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1
Corinthians Chapter Nine
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Examples of
Giving Up the Liberty of Christians
A.
The liberty that Paul can enjoy ---- the authority of apostle
(v.1-14):
1.
The seal of Paul’s apostleship (v.1-3);
2.
The authority that Paul can enjoy as an apostle (v.4-14);
B.
The reason why Paul gives up his authority (v.15-27):
1.
To present the gospel of Christ without charge (v.15-18);
2.
To gain men (v.19-23);
3.
To obtain the prize (v.24-27);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1Cor.9:1 “Am I not an
apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my
work in the Lord? ”
YLT: “Am not I an apostle? am not I free? Jesus Christ our Lord have I
not seen? my work are not ye in the Lord?”
Meaning
of Words: “apostle”: the one who is sent;
Literal
Meaning: “am I not free?” ---- Do I not enjoy the same liberty with other
Christians?
“Am I not an apostle?”
---- The “apostle” can be divided into two sorts: narrowly speaking, it
referred to the twelve apostles ---- who were chosen by the Lord Jesus directly
(see Luke 6:13) ---- and Matthias who was chosen by lots in place of Judas
(Acts 1:15-26). Broadly speaking, the apostle referred to the worker appointed
by the Spirit and sent by the church (see Acts 13:2; 14:14; Rom. 16:7).
“Have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord?” ---- At that time, those who opposed Paul thought Paul could
be the apostle if only he had seen the Lord Jesus in the flesh. Actually, Paul
had seen the risen Lord Jesus who appeared to him on the way to Damascus (see
Acts 9:3-5; 1Cor. 15:8). Moreover, he also saw the Lord in the castle of the
Romans in Jerusalem (see Acts 23:11).
“Are you not my work in
the Lord?” ---- “You” referred to the church in Corinth, which was built by
Paul Himself, who had dwelt among them for eighteen months (see Acts 18:1-11).
Most of the believers in Corinth at that time were saved by Paul.
The answers to the four
questions are all “yes”. Paul had the liberty of Christian. Paul is the
apostle. Paul had seen the risen Lord Jesus. Paul built the church at Corinth.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
A normal Christian is a free man released by Christ (see Gal. 5:1)
as well as a free man who is not limited by rules or letters.
2)
Today, though the workers of the Lord can not see our Lord with our
physical eyes, they should at least receive the revelation of the Son of God in
spirit (see Gal. 1:16) and know the Lord so that they can preach the Lord to
others.
1Cor.9:2 “If I am not
an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my
apostleship in the Lord. ”
YLT: “if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am;
for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.”
Meaning
of Words: “seal”: ;
Literal
Meaning: “if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you”,
“you” refers to believers in Corinth. Others may not confess Paul, but
believers in Corinth must confess his apostleship.
“For you are the seal of
my apostleship in the Lord.” ---- “Seal” in the original is a mark of
authority. That believers in Corinth had been in Christ was the proof that Paul
was the apostle.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
A Chinese proverb goes like this, “When one drinks water, one must
not forget where it comes from”. If a believer has truly known the Lord by
someone, he has to admit that the one is sent by God to bring him to believe
the Lord.
2)
Many people focus on the “qualifications or conditions” of the
apostleship, but the words of God tell us the “seal or evidence” of the
apostleship. That one has seen the Lord and known the Lord is the seal of his
apostleship, not qualification. And that one does the works well and can gain
men is the seal of his apostleship, not qualification.
3)
What is really important is the reality of the apostleship, not
the reputation of the apostleship. It is not important that whether men confess
the apostleship. What is crucially important is whether the Lord confesses or
not (see 2Tim. 2:12, 19).
1Cor.9:3 “My defense to
those who examine me is this:”
YLT: “My defence to those who examine me in this;”
Meaning
of Words: “examine”: judge, search, ask, question, discern;
Literal
Meaning: “examine”, it refers to judgment with hostility. At that time,
there were divisions in the church at Corinth. And three of the four parts
declared they were not of Paul (see 1Cor. 1:12). Apparently, many believers
doubted Paul’s apostleship and even examined him to Paul’s face.
The word “defense” that Paul uses here
is a judicial word, referring to the official defense. Paul set himself in the
position of defendant and defended himself against those who charged him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
It is unavoidable for workers who have really received the
spiritual ministry to be doubted by those who are of the flesh. Even the worker
---- like Paul who has perfect spiritual enlightenment and power ---- is
examined by others, so it will be no wonder that many believers are unfriendly
to the workers of the Lord. However, if you have really been entrusted with the
Lord, you need not be discouraged or disappointed, but shall try your best to
bring those who oppose you to the Lord.
