Apostolic freedom 9:19-23The extent to which the apostle was willing to lay aside his rights comes out in this pericope. Since Paul chose not to receive pay for his ministry in Corinth, he was free from the restrictions that patronage might impose. This left him free to become the slave of all. read more
9:19 [possible]. (h-19) 'The most possible' gives the sense. It is used for the major part of any body, and hence for the mass opposed to leaders. It is not 'the more,' i.e. so much the more, but the greatest number possible, the whole mass that he could reach by these means. read more
(b) Food offered to Idols(ii) St. Paul’s own ExampleSt. Paul has appealed to the ’enlightened’ converts at Corinth to give up for the sake of others a practice which they might otherwise have had no hesitation in indulging. He now strengthens this appeal by pointing to his own example of self-denial. As an Apostle he had the right to maintenance from the Church, but had refrained from exercising it, lest he might be suspected of preaching for gain.Since his opponents declared that he maintained... read more
(19) For.—The question is here answered. His reward was to gain the greater number of converts—Jews (1 Corinthians 9:20), Gentiles (1 Corinthians 9:21), weak ones (1 Corinthians 9:22). The only reward he sought for or looked for in adopting that course of conduct, for pursuing which they taunted him with selfishness, was, after all, their good.The word “For,” introducing the answer, would seem to imply that the reward must be a greater one. “For” though an Apostle, I became a slave of all that... read more
1 Corinthians 9:15 You find these heroic words in 1 Corinthians 9:15 . I purposely cut the text short here, and leave every man to fill up the concluding sentence for himself. Paul tells us the reason, but Paul's reason may not be ours. We have a great principle laid down here, and it is for each man in his own sphere and in his own way to apply that principle. I want every man who is here to take this as a motto, a living principle, a perpetual rule of life. 'It were better for me to die than... read more
Chapter 13MAINTENANCE OF THE MINISTRYIN the preceding chapter Paul has disposed of the question put to him regarding meats offered in sacrifice to idols. He has taken occasion to point out that in matters morally indifferent Christian men will consider the scruples of weak, and prejudiced, and superstitious people. He has inculcated the duty of accommodating ourselves to the consciences of less enlightened persons, if we can do so without violating our own. For his own part, he is prepared,... read more
6. Paul’s Gracious Example. CHAPTER 9 1. The Apostle’s rights. (1 Corinthians 9:1-14 ). 2. He waives his rights for the Gospel’s sake. (1 Corinthians 9:15-23 ). 3. The race-course and the crown. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ). The great principle laid down in the previous chapter to forego one’s Christian liberty, the Apostle Paul enforced by his own example. He was an Apostle and had seen the Lord Jesus, from whom he had received his apostleship (Galatians 1:1 ). From the second verse we learn... read more
Because of the lowliness and grace on the part of the apostle, such as chapter 8 shows in the consideration of his brethren, there were some who would use this as an occasion to belittle him. He made no arrogant show of his liberty or of his authority as an apostle, as did "false apostles" (2 Corinthians 11:13-20); and evidently some, on this account, moved by fleshly vanity, dared to question whether he were an apostle at all. Behind this was the subtle enmity of Satan; for in order to... read more
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND ITS ABUSE The Christian church was composed largely of Gentiles, who, when they were pagans, worshipped idols, with animal sacrifices and feasts in the idols’ temples. Having become Christians, their practices were discontinued, though pagan neighbors might occasionally invite them, in a social way, to join in such feasts. The question had arisen as to their Christian liberty to accept such invitations. A “liberal” party in the church not only favored it, but indeed... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 9:19
Paul was a free man, not a slave of any other human being. Nevertheless as the Lord’s servant, he had made himself subject to every other human being so he might win some to Christ. Serving people rather than commanding them is the way to win them (cf. Mark 10:45). read more