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÷÷1 CORINTHIANS 9

1 CORINTHIANS 9

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS TO 9:1-27

1. This chapter is related to chapter 8 in the sense of seeking a balance between Christian rights and responsibilities in love (cf. Rom. 14:1-15:13 and 1 Cor. 8:1-11 and 13:1-13).
   
   
2. It is obvious from the context that Paul's leadership was being attacked by some group or groups in the church at Corinth (i.e., v. 3).
   1. rhetorically trained Greek converts
   2. Jewish itinerant teachers
   3. incipient Gnostics
   SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN FREEDOM vs. CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
   SPECIAL TOPIC: GNOSTICISM
   
   
3. There is a variety of personal PRONOUNS (and VERB forms) used in this chapter.
   1. FIRST PERSON SINGULAR, in 1 Cor. 9:1-3,6,8,15-23,26-27
   2. FIRST PERSON PLURAL, in 1 Cor. 9:4-5,10-11,25
      1. since Barnabas is mentioned specifically in 1 Cor. 9:6 he is probably to be assumed in 1 Cor. 9:4-5
      2. in 1 Cor. 9:10-11 Paul seems to include Apollos and possibly other visiting preachers, even Peter
      3. often Paul used the editorial plural "we" to speak of himself
   3. SECOND PERSON PLURAL, in 1 Cor. 9:13,24 refers to the Corinthians who claims such "full" knowledge of the things of God
   4. Paul's use of PRONOUNS is notoriously difficult and the source of many Greek manuscript variants

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-2

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-2
 ¹Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? ²If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

9:1 "Am I not free?" There is a series of rhetorical questions in this context.

1. USB⁴ has fourteen
2. NASB has sixteen
3. NKJV has fifteen
4. NRSV has sixteen
5. TEV has fourteen
6. NJB has twelve

It is uncertain if these are statements or questions (cf. Ellingworth and Hatton, A Handbook on Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, p. 193). The questions in 1 Cor. 9:1-2 all expect a "yes" answer. The question in 1 Cor. 9:6,7,10, and 11 are stated so as to expect a "no" answer.

This is the use of "free" in the sense of spiritual freedom in Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19; 10:29), not Roman freedom (i.e., political rights). In Christ the believer, now indwelt by the Spirit, now informed by the gospel, has the freedom "not to"! The power of the "fallen self," the "me first" of Genesis 3 has been replaced with "others first"! Freedom in the gospel is not "freedom to. . .," but "freedom not to. . ."! It is very different from political freedom which is really the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Fallen humanity cannot handle "freedom"! Neither can immature believers! Oh the tragedy of the tyranny of the "self."

▣ "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" This is PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE, which implies that a past action has resulted in a current state of being. Paul's apostleship was being attacked because he was not one of the original Twelve. The qualifications for an apostle were that one had been with Jesus during His earthly life and had seen the ascended Jesus (cf. Acts 1:15-26). Paul asserts that he had seen the "resurrected" Christ (cf. Acts 9:3,17,27; 22:14; 1 Cor. 15:8). Paul's call was by a special act of Christ for a special mission to the Gentiles, which demanded special revelation (i.e., the vision on the road to Damascus, cf. Acts 18:9; 23:11).

Paul not only encountered Jesus personally on the road to Damascus, but several times during his ministry Jesus, or an angel as Jesus' representative, appeared to him to encourage him (cf. Acts 18:9-11; 22:17-21), in Acts 27:23.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ASCENSION

▣ "Are you not my work in the Lord?" The evidence of Paul's apostleship was the numerous churches he had formed, of which Corinth was one (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15; 2 Cor. 3:1-3).

9:2 "If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you" This is a FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE, which shows that Paul's authority was rejected by several different factions in the early church.

1. believing Pharisees ‒ Acts 15
2. Judaizers ‒ Galatians
3. Gnostics ‒ Colossians, Ephesians, 1 John
4. educated Greek converts ‒ 1 Corinthians
5. Roman elite patron class believers ‒ 1 Corinthians

SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK GRAMMATICAL TERMS, VII.

▣ "for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord" A seal in the ancient world was a warm blob of wax into which a signet ring was pressed to seal a letter or package.

1. It was an assurance that the contents had not been opened.
2. It showed who owned the contents.
3. It showed the genuineness of the contents.
4. It was sent by the right person.