2)
The whole life of the Lord’s servant is a life that is being tried
throughout the whole life. He shall be examined by God as well as by men. Evil
report and good report both examine men.
1Cor.9:4 “Do we have no
right to eat and drink?”
YLT: “have we not authority to eat and to drink?”
Literal
Meaning: “right” is the same word as “liberty” (1Cor. 8:9), referring to
the right obtained in the Lord. “Eat and drink” relate to one’s life (v.14),
namely, the provision that maintains one’s life.
Those who work for the Lord and preach
the gospel have the right to obtain the provision for their life from those who
have enjoyed the spiritual profit (see v.11).
1Cor.9:5 “Do we have no
right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the
brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?”
YLT: “have we not authority a sister -- a wife -- to lead about, as
also the other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?”
Literal
Meaning: “do we have no right to take along a believing wife”, “take
along”: the husband takes along his wife to go out to preach the words of God,
and the church pays the expense.
“As do also the other
apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” ---- “The brothers of the
Lord” refer to the brothers of the Lord Jesus in the flesh, among whom James
and Jude ---- the authors of the Book of
James and the Book of Jude ----
were comparatively famous (see Mark 6:3). “Cephas” was Simon Peter (see John
1:42), who married early (see Mark 1:30).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The preachers have the right to marry believing sisters, but have
no right to marry the Gentiles, for the preachers should match their words with
deeds and be the examples of believers.
2)
It is quite good if the husband and his wife have one mind and
walk and work together. If the preacher has chosen a right spouse, he has got
twice the result with half the effort, for it will be helpful for his (or her)
work. If one has not chosen a proper spouse, he has just got half the result
with twice the effort, for it will be of no help for his (or her) work.
However, it is still helpful for himself (or herself) to experience the cross
(see Gen. 2:18), for it is jointed by God (Matt. 19:6).
1Cor.9:6 “Or is it only
Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?”
YLT: “or only I and Barnabas, have we not authority -- not to work?”
Literal
Meaning: “Barnabas” was in a rich family, but he sold his land and devoted
the price to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). Later, he was sent by the
church to the church in Antioch to help them (Acts 11:22), and he brought Paul
to serve saints in Antioch together (Acts 11:25-26). Afterwards, both of them
were sent by the Spirit through the church in Antioch to go out to preach the
words of God (Acts 13:2-3). Before the second time of their preachment, there
arose very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another (Acts
15:37-39). Then, the Scriptures do not record things about Barnabas except for
this verse. However, here Paul especially mentioned Barnabas, so we can infer
that they had become reconciled. And Mark who caused the separation between
Barnabas and Paul was used by Paul again (Col. 4:10; 2Tim. 4:11). Possibly,
Paul had mentioned Barnabas when he preached the gospel in Corinth, or perhaps
Barnabas had worked in Corinth there, so believers in Corinth knew him.
Here, the “work” does not refer to the
work of serving the Lord, but the work of keeping one’s livelihood by labor.
Paul was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:3), but we do not know what Barnabas
job was, for it was not written in the Scriptures.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The rights of the Lord’s workers relate to our physical bodies:
eating and drinking (v.4), marriage (v.5) and not working. The Lord cares for
our bodies so that we can serve His body ---- the church.
2)
Today, the church needs both workers who refrain from working in
the world and devote all their time to serve as well as workers who serve when
they are still working in the world. The former is good, and the latter is also
good. Whether one chooses the former one or the latter one depends on the
Lord’s guidance to everyone.
1Cor.9:7 “Who ever goes
to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?
Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? ”
YLT: “who doth serve as a soldier at his own charges at any time? who
doth plant a vineyard, and of its fruit doth not eat? or who doth feed a flock,
and of the milk of the flock doth not eat?”
Literal
Meaning: “who ever goes to war at his own expense?” ---- It is deserved
that the nation takes the responsibility of the livelihood of the soldiers that
the nation recruits.
“Who plants a vineyard and
does not eat of its fruit?” ---- Perhaps it is quoted from the Book of Deuteronomy (20:6) or the Book of Proverbs (27:18). Today, the custom is still kept in
many places ---- those who visit to the orchard can pick the fruit in the
orchard as they wish, but should not take the fruit out of the orchard.
