Introduction

First Corinthians 9 reveals Paul's example of voluntarily limiting rights. Though entitled to financial support, he forgoes it to remove obstacles to the gospel. His flexibility in approach—becoming all things to all people—models sacrificial ministry.

Apostolic Rights (verses 1-14)

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work? Even if others don't accept Paul's apostleship, surely the Corinthians do—they are the seal of his apostleship. This is Paul's defense to those who sit in judgment on him: Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along, as do the other apostles, the Lord's brothers, and Cephas? Or is it only Paul and Barnabas who must work for a living? Who serves as a soldier at their own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating its grapes? Who tends a flock without drinking the milk? Does the Law not say the same? "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much to reap material harvest? If others have this right, shouldn't we have it even more? The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

• Legitimate Rights: Paul has a right to support
• Scriptural Basis: Both Law and Lord establish this
• Sowing and Reaping: Spiritual labor deserves material support

Rights Renounced (verses 15-18)

But Paul has not used any of these rights. He is not writing this to claim them now. He would rather die than have anyone deprive him of this boast. When he preaches the gospel, he cannot boast, for he is compelled to preach—woe to him if he does not preach the gospel! If he preaches voluntarily, he has a reward; if not voluntarily, he is simply discharging a trust. What then is his reward? That in preaching the gospel he may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of his rights.

• Voluntary Renunciation: Rights foregone for greater purpose
• Compelled to Preach: Paul cannot not preach
• Free Gospel: His reward is offering the gospel without charge

All Things to All People (verses 19-23)

Though free from all, Paul makes himself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews he becomes like a Jew, to win the Jews; to those under the law he becomes like one under the law (though not under the law himself), to win those under the law. To those not having the law he becomes like one not having the law (though not free from God's law but under Christ's law), to win those not having the law. To the weak he becomes weak, to win the weak. He becomes all things to all people so that by all possible means he might save some. He does all this for the sake of the gospel, that he may share in its blessings.

Discipline for the Prize (verses 24-27)

Don't you know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run to get the prize. Everyone who competes goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Paul does not run aimlessly or fight like someone beating the air. He strikes a blow to his body and makes it his slave so that after preaching to others he himself will not be disqualified.

Key Takeaways

• Rights Can Be Waived: Having a right doesn't mean using it
• Flexible Methods: Become all things to all people for the gospel
• Self-Discipline: Athletes train—so should we
• Eternal Prize: Our crown lasts forever

Reflection Questions

• What rights might you need to give up for the gospel's sake?
• How do you adapt your approach to different people while maintaining the same message?
• Are you training with discipline to obtain the eternal prize?