This type of seal became imagery for Christian certainty (cf. John 3:33; Rom. 4:11).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SEAL

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:3-7

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:3-7
 ³My defense to those who examine me is this: ⁴Do we not have a right to eat and drink? ⁵Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? ⁶Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working? ⁷Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?

9:3 "My defense" This term (i.e., apologia) was used of a "legal defense" (cf. Acts 19:33; 22:1; 25:16; Phil. 1:7,17; 1 Pet. 3:15). Syntactically 1 Cor. 9:3 may go with 1 Cor. 9:2 or 1 Cor. 9:4.

1. the USB⁴, NRSV, and TEV show it to go with 1 Cor. 9:4
2. the NKJV and NJB do not break the paragraph at either point

Remember, paragraphing is a hermeneutical key in interpretation, but there are no textual markers. Only subject matter determines paragraphing. This issue is why I offer several translation options at the beginning of each chapter in all my Bible Commentaries.

▣ "to those who examine me" Paul was being criticized by some group or theological faction in the Corinthian church (cf. 1 Cor. 2:15; 4:3). They were claiming

1. that he was not a true Apostle
2. that he changed the Jerusalem Apostles' message
3. that he only preached for money

These charges are not specifically stated, but assumed from the historical setting and from the subjects Paul chose to address in this letter. Remember, Paul's letters are like listening to only one half of a phone conversation.

9:4 This begins a series of questions (cf. 1 Cor. 9:4-7) where Paul asserts his right as an Apostle to be supported by the local churches. However he personally chose not to exercise his rights (cf. 1 Cor. 9:15,18; 1 Thess. 2:6), but he affirms the rights of other Christian workers.

9:5 "to take along. . .even as the rest of the apostles" The context is not directly asserting the right of the Apostles to have wives, although this is surely implied, but the right of the Apostles to have the church support them and their wives.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CELIBACY AND MARRIAGE

▣ "apostles" The term "apostles" can refer to the Twelve or the wider usage of the term (cf. Acts 14:4,14; Rom. 16:6-7; 1 Cor. 4:9; Gal. 1:9; Eph. 4:11; Phil. 2:25; 1 Thess. 2:6). Because Peter is named separately, the latter group is implied.

It is also possible that a group (i.e., one of the factions) in this church was elevating Peter's Apostleship (cf. 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22).

SPECIAL TOPIC: SEND (from which comes "apostle"), #4

In Greek there is a double pair of NOUNS, "a sister, a wife," which was idiomatic for "a believing wife." The historical problem is how is this related to

1. the women who accompanied Jesus and the Apostolic group and helped them (cf. Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:40-41) SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN WHO TRAVELED WITH JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES
2. the woman discussed in 1 Cor. 7:36-38 (i.e., a daughter or a virgin companion or a fiancee)
3. the ministry of the wives of church leaders similar to deaconesses of Rom. 16:1 or the "widows roll" of the Pastorals (cf. 1 Tim. 3:11; 5:9-10) SPECIAL TOPIC: DEACONESS

Probably all of the original Twelve were married because singleness among Jews was very rare. Jews would marry because of the commandment in Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7.

▣ "even as the rest of the apostles" The term "apostle" has several connotations in the NT.

1. those who were called by Jesus and followed Him during His earthly life
2. Paul called in a special vision on the road to Damascus
3. an ongoing gift in the church (cf. Eph. 4:11), which included several people

The textual issue here is what do we make of Paul's list.

1. the rest of the apostles
2. the brothers of the Lord
3. Cephas
4. Barnabas and Paul (v. 6)

SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTLE

▣ "the brothers of the Lord" There have several theories here.

1. Jerome (A.D. 346-420) believed these were Jesus' cousins
2. Epiphanius (A.D. 310-403) said they were children from Joseph's previous marriage
3. Both of these interpretations are obviously related to the developing Roman Catholic presuppositions about Mary and not to the NT.
4. Mary had further children after Jesus (cf. Matt. 12:26; 13:55; Mark 6:3; John 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Acts 1:14; Gal. 1:19). Sex is not a sin or lesser state!