“Or who tends a flock and
does not drink of the milk of the flock?” ---- It is an unalterable principle
that the pastors can drink the milk that they have produced without payment.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Expense, fruit and milk” all refer to the full provision in
Christ. Here, we can see the normal condition of service ---- one can enjoy the
full Christ when serving the Lord. This is the predestination of the loving God
to those who serve Him.
2)
If we only feel the labor instead of enjoyment in service, or if
we have only works instead of the enjoyment of the fullness of Christ, or if we
can only preach the gospel to others instead of the enjoyment of the reality of
Christ’s gospel, this is not the will of God. Such service can not endure long.
3)
The Lord’s workers are warriors of the kingdom of God, who fight
in the spiritual battles. They are husbandmen who cultivate the land of God.
And they are shepherds who shepherd the people of God.
4)
Paul used the examples like going to wars and farming and stock
raising ---- that the people at that time were familiar with ---- so as to give
them deep impression. It also tells us that if the preachers are good at using
widely known examples, there will be of good effects.
1Cor.9:8 “Do I say
these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? ”
YLT: “According to man do I speak these things? or doth not also the
law say these things?”
Literal
Meaning: “do I say these things as a mere man?” ---- It means that one is
deserved to receive the reward (Rom. 4:4).
“Or does not the law say
the same also?” ---- “The law” here refers to the Scriptures. The whole verse
means that the Scriptures have also given us clear teachings.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Christians shall not only use the knowledge that men have commonly
known but also quote the words in the Scriptures. Though the human knowledge is
good, it is not better than the words of God.
2)
“Man’s will” tends to be different from “the will of God”. Then,
we have to say, “not as I will, but as your will” (Matt. 26:39).
1Cor.9:9 “For it is
written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads
out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about? ”
YLT: “for in the law of Moses it hath been written, `thou shalt not
muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care?”
The
Background: in the ancient times, men often used oxen to tread out the grain
so as to thresh the grain from the chaff. Then men raised the grain and chaff
together before the wind, so the lighter chaff would float further and the
weightier grain would fall down nearer so that the grain could be separated
from the chaff.
Literal
Meaning: “for it is written in the law of Moses”, the following scriptures
are quoted from the Book of Deuteronomy
(25:4).
“You shall not muzzle an
ox while it treads out the grain.” ---- It means that when the ox works, it can
eat any grain around it.
“Is it oxen God is
concerned about?” ---- It indicates that the law is not only set for the ox,
but also for men actually (see v.10).
Enlightenment
in the Word: the workers of the Lord are “oxen” that tread out the grain. We
should work hard and faithfully like the ox, but should not be “bull headed”.
1Cor.9:10 “Or does He
say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that
he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be
partaker of his hope. ”
YLT: “or because of us by all means doth He say ? yes, because of us it
was written, because in hope ought the plower to plow, and he who is treading
of his hope to partake in hope.”
Literal
Meaning: “or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written”, it indicates that the commandment in verse nine
actually cares for “man”.
“That he who plows should
plow in hope”, it suggests that all the farmers who plow go to plow in hope.
“And he who threshes in
hope should be partaker of his hope”, all those who thresh go to thresh in hope
of receiving grain.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Since God is concerned about the ox (v.9), He will be more
concerned about the workers who work diligently as oxen for the gospel.
2)
The will of God is that we should have enjoyment in our works. If
one has only payment but no fruit in the Lord’s works, or has only labor but no
enjoyment, the man or the works may have some problem.
1Cor.9:11 “If we have
sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material
things?”
YLT: “If we to you the spiritual things did sow -- great if we your
fleshly things do reap?”
Literal
Meaning: “if we have sown spiritual things for you”, the preachment of the
gospel is sowing spiritual seeds for the purpose of producing spiritual life
(see Matt. 13:18-23; 1Cor. 3:6-8).
“Is it a great thing if we
reap your material things?” ---- “Is it a great thing”, it means that it is
reasonable.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Let him that is taught in the word communicate to him that teaches
in all good things (Gal. 6:6).
2)
What believers communicates to the workers of the Lord will not be
more than what the workers communicate to believers, for one is spiritual and
the other is material; and one is a great thing and the other is a small thing;
and one is of life and the other is in the flesh.
