A Worker Worthy

INTRO

Yesterday we studied chapter 8 and Paul’s teachings on eating food that had been sacrificed to idols. Constable mentions that chapter 9 is a continuation of the discussion from chapter 8. He explains: “Evidently the Corinthian Christians had misunderstood Paul’s policy of limiting the exercise of his freedom in order to help others (8:13). Some in the church had apparently concluded that because he did not exercise his rights, he therefore did not have them: for example, his right to material support (2 Corinthians 12:13).”¹ Therefore, some Corinthians did not want to submit to Paul’s authority.

TEACHING

1 Corinthians 9:1-14: Paul responded to their lack of trust in his authority by asking four questions to point out his authority: Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord (v. 1)?¹ All these questions expect a positive response. Proof of his apostolic identity included:

• Only those who had seen the risen Lord in person received the title of apostle (Acts 1:21–22).
• Paul met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:14–15).
• Paul also founded the church in Corinth (Romans 15:15–21).

According to Ephesians 4:11–12, God gave some the spiritual gift of apostleship. Are there apostles today? There are still countries that have people groups who have never heard the gospel. It’s possible that in those situations, God would still give the gift of apostleship. I don’t think we can say apostles and prophets are no longer needed.

Paul then moved into the area of apostolic rights using another set of questions (v. 4). His first question was whether he had the right to eat and drink “. . .at the expense of others. It means to accept financial support in his ministry.”² His second question was about having the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife (v. 5). This is one of the few places in which Christian wives of the apostles are mentioned. According to this, Peter traveled with his wife. Constable explains that it was customary for the church leaders that Paul listed to travel with their wives in ministry, and the local churches would pay for the expenses of the ministers and their wives.³ (Mark 1:29–31). Wives mattered in their ministries.

Paul’s third question was whether he and Barnabas could not work to pay their own expenses (v. 6) (Acts 18:3). Paul reminded his readers he paid his own expenses, taking nothing from the church (v. 7). He even used three illustrations: soldiers, farmers, and shepherds, to explain he had the right to be paid by the congregation. In verses 9-10, Paul quoted Deuteronomy 25:4 to explain that according to the Mosaic Law, “God was teaching His concern for the maintenance of all who serve others, not just oxen.”⁴ (Philippians 4:15–16).

In verses 11-12, Paul was not asking for money but rather was pointing out he had earned support through his ministry (Romans 15:25–27). This is why churches financially support ministers and evangelists. People sow into Time to Revive and Revive School, and we’re grateful for that support. Constable explains Paul “chose rather to support himself, so his work of establishing the church might not suffer from the criticism that he was serving for the material benefits he derived from his converts.”⁵ Paul wrote that the Lord commanded those who preach the gospel would earn their living by the gospel (vv. 13–14).

In Luke 10:5–8, Jesus told those He sent out to go to a town and find a person of peace to stay with, eating and drinking what they were given, because “the worker is worthy of his wages.” Time to Revive is dependent upon people of peace who come alongside us and support us in our ministry. We couldn’t do what we do without them. When we come into a city, we just trust that the Lord will meet our needs.

1 Corinthians 9:15–27: In this section, Paul moved on to the subject of apostolic restraint and the fact that he had not used his apostolic rights for financial support (v. 15). Paul said that God called him to preach the gospel, and he would have been disobedient (“woe is me”) if he had not followed that call (v. 16; Acts 9:3–6). Paul said he knew he would survive through God’s provision, whether through the support of others or through his own efforts (v. 17). His reward was to preach the gospel free of charge to all (v. 18).

Paul explained that he had apostolic freedom and was a free man, but he had made himself a slave to all in order to preach the gospel. He said he would do whatever it took to connect with both the Jews and the Gentiles (vv. 19–21). Paul said that to the weak he had become weak; he became all things to all people, in order to lead people to the Lord (vv. 22–23). Paul described runners in a race with only one winner and told his readers to run their “race” in such a way as to win the prize. He said he would run hard, discipline his body, and preach until he was done (vv. 24–27).

CLOSING

Paul says he’s going to go until he drops; he’s going to preach, teach and deliver the good news until he’s done. I love this picture. Let’s do the same.