It does imply that Jesus' half brothers, who were active in the church, were considered leadership. As a matter of fact,

1. One of Jesus' relatives was the leader of the Jerusalem Church for several generations during the first century, starting with James.
2. Two of Jesus' half brothers wrote books of the NT.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CELIBACY AND MARRIAGE

▣ "Cephas" This is the Aramaic form of the Greek Petros. It meant a large boulder or rock (cf. Matt. 8:14; John 1:42). Cephas was married (cf. Mark. 1:30).

Paul calls Peter "Cephas" in 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5 and Gal. 1:18; 2:9. But in Gal. 2:7,8,11,14 he calls him Peter. There seems to be no theological distinction, rather, probably literary variety. He is called Peter everywhere in the Gospels except John 1:42.

It is interesting that the church has made so much of the connection between Peter (i.e., Petros) and "this rock" (i.e., petra) in Matt. 16:18. Jesus spoke Aramaic and there is no distinction at all between the two terms in that language. Modern believers often ask questions that have more to do with their

1. denominational doctrines
2. personal historical setting
3. personal experiences
4. personal biases

than about NT texts. Texts have priority!!

SPECIAL TOPIC: PETER THE MAN

9:6 "Barnabas" Barnabas is also called an apostle, which shows a wider use of the term (cf. Eph. 4:11) than simply the initial Twelve (cf. Acts 14:14, 18:5).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BARNABAS

The rabbis asserted the dignity of manual labor. All rabbis had to have a secular job because it was considered sinful to receive money for teaching YHWH's truths (cf. Pirke Abot 1:13; 4:7). Paul chose not to take advantage of his rights as a preacher of the gospel to receive a living wage (1 Cor. 9:18), possibly because of

1. his Jewish heritage
2. the attacks of those who claimed he manipulated people for money (cf. Acts 20:33; 2 Cor. 11:7-12; 12:14-18)

9:7-14 In these verses there are several examples from everyday life used as analogies to show the appropriateness of gospel workers receiving a living wage from the churches they served (cf. Rom. 15:27):

1. a soldier, v.7
2. a vineyard owner, 1 Cor. 9:7
3. a shepherd, 1 Cor. 9:7
4. the ox, 1 Cor. 9:9
5. a plowman and thresher, 1 Cor. 9:10
6. a sower, 1 Cor. 9:11
7. a priest, 1 Cor. 9:13

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:8-14

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:8-14
 ⁸I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things? ⁹For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." God is not concerned about oxen, is He? ¹⁰Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. ¹¹If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? ¹²If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? ¹⁴So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

The Greek text has "not according to man" (i.e., anthrōpos, which refers to humans). Paul uses these contrasting phrases several times (cf. 1 Cor. 3:3; 9:8; 15:32; Rom. 3:5; Gal. 1:11; 3:15). It was his idiomatic way of contrasting earthly human ways with his new Spirit-led (i.e., Jesus' teaching or Spirit's insight) way of thinking and acting.

The believer is now under the "New Covenant" of Jer. 31:31-34 (described in Ezek. 36:22-36). He/she has a new heart, a new mind, and a new spirit. This changes the "me first" focus of the fall of mankind in Genesis 3 to an "others first" focus.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FALL OF MANKIND

9:9 "it is written in the Law of Moses" Remember, Paul was a trained rabbi. The Jewish way of settling the question was with an authoritative quote, if possibly from the writings of Moses (i.e., Gen. - Deut.); therefore, Paul quotes Deut. 25:4 (cf. 1 Tim. 5:18). Paul uses Moses but is not bound by the old covenant.

SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW

▣ "You shall not muzzle the ox" This is a quote from the Septuagint of Deut. 25:4. The term "muzzle" is phimōsies, which occurs in the Greek manuscripts P⁴⁶, א, A, B³, C, D^b,c, K, L, P, and most later minuscule manuscripts. This is also the term used in Paul's quote of the same text in 1 Tim. 5:18.

However, the UBS⁴ editors preferred the variant kēmōseis, which also means "muzzle," found in MSS B^*, D^*, F, and G. Their reasoning was that the less-used word (possibly a slang term) was probably original because the other one was expected from the Septuagint and the quote in 1 Timothy so why would a scribe have changed it? The term chosen as original makes no interpretive difference, but it does illustrate the textual principles by which modern textual critics evaluate Koine Greek manuscripts in an attempt to recover the original wording of the autograph.