1Cor.9:12 “If others are
partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have
not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
”
YLT: “if others do partake of the authority over you -- not we more?
but we did not use this authority, but all things we bear, that we may give no
hindrance to the good news of the Christ.”
Meaning
of Words: “endure”: roof over, cover with silence, bear; “hinder”:
obstacle, cut off the way;
Literal
Meaning: “if others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even
more?” ---- “Others” suggest that there were men who had been provided by the
church at Corinth.
“Nevertheless we have not
used this right”, “this right” relates to the right of enjoying the provision
of money and substance from the church.
“But endure all things”,
“all things” refer to the works of preachment and livelihood and all the
sufferings because of them. “Endure”: endure physical and spiritual sufferings.
“Lest we hinder the gospel
of Christ”, Paul cleared all the hindrances of the gospel of Christ and was
willing to give up all his rights of enjoyment.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
Though we Christians have
some rights of believers, when applying these rights, we shall still restricted
by a higher law, namely, the law of love. The law of love by no means focuses
on one’s self. Love makes man give up his right for the sake of others.
Believers should most
gladly spend and be utterly spent for man’s soul (2Cor. 12:15). The workers of
the Lord give up their rights lest they hinder the gospel of Christ. This is a
kind of most gladly spending and being utterly spent.
1Cor.9:13 “Do you not
know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple,
and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?”
YLT: “Have ye not known that those working about the things of the
temple -- of the temple do eat, and those waiting at the altar -- with the
altar are partakers?”
Literal
Meaning: “do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of
the things of the temple”, this is the taking care of priests and the Levites
in the Law of Moses (see Lev. 6:16, 26; 7:31-36; Num. 18:8, 31; Deut. 18:1-3).
“Holy things” refer to the hollowed things and things belonging to the temple.
“Minister” means labor. “The things of the temple” refer to the showbread and
the offerings.
“And those who serve at
the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?” ---- “Serve”: attend as a
servant; “serve…the altar”, it includes slaughtering the bullock or sheep,
cutting them up into pieces, lighting the fire, pouring out the ashes and etc.
“The offerings of the altar” refer to the sacrifices.
1Cor.9:14 “Even so the
Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the
gospel.”
YLT: “so also did the Lord direct to those proclaiming the good news: of
the good news to live.”
Literal
Meaning: “even so the Lord has commanded”, the following words may be
quoted from the Book of Matthew according to its meaning (10:10).
“That those who preach the
gospel should live from the gospel”, its meaning is the same as the words of
the Lord: “for the workman is worthy of his nourishment”.
1Cor.9:15 “But I have
used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be
done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make
my boasting void. ”
YLT: “And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these
things that it may be so done in my case, for good for me rather to die, than
that any one may make my glorying void;”
The
Background: Paul had received the provision of his life in other churches (see
Phil. 4:15-16). Only in Corinth, he earned a living by making tents (see Acts.
18:3) and did not receive anything of the church at Corinth at all. He even
said here it would be better for him to die than that anyone should make his
boasting void. From the two epistles that Paul wrote to the Corinthians, we can
see that it is because believers in Corinth were not only carnal but also
unfriendly and examined and opposed him in many ways (see 1Cor. 2:3; 4:3, 18;
9:3; 11:16; 14:37-38; 16:17; 1Cor. 1:17, 23; 6:12; 10:2, 6-7; 11:4-9, 16-20;
12:11, 13-16; 13:2-3, 10).
Literal
Meaning: “but I have used none of these things”, it means that Paul has
never received the provision of the church at Corinth.
“Nor have I written these
things that it should be done so to me”, Paul spoke it out at this time for the
purpose of teaching them to learn his example of giving up the rights for
others, not gain sympathy from them.
“For it would be better
for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void”, “my boasting”,
someone explained that he had not lived from the gospel, lest others should say
he was hired to preach the gospel. If such explanation was right, Paul would
have to keep the same attitude towards other churches. But the fact was not
thus (see the background). Therefore, the best explanation was that his
boasting was his example that he matched his words with deeds (see Matt. 23:3).
He taught other to walk according to love instead of knowledge (see 1Cor. 8:1),
lest he make the weak brothers stumble on account of the liberty of Christians
(see 1Cor. 8:9-13). Most of the believers that Paul met in Corinth were of the
flesh, so Paul gave up his right so as not to offend them.
