Chapter 9
The Rights and Authority of an Apostle
9:1 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.
Paul introduces this section regarding the authority to teach with several questions. He asks whether he is free, a somewhat ‘blurry’ question as he was often incarcerated (but it at this time he was not, he was in Ephesus). The freedom Paul is referring to is freedom from God’s law (a very difficult-to-accept concept for most Jews) and freedom from the burdens of sin. He next asks if he is an apostle. The Greek word that is translated as ‘apostle’ is ‘apostolos’, which refers to someone being sent to deliver a message (like a king sending a messenger out to a battle front carrying orders from the king). In the Bible the term is almost used exclusively to refer to someone being sent by Jesus. Even though Paul was not an apostle during Jesus’ earthly ministry he did have an encounter with Jesus (which is his third question) and was subsequently sent out to preach the gospel message (see Acts 9:1-30). And as a result of his preaching the people of Corinth came to believe in Jesus (the fourth question). He notes that even if others don’t accept him as one having authority as an apostle, that at least they did and believe he is telling the truth.
9:3 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?
Apparently Paul’s status as an apostle was being questioned, as well as questioning his way of doing things, perhaps questioning each apostle’s methods of operating. Questions like should they provide their own food or whether bringing a wife along is appropriate for an apostle when traveling (apparently some of the apostles did including Cephas, Peter’s Aramaic name, and Jesus’ half-brothers, probably James and Jude). Paul then sarcastically asks if he and Barnabas were the only preachers that had no right to refrain from working for a living when teaching and preaching. Pauls proceeds to answer using three rhetorical questions: Who serves in an army at their own expense? Who plants a vineyard without enjoying the fruit? Who tends a flock without getting a portion of the milk?
9:8 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.
Then in response to whether his teaching is based on his ‘human’ perspective, Paul tells them that God’s law reflects the same teaching. He quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 regarding not muzzling an ox while it is working. He asks if God was also speaking to us and he acknowledges that it was written for their sake since the plowman and the thresher both had hope in sharing the crop. Paul then summarizes by asking if they had ‘sown’ spiritual things among them would it be too much to ask for material things from them as well? If others have requested the same, Paul asks wouldn’t that apply more to them than the others? Paul notes that he is not demanding or even proclaiming it as a right, as they would rather endure hardship than block the progress of the gospel message.
9:13 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.
Paul further points out that those who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple and those that serve at the altar (sacrifices were administered by the priests at the bronze altar) shared in the sacrificial offerings. He then proclaims that Jesus commanded those that those who preach the gospel message should be able to live (be provided for) by those being taught the gospel (see Matthew 10:10).
9:15 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.
Paul tells them that he did not utilize these benefits to expect or otherwise demand being compensated in any way nor was he bringing the subject up in the hopes that he will be provided for. He said he would rather die than lose the ability to boast in God’s provision. He then clarifies that he is not talking about boasting about his preaching, the gospel message does all the work there. The task of preaching was a job given to him by God. If he preached out of his own initiative he would deserve compensation, but instead he has no choice, as he has been given the responsibility to preach. He asks what then is his pay and answers it is the opportunity to preach the gospel message without charging anyone, that is why he doesn’t demand payment.
9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Paul understood that even though the message of salvation, being God’s Word, had the power to influence people’s thoughts, to change some of the most stubborn minds. But there are often mental barriers that are ‘constructed’ in people’s minds (everyone has a unique worldview) that prevent them from even listening to a new idea. Some of these barriers get built from perception of the world while others are from presuppositions claimed to be true from past instruction. Paul knew that to the Jew their interpretation and compliance of God’s law was imperative, so he became one also compliant to the law. To those that were not concerned regarding the law he became as one also not compliant. Paul adds parenthetically that he would never violate Christ’s law (see below, see also Galatians 6:2). To the weak, those that are physically challenged or spiritually weak, he would share in their weakness. He did these things so that he might ‘win’ them over and accept Jesus as their Savior. This tactic should not be considered deceptive as Paul was not lying to them but was willing to relate to them. We can’t allow pride to prevent us from presenting the gospel message! Paul notes that he has become all things to all people so that some might be saved. He desired that the gospel be taught to all people with the goal of being able to share in the blessings with them.
9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
In these four verses Paul uses two athletic examples to encourage his readers to not just be a believer in Jesus but to make Him a priority in their life. He notes that runners run to win the prize, so run to win that prize! He further notes that athletes exercise self-control but only for a wreath that withers away, but we win something that lasts for an eternity. So, with that understanding he doesn’t run to be running, nor does he ‘box’ beating the air, he has disciplined his body to do whatever needs to be done, otherwise in his preaching to others he might be without influence or considered a phony.
Considerations
Where God Guides He Provides
Paul understood that if God guided him to some location to preach to some individual or group of people that God would also provide for him. If God has a ministry for you or an audience waiting to hear the gospel message, then you can know the provisions necessary will follow. Pray for the guidance and the blessings. Your role? Just be willing to go for Him!
God’s law is traditionally accepted as being the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, which include what we call the “Ten Commandments.” In the last chapter of the gospel according to Matthew we find what is often referred to as the “Great Commission,” an edict to all Christian believers which reads, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NLT, emphasis added) Note that all authority has been given to Him and we are to observe all that He has taught us. We need to remember that the Old Testament law has never been rescinded and will never be revoked. But due to God’s love for us, Jesus fulfilled the law and offers us salvation through Him. Even though compliance to the law given to Moses is no longer required, we love Jesus and want to serve Him, so we listen and obey Him.