Just a comment aboiut Paul quoting the OT. Sometimes he uses

1. the Masoretic Hebrew text
2. the Koine Greek translation called the Septuagint
3. the Aramaic translation called the Targums

He seemed to use the one that fit his theological point best. Translation variants did not bother him!!!

SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM, II. B.

Verses 9 and 10 show how an OT text was expanded (i.e., to draw out the significance or application) to meet the needs of a new day (cf. Rom. 4:23-24;15:4; 1 Cor. 9:10; 10:6,11). The OT exhibits special care for animals (cf. Exod. 21:33,35; 27:10-13; 23:5,12; Duet. 5:14; 22:4). Jesus alludes to this care of animals (cf. Luke 13:15; 14:5, where He applies the "light and heavy" rabbinical principle). This phrase is not to imply that God does not care about animals, but that He also cares about people, and in this context, gospel workers (cf. 1 Tim. 5:18). This is similar to Matt. 6:26-34. Jesus uses God's provisions in nature as a way of asserting God's provision for humanity made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). This was a typical rabbinical technique known as "lesser to greater" or "light and heavy," which was one of Hillel's principles (cf. Aboth. de Rab. Nathan XXXVII and Tosefta Sanhedrin c. 7). Remember, Gamaliel was Paul's rabbinical teacher (cf. Acts 5:34; 22:3).

SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICS

Several times Paul asserts that the OT was written

1. as an inspired word to Israel
2. as an example for NT believers (cf. Rom. 4:23-24; 15:4; 1 Cor. 9:10; 10:6,11)

Paul's rabbinical training taught him to apply the Law to current situations. Here he is using the rabbinical argument called "light and heavy" or the "lesser to the greater."

In the context of Deut. 25:4 this application would have been unknown and unnecessary. The hermeneutical question is, "Was Paul using the original intent of the inspired writer?" The answer is clearly, no! But is he using a valid application of a principle? Paul is inspired! He sees truth at a level we cannot! However, we are not inspired, but illumined by the Spirit. Modern interpreters cannot reproduce the hermeneutical method of the NT authors. Therefore, it is best to let them speak, but restrict ourselves to the historical-grammatical approach, which seeks the intent of the original author as the determinant meaning, but allowing many applications which are related to the original intent! See my Biblical Interpretation Seminar free online (first red box) on my homepage, www.freebiblecommentary.org

SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: ILLUMINATION

SPECIAL TOPIC: TYPOLOGY

9:11 "If. . .if" These are both FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, which are assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.

The real question is who are the others who claimed the right to have the Corinthian church support them in verse 12? Was it

1. traveling false teachers (Jewish or Greek)
2. those who were part of the local leadership (i.e., house churches of different social and ecumenical levels)

▣ "sowed. . .reap" The OT agricultural terminology of harvest becomes a spiritual principle (cf. Job. 4:8; Prov. 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hag. 1:6; John 4:37; 1 Cor. 9:11; 2 Cor. 9:6,10; for a full list of texts, see Gal. 6:7-9 online).

▣ "material things" This is literally ta sarkika, "the fleshly things," but not in a sinful sense, rather in a physical sense as that which humans need to survive in this world (i.e., water, food, shelter, clothing, etc. cf. Rom. 15:27).

SPECIAL TOPIC: FLESH

9:12 "If" This is another FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCE. Other leaders were exercising the right (i.e., exousia) to be materially compensated.

SPECIAL TOPIC: AUTHORITY (exousia)

▣ "do we not more?" This is an allusion to the fact that Paul started this church. He was their spiritual father (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15). Now they were rejecting his spiritual rights (1 Cor. 9:11,14; Rom. 15:27), but allowing others to demand material compensation.

▣ "but we endure all things" This is a figurative use of the Greek word for "roof," meaning "to cover," "to conceal," or "to endure" (cf. 1 Cor. 13:7).

▣ "hindrance" This was a strong military term. The word was used for breaking up a road to keep an enemy from using it.

▣ "the gospel of Christ" The term "gospel" is literally "good news." It involves several aspects.

1. the initial bad news of mankind's sin and rebellion
2. God's gracious provisions to deal with human sin (i.e., the death of Christ)
3. the open invitation for any or all to accept God's provision by repentance and faith

This good news about Jesus involves three aspects.