What Paul boasted of was
his example that he gave up his right for the sake of the weak brothers. He
said it would be better for him to die than that believers should defame his
testimony so as to humiliate the name of the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The Lord did not come to be served, but serve. He serves without
seeking man’s reward. This is the loftiest testimony of service for priests and
preachers.
2)
The faithful servant of the Lord is willing to pay the cost of
life to keep the testimony of Christ.
1Cor.9:16 “For if I
preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me;
yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!”
YLT: “for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for
necessity is laid upon me, and wo is to me if I may not proclaim good news;”
Literal
Meaning: “for if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for
necessity is laid upon me”, “necessity is laid upon me”: I am pressed by the
necessity.
Believers are entrusted by the Lord to
preach the gospel (see v.17), so they have to preach. Since it is not of their
own will, they have no boasting.
“Yes, woe is me if I do
not preach the gospel”, if he did not preach the gospel, he would disobey the
commandment of God and be unfaithful to his duty and would thus be disciplined
by God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
All those who are seized by the Lord have none other thing to do
but preaching the words of God, for it is started by the Lord. There is no
alternative for men themselves.
2)
Those who have right knowledge of the preachment of the gospel have
nothing to boast about, for the preachment of the gospel is their duty.
1Cor.9:17 “For if I do
this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted
with a stewardship.”
YLT: “for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly --
with a stewardship I have been entrusted!”
Literal
Meaning: “for if I do this willingly, I have a reward”, “do this” refers to
the preachment of the gospel. If one is faithful to the preachment of the
gospel entrusted by God, he will have a reward from God.
“But if against my will, I
have been entrusted with a stewardship”, “stewardship” refers to the ministry
of steward. When Paul met the Lord, he was entrusted by the Lord to receive the
responsibility of stewardship concerning the preachment of the gospel (see Acts
9:15; 26:16-18).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
When Paul preaches the gospel, he does not pay particular
attention to whether he is in good mood, whether it is smooth in environment,
whether it is in season or out of season, whether he has the burden or not, he
has to do it, for the Lord has already entrusted him the mission.
2)
Our preachment of the gospel is not on account of the
encouragement of others, but the duty entrusted by God to us. Therefore, if we
do it willingly, we shall have rewards. If we do not preach the gospel, we have
disobeyed the commandment of God, and woe will be us (v.16).
3)
The way of a preacher is chosen by himself. Since he has made the
choice, he should be willing to fulfill the ministry. Since one has already
walked in the way of preaching the gospel and has taken the responsibility of
preaching the gospel, if he is unwilling, woe will be to him. No one having
laid his hand on plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke
9:62).
4)
If one who has already been entrusted to preach the gospel is
unwilling to do it, he has owned others and destroyed himself, and woe will
indeed be to him. Therefore, one who has chosen such a way, he should firstly
learn to have willingness and be fully confident that it is predestinated and
glorious. If he preaches the gospel joyfully with such readiness, he will
surely be rewarded. No man can understand the joy that labors for the Lord.
5)
One who has really been entrusted by God to preach the gospel
shall have the same heart like the prophet Jeremiah “and I said, I will not
make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: but it was in my heart as
a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I became wearied with holding in, and I
could not.” (Jer. 20.9).
1Cor.9:18 “What is my
reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. ”
YLT: “What, then, is my reward? -- that proclaiming good news, without
charge I shall make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in
the good news;”
Literal
Meaning: “then”: “therefore”;
“What is my reward? That
when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge”,
it suggests that the cost for the sake of the gospel shall become his reward.
The more one par, the more will he be rewarded.
“That I may not abuse my
authority in the gospel”, in Paul’s account book of the gospel, every time he
uses the right of the gospel, the remaining sum will be reduced. However, every
time he presents the gospel of Christ to others without charge, his reward will
be increased. Therefore, he can not use up what is in his account book.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The gospel is God’s grace and is given to men freely. Man can
receive the gospel without any cost. Though those who have received the grace
are supposed to devote material things to the deliverer of grace (see v.11),
the apostle Paul would rather give up this right in order to clearly declare
that the full grace of God in Christ does not need man’s cost and is far beyond
the exchange of man’s cost.
2)
Those who most gladly spend and be utterly spent for the gospel
just lay up their treasures in heaven. The deposit in his heavenly account
shall not only not be used up but also be gradually increased.
1Cor.9:19 “For though I
am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the
more;”
YLT: “for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant,
that the more I might gain;”
Literal
Meaning: “for though I am free from all men”, he himself is his master, and
he is not ruled by anyone.
