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Giving Up What You Deserve
In moving to chapter 9, Paul makes what seems to be a really big jump from what he's just been talking about (idol-food). Blomberg gives us some help here in understanding the connection, also tying things to 2 Corinthians and giving us some historical background helpful in understanding this chapter:
"Paul turns now to a second illustration of the principle that Christian freedom should be tempered by voluntary relinquishing one’s rights. But the illustration is scarcely arbitrary; it reflects one of the primary ways the Corinthians are challenging Paul. They have come to doubt his apostolic authority (vv. 2–3), precisely because he is not charging them for his ministry (cf. 2 Cor. 11:7). Itinerant Greco-Roman philosophers and religious teachers supported themselves in one of four ways: charging fees, staying in well-to-do households, begging, or working at a trade. The last of these was least common but generally acknowledged to give the philosopher the greatest freedom to teach however he liked.
The powerful patrons in the Corinthian church doubtless would have preferred to have Paul accept their money but give them deference and political support in return. When he refused and continued to rely on tentmaking instead (cf. Acts 18:1–4), they charged that his unwillingness to go along with their patronage demonstrated that he did not have the same authority as other itinerant apostles or preachers." [1]
In response to this thinking, Paul offers a response than can be a bit confusing if you don't pay close attention:
1. Gospel workers DO in fact have the right to payment and to have a wife, etc.
2. The OT says the same and is referring here not only to oxen, but men: it is okay and even right to receive support when working for the Lord.
3. Even though this is fine and right to do, Paul doesn't do so. Preaching the Gospel is his only reward. People should not look down on him and think he isn't a "real" apostle just because he doesn't get paid.
4. He gives up his rights to payment and works in order that he can reach those that he might not be able to reach in other ways. It is not a burden, but more like an athlete training and disciplining - only in this case for service to God and others. The LABC therefore challenges us all from this chapter in this way:
"Paul used himself as an illustration of giving up personal rights. Paul asserted his right to hospitality, to be married, and to be paid for his work. But he willingly gave up these rights to win people to Christ. When your focus is on living for Christ, your rights become comparatively unimportant. What rights in your life should you set aside in order to serve and love others?" [2]
It's easy to think we "deserve" something in our lives. You know what? Paul even says, "I DO deserve this". But he doesn't take it in order that he might reach and serve others. What is it that we deserve or think we deserve in our lives that is getting in the way?
Questions? Comments?
Giving Up What You Deserve
In moving to chapter 9, Paul makes what seems to be a really big jump from what he's just been talking about (idol-food). Blomberg gives us some help here in understanding the connection, also tying things to 2 Corinthians and giving us some historical background helpful in understanding this chapter:
"Paul turns now to a second illustration of the principle that Christian freedom should be tempered by voluntary relinquishing one’s rights. But the illustration is scarcely arbitrary; it reflects one of the primary ways the Corinthians are challenging Paul. They have come to doubt his apostolic authority (vv. 2–3), precisely because he is not charging them for his ministry (cf. 2 Cor. 11:7). Itinerant Greco-Roman philosophers and religious teachers supported themselves in one of four ways: charging fees, staying in well-to-do households, begging, or working at a trade. The last of these was least common but generally acknowledged to give the philosopher the greatest freedom to teach however he liked.
The powerful patrons in the Corinthian church doubtless would have preferred to have Paul accept their money but give them deference and political support in return. When he refused and continued to rely on tentmaking instead (cf. Acts 18:1–4), they charged that his unwillingness to go along with their patronage demonstrated that he did not have the same authority as other itinerant apostles or preachers." [1]
In response to this thinking, Paul offers a response than can be a bit confusing if you don't pay close attention:
1. Gospel workers DO in fact have the right to payment and to have a wife, etc.
2. The OT says the same and is referring here not only to oxen, but men: it is okay and even right to receive support when working for the Lord.
3. Even though this is fine and right to do, Paul doesn't do so. Preaching the Gospel is his only reward. People should not look down on him and think he isn't a "real" apostle just because he doesn't get paid.
4. He gives up his rights to payment and works in order that he can reach those that he might not be able to reach in other ways. It is not a burden, but more like an athlete training and disciplining - only in this case for service to God and others. The LABC therefore challenges us all from this chapter in this way:
"Paul used himself as an illustration of giving up personal rights. Paul asserted his right to hospitality, to be married, and to be paid for his work. But he willingly gave up these rights to win people to Christ. When your focus is on living for Christ, your rights become comparatively unimportant. What rights in your life should you set aside in order to serve and love others?" [2]
It's easy to think we "deserve" something in our lives. You know what? Paul even says, "I DO deserve this". But he doesn't take it in order that he might reach and serve others. What is it that we deserve or think we deserve in our lives that is getting in the way?
Questions? Comments?
[1] Craig Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), 173.
[2] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1999), 123.
[2] Bruce B. Barton and Grant R. Osborne, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1999), 123.
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