1. It is a person to welcome (i.e., Jesus).
2. It is truths about that person to believe (i.e., the NT).
3. It is a life which emulates that person (i.e., the Christlike life).

If any one of these three aspects is depreciated the gospel is damaged!

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH

9:13 "those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple" This refers to OT priests and Levites (cf. Lev. 7:6,8-10,14,28-36; Deut. 18:1). Paul used a term that was used in the Septuagint for priestly work (cf. Num. 3:7; 8:15) as well as work in general (cf. Gen. 2:5,15; 3:23; 4:2,12; 29:27). Paul saw his gospel ministry as priestly service (cf. Rom. 15:16).

9:14 "So also the Lord directed" This must refer to Jesus' words in Matt. 10:10 and Luke 10:7. Paul always tried to allude to Jesus' teachings on a subject when possible.

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:15-18

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:15-18
 ¹⁵But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. ¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. ¹⁷For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. ¹⁸What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

9:15 "But I have used none of these things" This is a PERFECT MIDDLE INDICATIVE. Paul never received compensation from Corinth, probably because there were those in this church who used anything to attack him. He did accept money from Philippi (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15) and Thessalonika (cf. 2 Cor. 11:9), but only later, not while he was in those cities.

▣ "for it would be better for me to die" What a strong statement related to accepting or refusing compensation. There is also a grammatical problem at this point that caused several Greek manuscript variants. Paul is very emotional about this subject. He took money and help from Philippi (cf. Phil. 4:15) and Thessalonika (cf. 2 Cor. 11:9), why not Corinth? Obviously because of this he is being personally attacked by some group, faction, or false teacher.

There is a suspension of Paul's thought in mid-sentence after "than." Notice how the NRSV and the NET Bible put a dash, while NJB puts dots, attempting to show the grammatical break. How this break affects the next phrase is uncertain. It seems he meant to assert that he would not take any money from the Corinthian church, but he leaves it unsaid! This is a highly emotional passage. Paul is hurting, reacting, pleading, not just teaching a point. His life illustrates the principle (i.e., all, everything, every time, with everyone for the gospel, cf. 2 Cor. 4:5-12; 6:3-13; 11:16-33)! He must have dictated this emotional sentence and later, as he read over the manuscript, decided not to change it.

It is so hard to interpret Paul's letter when we do not have

1. the letter the church wrote to him
2. specific knowledge about the local situation

9:16 "if. . .if" These are both THIRD CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, which mean potential action.

▣ "I am under compulsion; woe is me if I do not preach the gospel" Paul felt compelled to preach because of Christ's special call on the road to Damascus (cf. Acts 9:15; Rom. 1:14). He was like Jeremiah of old (cf. Jer. 20:9). He had to share the gospel like Peter and John in Acts 4:20.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH

9:17 "if. . .if" These are both FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES which are assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.

▣ "I have a stewardship entrusted to me" This is a PERFECT PASSIVE INDICATIVE. Gospel workers have both a covenant privilege and an awesome responsibility (i.e., a stewardship, which he will one day give an account of! cf. 1 Cor. 4:1; Gal. 2:7; Eph. 3:2; Col. 1:25). See fuller note on stewardship at 1 Cor. 4:1.

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-23
 ¹⁹For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. ²⁰To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; ²¹to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. ²²To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. ²³I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

9:19 "For though I am free from all men" This is the emphasis on proper Christian freedom (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1; 10:29; Gal. 5:13). Martin Luther has said, "A Christian man is free lord over all things and subject to nobody. A Christian man is a ministering servant in all things, subject to everybody." See notes from Romans 14:1-15:13.

SPECIAL TOPIC: CHRISTIAN FREEDOM vs. CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY

▣ "I have made myself a slave to all" This is the emphasis on proper Christian responsibility (cf. Rom. 14:1-15:13; 2 Cor. 4:5). Because Paul was a slave of Christ, he was a slave of all who Christ came to serve and save, both the believer and the unbeliever.