“I have made myself a
servant to all”, but he is willing to give up his freedom to be a bondman to
serve all.
“That I might win the
more”, the purpose of his giving up liberty and being a bondman to all is to
win more men. “Win” in the original is “earn”. The preachment of the gospel is
earning more souls for God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The Lord Jesus said to the fisherman Peter, “I will make you
become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). Today, He will say to us, “I will make you
become earners of men”.
2)
Christians are not “earners of money”, but “earners of men”.
1Cor.9:20 “and to the
Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law,
as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;”
YLT: “and I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to
those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain;”
Literal
Meaning: “to those who are under the law, as under the law”, “law” refers
to the Law of Moses. “Under the law”, it refers to those who uphold the law
(Rom. 2:17-20). “As under the law”, Paul was a Pharisees and zealous for the
law (see Phil. 3:5-6). And since Christ is the end of the law (Rom. 10:4),
believers who are jointed to Him are no longer under the law, but under grace
(Rom. 6:14).
“That I might win those
who are under the law”, it means that Paul is willing to keep the law of the
Jews (see Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:20-26) for the sake of the Jews.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
As long as it does not go against the truth of the salvation, the
preachers of the gospel have to consider the conditions of men and bend to them
so as to make them receive the gospel easily.
2)
Accommodating ourselves to others is neither sailing with the
mind, nor associating with evil tides, nor being assimilated into the world,
but “being prudent as the serpents and guileless as the doves” (Matt. 10:16) as
well as “being wise to that which is good and simple to evil” (Rom. 16:19).
1Cor.9:21 “to those who
are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under
law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; ”
YLT: “to those without law, as without law -- (not being without law to
God, but within law to Christ) -- that I might gain those without law;”
Literal
Meaning: “to those who are without law, as without law…that I might win
those who are without law”, “those who are without law” refer to the Gentiles
who have not been taught according to the Law of Moses; “as without law”, it
does not mean he has destroyed the circumcision and will no longer keep the
position of a Jew (see 1Cor. 7:18, 20), but that he has identified himself with
the Gentiles (see Gal. 2:11-14) among them as long as it does not go against
the truth of salvation.
Paul is as without law in order to gain
those who are without law. There are examples as below: 1) He was like a
Galatian among the Galatians (Gal. 4:12); 2) in the city of Athens, he spoke
from the unknown God of them (Acts 17:22-31); 3) to the Corinthians, Paul
applied things that they were familiar with ---- the building (1Cor. 3:10-15),
sports (see v.24-27) and the verses of Greek poets (1Cor. 15:33 “evil
communications corrupt good manners”) and etc.
“Not being without law
toward God”, Paul does everything as to the Lord, and not to men (Col. 3:23),
so he must in no wise walk without law.
“But under law toward
Christ)”, though Paul is apparently not restricted by any law in his walking,
he actually has his position and truth and standard, namely, “the law of
Christ”. That is to say, he is ruled by Christ and focuses on His will only.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Christ has released us so that we can partake of the liberty of
Christian in Him. However, it does not mean our liberty has no limitation, and
the limitation is being governed by Christ ---- from then on, Christ controls
our whole life. Many times, we cannot even do the most lawful thing that others
can do.
2)
Those who let Christ have the first place in all things (Col.
1:18) seem to have no law, but there is actually an irresistible power in them
to govern them and promote them.
1Cor.9:22 “to the weak I
became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some. ”
YLT: “I became to the infirm as infirm, that the infirm I might gain;
to all men I have become all things, that by all means I may save some.”
Literal
Meaning: “to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak”, “the
weak” refers to those who are weak in faith and conscience (see Rom. 14:1-2;
1Cor. 8:7).
“I have become all things
to all men”, “become all things”, it means that Paul adjusts his manner of life
and walking to adapt to different men to whom he preaches the gospel.
“That I might by all means
save some”, the primary purpose is saving men.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We shall accommodate ourselves to others in our walking in order
to supply the salvation of Christ. It is supposed to be the principle of our
walking in life.
2)
Since the workers of the Lord live for serving others, they should
focus on others in everything and consider others and sacrifice themselves.
1Cor.9:23 “Now this I do
for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”
YLT: “And this I do because of the good news, that a fellow-partaker of
it I may become;”
Literal
Meaning: “now this I do for the gospel's sake”, “for the gospel's sake”,
for the enlargement of the preachment of the gospel.
