Paul’s Rights and My Maturity
“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.”—1 Corinthians 9:1–12 (NIV)
As we get into chapter 9, a quick recap: Just before this, Paul broke down the idea of the Corinthians having the right based on knowledge to eat meat sacrificed to idols, and why the use of Christian freedom should never hinder a brother or sister or cause them to stumble. Basically, be willing to give up your rights for the sake of the gospel and the building up of others. And now, building off of that, Paul uses the opportunity to talk about his rights as an apostle, defend his apostleship, which was apparently being questioned by some and part of division in this church, and give the Corinthians an example of surrendering one’s rights for the sake of the gospel.
Why this defense? Because there were some who questioned his apostleship. This, of course, was ridiculous, because he was the one who preached the gospel among them and was with them for 18 months. But there were some now who doubted him, who were team Cephas/Peter, or team Apollos (who wasn’t an apostle, but a protege of Paul).
Now, an interesting paradox was taking place in Corinth. One of the reasons some were questioning Paul’s apostleship was because Paul really didn’t receive support from the churches he ministered to. Instead, he chose to work and support himself. It seems like some were saying, “If Paul were a real apostle, we’d be supporting him.” And here’s the paradox: They refused to support Paul and yet questioned his apostleship because he didn’t receive support. What?!
So, Paul presents the case—using words like defense (apologia) and examine (anakrino), common terms in Roman courts—of his right to be supported by those he ministers to through precedent (the other apostles), metaphor, and God’s Word, ending his defense with, “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?”
But then he throws a curveball: “But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” Do you see this? Paul didn’t care about having his needs met. He makes this clear in Philippians 4. It was all about what their lack of support for him says about them, their walk, their generosity, and their maturity. In Philippians 4, Paul commends that church for their support because of it was a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18 NIV, emphasis added). Here, we see the opposite.
So, what’s our takeaway? It’s two-fold:
- Supporting the ministry you’re part of and filled by isn’t optional, friends. If you’re good at supporting others (secular business, organizations, nonprofits, etc.), shouldn’t the ministry God has placed you under “have it all the more?” We’re to support the workers of the gospel, our church, pastors, and ministries so they can continue to do the work of ministry in the world, our communities, and our families, and so they could have their needs met as well. This is an act of faith, an offering unto the Lord, and a sign of maturity.
- Using Paul’s example, what rights are you willing to sacrifice for the gospel, the kingdom of God, and the discipleship, edification, and building up of others? This is the crux of chapters 8 and 9!