February 27, 2014
CAUSE NO HINDRANCE TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Lindsay Hall
Central Truth
Paul was willing to give up his rights as an apostle to further the message of the gospel and his validity as a messenger of it.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 9:12
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 9:12b)
1 Corinthians 9:1-18
Paul Surrenders His Rights
1 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, 1 9:5 Greek a sister as 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.
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
The beginning of this passage is written in response to objections from some in Corinth to Paul's apostleship and whether he is a "true" apostle. He addresses several areas of concern, but I love how he puts an end to the discussion by simply proclaiming to the Corinthians that their knowledge and belief in Christ is the "seal" (proof) of his apostleship. It is the Lord who does the saving, but it was Paul who brought the message of salvation to the Corinthians.
Paul then goes on to refer to all of his rights as an apostle. As listed throughout 1 Corinthians 9, he is entitled to a lot of things (including compensation), but, for Paul, it all boils down to forsaking these entitlements in effort to avoid hindering the message of the gospel. Paul preferred the work of an apostle and proclaiming the gospel over all other manners of work. He showed this by denying himself and foregoing comforts that he might otherwise enjoy.
Paul, like pastors today, had a right to compensation for the work that he was doing. But for him to enforce his right in his circumstance would have been a hindrance to the gospel. So, he opted not to fight it. Paul's heart reflected that it didn't matter whether he was paid; what mattered was delivering the gospel. Would it be more effective if he received support? Then bring it. Would the message be better heard if he supported himself? Then he would do that.
I want a heart like Paul's. More often than not, I'm selfish. I often willingly choose to exercise my "rights" and, admittedly, sometimes without even a second thought about whether doing so would hinder the gospel. While I might not ever be confronted with the same decision Paul faced -- to accept or forego support for the good of the gospel -- I still believe we all have a crucial question that compels a response: What rights are you (am I) willing to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus?
Discussion Questions
1. What rights are you willing to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus?
2. What does the claim "we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ" (verse 12) reveal about Paul's heart and intentions? What were some things he endured for the sake of the gospel?
3. What adversity, setbacks, slander, etc., have you put up with so that the gospel may be delivered without hindrance?