“That I may be partaker of
it with you”, that Paul shall be the partaker of the gospel, namely, to enjoy
the gospel with others together.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Concerning the preachment of the gospel, we shall not only preach
to others but also give help and convenience to others as much as we can when
getting alone with them for the gospel’s sake. Thus, men shall be easily
partakers of the gospel with us.
2)
The workers of the Lord shall have the attitude of “being
partakers of the gospel with men”: a) the preachment of the gospel is for the
purpose of being partakers of the gospel with others; b) to impart spiritual
gifts and have mutual comfort by the faith of one another (Rom. 1:12); c) now
we live if you stand firm in the Lord (1Thess. 3:8).
1Cor.9:24 “Do you not
know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in
such a way that you may obtain it. ”
YLT: “have ye not known that those running in a race -- all indeed run,
but one doth receive the prize? so run ye, that ye may obtain;”
The
Background: in the ancient times, the Isthmus Sports Meeting was held in the
city of Corinth every two years, which ranked second only to the Olympic Games.
Men who took part in the competition had to be free men. And they would be
counted as qualified after the preliminary contest. The one who won the race in
the final would be rewarded by the crown woven by branches.
Literal
Meaning: “do you not know that those who run in a race all run”, here Paul
compares the preachment of the gospel with the race. Every believer should take
part in the preachment of the gospel.
“But one receives the
prize?” ---- “One”, it does not mean there will be “only one” believer who will
be able to obtain the reward of the Lord, but that there will be “” that will
be rewarded by the Lord.
“Run in such a way that you
may obtain it.” ---- “Run in such a way”, it shows the spirit of race ---- run
diligently (see Heb. 12:1) and preach the gospel laboriously.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The glorious prize that God will give attracts the apostle Paul so
much that He is willing to run so laboriously and diligently. The prize is none
other but the full Christ ---- the prize of the high calling of God. Therefore,
this prize has become the certain (v.26) mark that he seeks throughout his life
as well as the glorious crown (v.25) in the end.
2)
“Run in such a way”, it means that one shall run in the hope of
triumph and obtaining the prize so that he can obtain the prize. If one has no
hope of victory, how can he be victorious?
3)
If a runner wants to win, he should devote every effort to the
race. Likewise, believers should also run diligently in the way of service and
life.
4)
All those who desire to win the prize have to sweep up all things
that hinder or encumber them in the race. We Christians possess the excellency
of the knowledge of Christ. He is the prize that we seek. We have suffered the
loss of all, and count them to be filth, that we may gain Christ (Phil. 3:8).
1Cor.9:25 “And everyone
who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain
a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ”
YLT: “and every one who is striving, is in all things temperate; these,
indeed, then, that a corruptible crown they may receive, but we an
incorruptible;”
Literal
Meaning: “and everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all
things”, it means that all those who take part in the race have to be temperate
in their normal exercises and daily life, e.g. eating, sleeping and etc. Thus,
they may keep them in a good physical condition so that they can arrive at the
peak state in the race.
“Now they do it to obtain a perishable
crown”, any achievement in the world will perish and pass away.
“But we for an
imperishable crown”, spiritual achievement brings about spiritual prize, which
is imperishable as well as a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(2Cor. 4:17).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The race on the earth (v.24) is merely to obtain a perishable
crown. Today, we seek the Lord to obtain the imperishable crown in the heaven.
Therefore, we should run diligently and seek hard in the spiritual way.
2)
The runners have to be temperate in all things and take much
exercise to obtain even the perishable crown on the earth. Since we believers
have the eternal prize lying before us, we should control ourselves more and
clear away anything that may hinder us from running ahead to obtain the prize.
1Cor.9:26 “Therefore I
run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ”
YLT: “I, therefore, thus run, not as uncertainly, thus I fight, as not
beating air;”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty”, “with uncertainty”,
it means run about aimlessly.
“Thus I fight: not as one
who beats the air”, “beats the air”, have not hit the mark.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We Christians should focus on the mark when doing everything so
that we shall not labor in vain.
2)
The deceitful Satan often uses many substitutes that seem good to
distract our attention so that we may lose the direction and mark. Believers
should beware when running on the heavenly way.
1Cor.9:27 “But I
discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to
others, I myself should become disqualified.”
YLT: “but I chastise my body, and bring into servitude, lest by any
means, having preached to others -- I myself may become disapproved.”
