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1 Corinthians 9 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Paul was a man with his priorities straight. He was a man who had given up all his rights for the sake of Jesus. His life’s mission was to preach the Gospel and lead others to Jesus.
Paul made it clear that he was not in it for the money, as some are today. He didn’t parade around the name of Jesus in order to become wealthy and comfortable.
In the same way, the Lord has ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from it. 15 But I haven’t made use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this now in order to claim such rights for myself. I would rather die first! Nobody is going to turn my rightful boast into empty words!
1 Corinthians 9:14-15 GNB
Paul also didn’t preach the Gospel out of selfish ambition. In fact, he was doing just the opposite before Christ called him. In this way, it was clear that his calling was from no one other than the Lord. It was not something he chose, but something God had prepared for him.
If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task.
1 Corinthians 9:17 GNB
Finally, Paul illustrated his sacrifice. He was willing to become all things to all men. This doesn’t mean he sacrificed the Gospel; it means he sacrificed himself. He put his own desires second to the success of winning souls. He was careful not to allow his own behavior to be a stumbling block to others. By doing this, his obedience was more sincere than maintaining the Jewish customs he was raised with because he was following Jesus’ command to preach the Good News!
I am a free man, nobody’s slave; but I make myself everybody’s slave in order to win as many people as possible. 20 While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them; and even though I myself am not subject to the Law of Moses, I live as though I were when working with those who are, in order to win them.
1 Corinthians 9:19-20 GNB
“Paul’s one aim was to gain men. He uses the words repeatedly. To gain one more for his Lord, he would forego comfort, emolument, and well-earned repose. He would allow no competitor for an earthly prize to supersede himself in his sacrifices for this crown of rejoicing. He points to the denials, the hard training, and the severe discipline to which men who took part in the games subjected themselves. No one thought it strange that they should sacrifice so much for the chance of winning; why, then, should he be counted eccentric, who sought the certain reward of gaining new lovers of his Master’s cross?”
F.B. Meyer