SPECIAL TOPIC: SERVANT LEADERSHIP

▣ "so that I may win more" This is the term "gain" (i.e., kerdainō). It is used in a variety of senses in the NT. In this context Paul uses the term in an evangelistic sense (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19,20,21,22 and 1 Pet. 3:1). This is the proper evangelistic goal of all of our actions (cf. 1 Cor. 9:22-23; Matt. 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8). Evangelistic intentionality in every area of our lives, not a particular methodology, is the key to a proper balance between Christian freedom and Christian responsibility.

9:20 This verse expresses Paul's intentionality. Paul's main concern was evangelism (cf. 1 Cor. 9:20-23; 10:31-33). Therefore, he circumcised Timothy so as to work with Jews (cf. Acts 16:3), but would not circumcise Titus (cf. Gal. 2:3-5) so as not to compromise the freedom of the gospel among Gentiles.

▣ "though not being myself under the Law" It is interesting that the Textus Receptus (i.e., known as the Western Text), which is known for its expansionistic tendencies, does not include this obviously original phrase. It is found in the Greek manuscripts P⁴⁶, א, A, B, C, D^*, F, G, P and the Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and Armenian translations. We must relate Paul's words here to Jesus' words in Matt. 5:17-20. Paul is not doing away with the Mosaic Law, but seeing its true fulfillment in Christ. The Law is not the means of salvation (cf. Genesis 3), but it is still

1. a true revelation
2. a reflection of God's will for humanity in society
3. It functions in progressive sanctification, but not justification.

SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEWS OF THE MOSAIC LAW

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN

9:21 "but under the law of Christ" This is a NT way of referring to the New Covenant of Jer. 31:31-34. There are several different ways it is entitled by Paul and James.

1. "the law of the Spirit of life," Rom. 8:2
2. "the law of Christ," Gal. 6:2
3. "the perfect law, the law of liberty," James 1:25 and 2:12
4. "the royal law," James 2:8)

9:22 "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak" The meaning of "weak" is uncertain here because it has been used in this context for over-scrupulous or superstitious Christians (cf. 1 Cor. 8:7,10). It possibly relates to superstitious pagans (cf. 1 Cor. 9:21). The Williams' translation even translates it as "the over-scrupulous," which is a good rendering.

SPECIAL TOPIC: WEAKNESS

▣ "I have become all things to all men so that I may by all means save some" Notice the number of "alls" (i.e., forms of pas) in this phrase. Paul's inner self has been transformed from self-centered to gospel-centered. He is free to serve Christ, to serve the gospel, to serve the Kingdom (cf. Rom. 6:11; 7:4). Flexibility, intentionality, and love are crucial aspects of Paul's life and ministry!

Paul's mind was always on evangelism (cf. Rom. 11:14; 1 Cor. 1:21; 7:16; 10:31-33; 1 Tim. 1:15). However, it is sad to say that the last phrase gives a hint that most who heard him did not respond in faith to his message. Why some hear (with spiritual ears) and some do not, is the mystery of election and free will! I prefer to see the theological conundrum

1. as an aspect of human disobedience brought about by the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 (i.e., the mystery of iniquity, cf. 2 Thess. 2:7).
2. not as an aspect of God's sovereignty (i.e., Augustine, Calvin, cf. John 6:44,65; 15:16). I think God choosing some but not all based solely on His choice, damages the merciful character of God (note John 12:32).

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE UNPARDONABLE SIN

SPECIAL TOPIC: SIN UNTO DEATH

SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN

SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE

SPECIAL TOPIC: CALVINISM

9:23 This is a summary verse, a transition verse. It can go with 1 Cor. 9:19-22 or 24-27 or stand alone. This verse is not advocating a salvation by works (i.e., Eph. 2:8-9). Paul is not saved because he evangelizes. He does it because he has accepted the gospel and knows its peace and urgency. See full note at Eph. 2:8.

÷1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27
 ²⁴Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; ²⁷but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

9:25 "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things" Paul is using athletic imagery from the Isthmian games held in Corinth every two years. The emphasis here in on the supreme effort used by competing athletes, not half-hearted attempts (cf. Heb. 12:1-3). Be careful of pushing every detail of illustrations. The Christian does not compete to win salvation, but because he has experienced salvation.

We have won (INDICATIVE) the race in Christ, now run (IMPERATIVE) the race for Christ!

▣ "a perishable wreath" The winners of the Corinthian's athletic contest received wreaths of pine (at Athens an olive wreath; at Delphi a laurel wreath), which soon withered.

Believers receive the crown of

1. rejoicing (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19)
2. righteousness (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8)
3. life (cf. James 1:12; Rev. 2:10)
4. glory (cf. 1 Pet. 5:4)

These are wreaths that never fade. Should believers' commitment and enthusiasm be any less than athletes? They strive for that which cannot last. We strive for that which cannot fade!

SPECIAL TOPIC: CROWNS FOR BELIEVERS

9:26-27 "I run. . .I box. . .beating" This is athletic imagery to illustrate the need for rigid self control and discipline. The Christian life does have some rules and requirements (i.e., Matt. 11:29, where "yoke" is imagery for rules). These relate to rewards, not salvation. Paul must have enjoyed the sporting events of his day, he uses them often as imagery for the Christian life.

SPECIAL TOPIC: DEGREES OF REWARDS AND PUNISHMENT

9:27 "I discipline my body" This term, discipline, literally refers to being hit in the face just below the eyes (i.e., boxing imagery). It is used figuratively in Luke 18:5.

Paul was serious about self-control in the Christian life. The body is not evil, but it is the battleground of temptation. If believers do not control the flesh/body it will control them (cf. Rom. 8:1-11). The victorious Christian life is not an easy one-time victory, but a long-term marathon of self-discipline for the cause of Christ. Self-control is the final virtue of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:23.

The term "body" (sōma) refers to Paul's entire person. It is not one of three aspects of mankind. It often stands for the whole person (cf. 1 Cor. 7:4; 13:3; Rom. 12:2; Phil. 1:20). The Bible presents mankind as a unity (cf. Gen. 2:7), not a dichotomy or trichotomy (cf. George E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, pp. 464-466. See fuller note at 1 Cor. 7:34.

SPECIAL TOPIC: BODY AND SPIRIT

SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH

This term "disqualified" is imagery related to breaking the rules of the athletic games and thereby being unable to win the contest (cf. 1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7). It is from the root "to test" with a view toward approval (i.e., dokimazōi, see SPECIAL TOPIC: GREEK TERMS FOR TESTING AND THEIR CONNOTATIONS), but with the ALPHA PRIVATIVE, which negates it (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5).

This does not refer to Paul's salvation (although it is used in this sense in 2 Tim. 3:8); even though the previous paragraph seems to imply this (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19-23). This would violate too many other doctrinal passages by Paul, especially in Romans and Galatians. He is discussing in this paragraph his fear of being undisciplined and being rejected as a proclaimer of the gospel. The NT records several who were disqualified (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12; 1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:10. see SPECIAL TOPIC: APOSTASY).

The training of young men for Greek games is mentioned in (1) Ars Poetica, 412 and (2) Ad Martyres, 3. It entailed ten months of strenuous physical, dietary, and social restrictions and regimens.

There is another valid way of viewing this text (cf. Hard Sayings of the Bible, by Kaiser, Davids, Bruce and Branch):

"In so writing the author strikes the balance found throughout the New Testament. The New Testament authors write out of an experience of the grace of Christ and a firm conviction that they are on their way to a greater inheritance in heaven. At the same time, they write with a concern that they or their readers could apostatize and thus lose what they already have. So long as people are following Christ, then the New Testament authors never express any hope that without repentance such people will enter heaven. This is a sobering, but not a fear-producing, type of tension seen in Paul (1 Cor 9:27; Gal 5:2, 7-10; Phil 3:12; 2 Tim 4:7, sometimes speaking of the tension in his own life and sometimes speaking of his concern for others), James (James 5:20, the purpose of the letter being to 'save [a sinner, meaning a believer who has turned to the world] from death'), Jude (Jude 23) and John (I Jn 5:16-17 KJV, the emphasis being on praying for people before they commit the 'sin unto death'). The call to the modern reader is to pay attention to the warning and 'to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised' (Heb 6:12) so that the author would say of us as well, 'We are confident of better things in your case-things that accompany salvation'" (p. 683).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. How is chapter 9 related to chapter 8?
2. Is it proper for a preacher to receive support from the church?
   If so, why did Paul not allow this church to support him?
3. How can Paul act differently toward different groups and not be considered a hypocrite?
4. In verses 24-27 the athletic imagery is emphasized. How does this apply to our salvation and Christian lives?

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