Literal
Meaning: “but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection”,
“discipline my body”, it means in the original beating one’s face black. It is
not harsh treatment of the body (see Col. 2:23), but putting to death the
members which upon the earth (Col. 3:5) for the purpose of letting the body
work for the Lord’s works.
“Lest, when I have
preached to others, I myself should become disqualified”, “preach”: declare,
announce. It is just like that an ambassador of a nation declares the
qualification of a citizen, but he himself is unexpectedly disqualified and
will be deposed and be driven out of the nation. It is also like the referee
declares the rules of the race, but he himself has even disobeyed the rules and
been expelled. “Disqualified”, here it means that one is washed out and cannot
obtain the prize.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
One regards others as the rivals in the boxing on the earth.
However, the spiritual boxing takes the old man as the mark. One should firstly
defeat himself and discipline his own body.
2)
No matter what words the Lord’s workers preach, they should not
forget to take part into the practice personally. He who preaches the words of
the cross should firstly walk in the way of the cross himself. He who preaches
the Jesus is the Lord should personally let Jesus reign in everything.
3)
If a preacher encourages others to “run” in the heavenly way, but
he himself does not “run” and lives without any temperance, he is
“disqualified” and will not be approved by the Lord. This is the crisis of the
preachers as well as those who hear the Lord’s words.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Examples of the Free One
A.
He is the apostle, but he is unwilling to use the right of the
apostle for the gospel’s sake (v.1-18).
B.
He is free, but he becomes the bondman of all for the sake of the
profit of others (v.19-27).
The Identities and Rights of the Worker of the Lord
A.
Who is a preacher ---- who has the right eat and drink and live
from the gospel (v.4, 14);
B.
Who is an apostle ---- who has the right to take along a believing
wife (v.5);
C.
Who is the worker of the Lord ---- who has the right to refrain
from working in the world (v.6);
D.
Who is warrior of the kingdom of God ---- who does not go to war
at his own expense (v
E.
Who is a husbandman that plants a vineyard and plows and threshes
---- who can eat of the fruit in the yard and receive the grain (v.7b, 10);
F.
Who is a shepherd ---- who can drink of the milk of the flock (v
G.
Who is an ox that treads out the grain ---- who can eat the grain
(v.9);
H.
Who is a priest that ministers the holy things and serves at the
altar ---- who can eat of the things of the temple and partake of the offerings
of the altar (v.13);
The Reasons Why the Preachers Can Receive the Provision of the
Church for Their Livelihood
A.
Because of the three precedents of the ministers in the early
church (v.4-6):
1.
They had the right to eat and drink from the gospel (v.4);
2.
They had the right to take along a believing wife (v.5)
3.
They had the right to refrain from working (v.6)
B.
Because of the three phenomena in the natural world (v.7):
1.
He who goes to war is not at his own expense;
2.
He who plants a vineyard eats of its fruit;
3.
He who tends a flock drinks of the milk of the flock;
C.
Because of the three teachings in the Scriptures:
1.
You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain (v.9).
2.
Those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the
temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar
(v.13).
3.
The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should
live from the gospel (v.14).
The Sense of Responsibility that a Preachers Should Have
A.
Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel (v.16)!
B.
I have been entrusted with a stewardship (v.17).
C.
That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ
without charge (v.18).
D.
I might by all means save some (v.22).
E.
Now this I do for the gospel's sake (v.23).
The Reason Why Paul Gave up the Right of the Gospel
A.
He is unwilling to go against the principle of God’s grace ---- I
may present the gospel of Christ without charge (v.18);
B.
He is restricted by Christ ---- not being without law toward God,
but under law toward Christ (v.21).
C.
He is attracted by the prize ---- but we for an imperishable crown
(v.25).
The Attitudes of Paul Towards the Preachment of the Gospel and the
Lord’s Works
A.
To present the gospel of Christ without charge (v.18);
B.
To make myself a servant to all
C.
To draw near everything according to their background (v.20-22);
D.
To do for the gospel's sake (v.23);
E.
To run diligently in the spirit of running a race (v.24);
F.
To be temperate in all things (v.25);
G.
To seize the goal (v.26);
H.
To discipline my body and bring it into subjection (v.27);
The Ways of Winning More Men
A.
Adjust the way of one’s service (v.19-23);
B.
Develop one’s potential in order to preach the gospel and win men
(v.24-27);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou