Devotional Questions:
1 Corinthians 9:1-15
- In what ways did Apostle Paul and Barnabas deny themselves of the many privileges which they themselves had a perfect right to claim? Are there people who labor in the Lord on my behalf while denying themselves certain “rights” they can easily claim?
- What are the subtle assumptions and thoughts through which some people end up having less appreciation for something because it’s free? Do I fail to appreciate the gospel, the church, and spiritual leaders because they are freely given to me?
1 Corinthians 9:12-18
- What does the claim “we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” reveal about Apostle Paul’s priority? What were some things he “put up with” for the sake of the gospel?
- What hardships, setbacks, insults, etc., have I put up with just so that the gospel may be spread without hindrance?
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
- In v.19, Apostle Paul not only reemphasizes the fact that he is free but also talks about his efforts to make himself a slave. How did these two seemingly mutually exclusive ideas co-exist in Apostle Paul’s—and in every believer’s—life?
- Think about the difficulties of adjusting to others. Why did Apostle Paul do it? How much is evangelism central to my life as was the case for Apostle Paul?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- What does it mean to “beat my body and make it my slave?” Why is this absolutely necessary in Christian life and is there evidence of this in my life?
- What lessons do I need to apply to myself given the fact that even Apostle Paul “beat his body and made it his slave” so that he will not be disqualified for the prize? What is my attitude towards “struggle” (cf. Hebrews 12:3-4)?
Additional Questions:
1 Corinthians 9:11-12
- Why is it only right that the Corinthians who received the “spiritual seed” from Apostle Paul should provide financial support for him? If some at Corinth begrudged providing financially for Apostle Paul, what would that reveal about their value system regarding spiritual versus material things?
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
- In his appeal to the Corinthians, did Paul suggest that Christians can adopt secular values in order to save those lost in the world? What, then, does it mean to “make myself a slave to everyone” or “become all things to all men” without compromising my Christian values?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
- In what ways is Christian life similar to a race? What wrong view of “grace” and Christian life does this challenge?
- In what ways do the people of this world run aimlessly?
Commentary:
Introduction:
“At first sight this chapter seems quite disconnected from what goes before but in fact it is not. The whole point lies in this—the Corinthians who considered themselves mature Christians have been claiming that they are in such a privileged position that they are free to eat meat offered to idols if they like. Their Christian freedom gives them—as they think—a special position in which they could do things which might not be permissible to lesser men. Paul’s way of answering that argument is to set forth the many privileges which he himself had a perfect right to claim, but which he did not claim in case they should turn out to be stumbling-blocks to others and hindrances to the effectiveness of the gospel.”[1]
v.1 “Some at Corinth (2Cor 12:11-12) and elsewhere (Gal 1:1; 1:15-2:10) questioned Paul’s genuine apostleship. To certify his apostleship Paul gives this proof: that he has seen the Lord Jesus (Ac 9:1-9; 22:6-16; 26:12-18).”[2]
v.6 “It was Paul’s practice to support himself materially by tent-making (Acts 18:2,3; 1Cor 4:12) in order not to be a burden to the church. Some apparently misunderstood this to mean that he was not on par with other apostles and Christian workers who depended on the church to support them. In not denying that principle, Paul asserts, by way of a question, that he has a right to be supported.”[3]
v.12 “What Paul affirms in 9:12b is that he has chosen to look the other way, to disregard his rights, to overlook them across the board, because love calls for—and here he can express it in either two ways—making sure that no obstacle is placed in the way of the gospel of Christ or in the way of one who has been the recipient of that gospel—namely, a brother or sister in Christ. He of the unexcelled rights has chosen not to employ them because of love.”[4]
v.18 “In spite of the fact that he would take no payment, Paul knew that he received daily a great reward. He had the satisfaction of bringing the gospel freely to all men who would receive it.”[5]
v.19 “Going beyond his right to financial support, the apostle now discusses other areas of life in which he had forfeited his right to freedom in order to win more to Christ.”[6]
vv.20-22 “Paul’s model far more closely approximates ‘friendship evangelism’—coming along side and getting to know unbelievers, valuing them as God’s creation in his image in and of themselves, and not just as potential objects of conversion.”[7]
v.22 “Those with a weak conscience (1Cor 8:9-12) he also wants to be sure to win (v.22). He becomes ‘weak’—that is, he refrains from exercising his Christian freedom, and acts as they do respecting these indifferent things.”[8]
v.26 “Paul says of himself that he does not contend like an undisciplined runner or boxer. He states that he aims his blows against his own body, beating it black and blue (hypopiazo; see the same word in Luke 18:5). The picture is graphic: the ancient boxers devastatingly punishing one another with knuckles bound with leather thongs. And so by pummeling his body, Paul enslaves it in order to gain the Christian prize.”[9]
v.27 “Paul had not only to preach the gospel but also to live the gospel. The Christian, confident of God’s sovereign grace, is nevertheless conscious of his battle against sin.”[10]
[1] William Barclay, 1 Corinthians, Daily Study Bible Commentary (Philadelphia, PN: Westminster Press, 1975), notes on 1 Corinthians 9.
[2] The NIV Study Bible, study notes for 1 Corinthians 9 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1985), 1746.
[3] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for 1 Corinthians
[4] Paul J. Sampley, “The First Letter to the Corinthians,” The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. X (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2002) 905.
[5] William Barclay, 1 Corinthians, Daily Study Bible Commentary (Philadelphia, PN: Westminster Press, 1975), notes on 1 Corinthians 9.
[6] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for 1 Corinthians
[7] Craig Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, The NIV Application Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994) 188.
[8] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for 1 Corinthians
[9] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for 1 Corinthians
[10] Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for 1 Corinthians