point, my capacity, understanding, and involvement with life is bigger than that. So, too, Jesus told us that in heaven, some will rule over ten cities, others five cities, others oneand some will be Chair Monitors. Understanding this, Paul knew that a crown is not a fashion statement, but rather an indication of what we will be doing for the next zillion years. What if we, like Paul, really believed this? I guarantee every one of us would be looking for opportunities to be stepped on if it meant that the person for whom we laid down our rights would see something of Jesus or come into a saving knowledge of Him. What you do with your life is so important, gang. Don’t bury your talents. Don’t waste your time. Don’t fritter away your resources and money foolishly. Run to win the prize.

1 Corinthians 9:26

This last phrase would be more correctly translated, “I keep my body under.” Before you were saved, your body was not “under.” Your body was on top. That is, your flesh governed your soulyour mind and emotions. It also governed your spiritthe real you that lives forever. To see how true this is, all you have to do is listen to the conversations that take place at work or on the campus, wherein you’ll hear the average person talk only about his bodyabout his financial concerns and recreational pursuits, his occupational goals and physical needs. But when the natural man gets saved, suddenly everything is different. The flesh no longer dominates him. The spirit is now on top, and suddenly there’s peace in his heart and life makes sense. Because the flesh hates the basement, however, as time goes on, it demands to be on top again. And when it is, the new believer’s life is a mess, for to be carnally minded is death (Rom_8:6). So eventually, he gets to the place where he says, “Lord, forgive me. I’ve given in to the flesh again.” He confesses his sin, turns his life back over to God, and his body is “under” once more. Does this war have to go on daily, hourly, constantly? Paul says here’s the key: “I keep my body under. I will not allow my body to determine what I watch, read, listen to, or think about. I will keep my body in the basement.” How can this be accomplished? Let me suggest to you one very practical way: How long has it been since you’ve said, “No,” to your stomach? How long has it been since you’ve said, “I’m going to use the hour I would have spent feeding my growling, demanding stomach in order to pull away and pray for my family, for the community, and for myself.” I find it interesting that Jesus didn’t say, “If you fast,…” but, “When you fast…” (Mat_6:16). In other words, the assumption is that we will fast. When you regularly say, “No,” to your stomach, you’ll be amazed how much easier it will be to say, “No,” to the other temptations that plague you. Fasting from food is only one of the many disciplines the Bible teaches. Another is saying, “No,” when your body says, “Hit the snooze bar.” It’s saying, “See, body, you’re under. You’re not ruling me. I’m out of bed. I’m on my knees. I’m in the Word.” It’s following the example of Jesus, who rose up a great while before morning to seek His Father. “I keep my body under,” Paul says. “I’m tired of my body ruling me, and the death it brings inevitably. Therefore, my spirit, ruled by God’s Spirit, will be that which controls my soulmy will, my personality, my emotions.” Newer translations correctly render the word “castaway” as “disqualified.” Thus, Paul is saying, “I let go of my liberty in order that I might win people to Jesus. Why? Because I’m in a race for a prize that will affect who I am and what I do in the ages to come. Therefore, even though I am free to do all things, I can be disqualified if I don’t keep my flesh under control, if I cause another to stumble.” You’ll never regret knocking fleshly pursuits out of your life, gang. I promise you, you’ll never regret the things you let go of that would have tripped others and disqualified you; those things that would have wiped out your spiritual stamina and affected your endurance. Are you as disciplined in your spiritual life today as you were a year ago? Or has your appreciation for the finished work of the Cross and your understanding that your salvation is secure apart from anything you do or don’t do skewed your thinking? Yes, you’re free, but have you used that liberty in a way that’s tripping others and disqualifying yourself? Use your liberty wisely, precious people. Keep your body under, for to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded brings abundant life and perfect peace.