May 3, 2021
After spending 11 verses establishing his authority as an
apostle and the accompanying rights and privileges to which
he is entitled, Paul makes what could be an unexpected turn:
refusing the comforts of material gain. He does not assert
his rights, preferring instead to “endure anything rather than put
an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (1
Corinthians 9:12). This humility and commitment to service, as
modeled by Paul, is the subject of many of the psalms
and hymns we sing this morning. We sing of ourselves as the “humble
poor” who rejoice at our redeemer’s provision
(O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing). We marvel that our
Lord is mindful of us and cares for us (O Lord, Our
Lord,
How Majestic Is Your Name—Psalm 8), and we treasure His
promises to those who are hungry, mourning or “bowed
down” (Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah—Psalm 146). His Word
describes the blessings that fall to those whose faith is made
manifest in “humble joy,” “holy fear,” and “deep repentance”
(Blest Is The Man—Psalm 32), and we respond with
“humble adoration” (How Great Thou Art). What is the end
of this humility? Service to our brothers (Galatians 5:13),
to our God, and to His church. By laying all our trophies down
(Jesus Paid It All), we are free to “give heart and
mind
and soul and strength to serve the King of Kings” (Rise Up, O Men
Of God). —Henry C. Haffner
Key Words: Right, Obstacle, Gospel, Preach,
Boasting, Reward
Keystone Verse: Nevertheless, we have not made use
of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an
obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. (1 Corinthians
9:12)
1 Corinthians
9:1-18
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are not you my workmanship in
the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I
am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in
the Lord.3 This is my defense to those who would examine
me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and
drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a
believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers
of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I
who have no right to refrain from working for a
living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its
fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?
8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the
Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the
Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the
grain.” Is it for oxen that God is
concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake?
It was written for our sake, because the plowman
should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in
the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual
things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from
you? 12 If others share this rightful claim
on you, do not we even more?
Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure
anything rather than put an obstacle
in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know
that those who are employed in the temple service
get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar
share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the
same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel
should get their living by the gospel.
15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am
I writing these things to secure any such
provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my
ground for boasting. 16 For if I
preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For
necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do
not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own
will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am
still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my
reward? That in my preaching I may present the
gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in
the gospel.