A Crown - 1 Corinthians 9:2-27

There were several aspects that Paul was criticized for, one of which was “that he traveled at times with a sister missionary in his group.” We have to remember that anciently, women didn’t enjoy an autonomous identity, meaning that they weren’t usually considered an authority on anything. We also can remember that there were several reasons that women were considered “unclean” as well, so going through different cultures with their varying views of women’s place in society would have drawn criticism from much of the ancient world. 

In addition to traveling with sister missionaries, Paul points out that many apostles and missionaries, including “the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas” traveled to preach the gospel with their wives. In this instance, the “brethren of the Lord” is a reference to Jesus’ half-brothers who were raised with him in the household of Mary and Joseph. Don’t get me wrong, I think that there are certain boundaries that are appropriate in these types of situations, such as separate living and sleeping arrangements, when the focus becomes the boundaries, “no traveling together” then it really undermines the concept of agency and personal responsibility.

It seems that another criticism that Paul encountered was that he was taking advantage of the saints financially. He asks, “who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?” This might be Paul’s way of saying, “I expend all my energy and time preaching the gospel, is it unfair that I survive on fruits of such service?” That might not be the best way to put it, but I think it’s one of those things where we have to look at the lifestyle someone is living being supported by those funds. 

Next Paul makes a reference to Deuteronomy 25:4 which says, “thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.” This seems like a totally out there reference, but the article at gospeldoctrine.com explains, “a muzzle was a device to keep an animal from eating or biting. Paul’s reasoning in referring to this passage from Deut. 25:4 is as follows: If the Lord was concerned enough to command the House of Israel not to place unnecessary restrictions upon their beasts of burden, then the Corinthians should not place an unnecessary burden, or muzzle, on Paul. 

Their criticism of Paul in a previous letter are likened to placing a muzzle on the workhorse of the Gentile missions. It would seem that the Corinthians saints thought that Paul’s dining practices were improper, either because he was seen as too dependent upon his hosts or because he was considered in violation of Mosaic laws regarding mealtime cleanliness. They expected him to work without received so much as a meal’s pay for his ministry. They did not understand that the ‘labourer is worthy of his hire.’”

Despite all this negativity flowing his way, Paul was concerned that the saints would become discouraged, so he urged them “he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” The gospel was meant to be preached so that the joy of the message can radiate in the lives of those that are taught. But it’s not just meant for the recipients, but for those who preach as well. The hope that is sown is the hope that our efforts will one day eventually make a difference in someone else’s life and that hope must be significant because we are completely removed from the process shortly after teaching.

He’s pointing out that preaching the gospel doesn’t always have obvious, tangible, immediate rewards which means that the preachers must rely on hope to serve as their motivation, the hope that they are making a difference. It can be a thankless endeavor. Paul points out that even “they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple.” Those priests who serve in the temple would eat the food offerings in order to survive, so the precedent has been set for this.

Despite the precedent, Paul points out “even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” The word “live” is cross-referenced with Matthew 10:10 which says is where Jesus is giving instructions to the men he’s sending out on missions, saying, “nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.” Paul’s basically saying, “the Lord has instructed missionaries to trust in Him to provide for them, and often those provisions come from those to whom they are teaching,” 

Not only can we deduce someone’s legitimacy as a preacher of the gospel by what kind of lifestyle they reap from the people, but their motivations also come into play. I heard a story once about someone who was in college and met another student who was studying to become a preacher. But this other student didn’t know which denomination to go into, because they didn’t really believe what they were going to be preaching, but they knew that religion was big business and that was their motivation for going into the ministry. 

Paul asks about his motivation for preaching the gospel, saying, “What is my reward then?” He says that it is his duty to preach the gospel, and “woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” God had called him into His service, and if he “do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.” I took this last part to mean that he will have to account for a whole dispensation of the gospel being lost to people because of his inaction. Paul motivation was a duty to God, not to get rich; and surely not a life of easy and luxury, because let’s not forget that Paul was whipped five times, imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc. all so that he could remain faithful to what he believed was his calling in the gospel.

To further illustrate his point that he’s not living the lavish lifestyle they believe and that he is in fact sacrificing a great deal to preach the gospel, Paul says, “for though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.” He’s not living his own life, he’s not the person that he wants to be, in fact, he becomes “all things to all men”, so that he can relate to them and so that they might accept the gospel.

For example, Paul says that when he is with the Jews, “I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews.” I think it’s important here to note that I doubt that Paul suddenly changed his character and behaviors to “trick” the Jews into joining his religious off-shoot.  I believe that what Paul means here is that he adapted his actions to conform with the societal norms of Jewish society so that he not only wouldn’t offend anyone, but also so that the Jews might see him as one who could relate to them.

This is what happens when Paul encounters those “without law,” which I assume means the Gentiles. He doesn’t suddenly start acting like a heathen or celebrating pagan gods or anything like that, but he also probably doesn’t start performing the Pharisaic rituals that is not part of the gentile culture. The IM notes, “Paul was committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with all people, regardless of whether they were Jews or Gentiles, and he willingly adapted his behavior in order to minster more effectively to people from various cultural backgrounds. His allegiance was not to any culture or country but to the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

It would probably be safe to say that Paul held firm to the commandments he had been given by Christ and everything else that had to do with culture and society were flexible. That’s really an interesting concept, if we only hold Christ’s teachings as our non-negotiables, then let everything else be adaptable, how different would our lives be? Would I be so passionate about politics to the point where I drive people away from talking to me? What parts of my life would be different? And should I make this change now? I’m going to have to think about this.

Lastly, Paul talks about how he is able to maintain this focus and flexibility, and he gives a metaphor about running in a race and the prize that is received. He notes that “every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things… but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: let that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

This might seem non-specific but the IM explains that “Greeks and Romans placed great importance on athletic contests… When Paul pointed out that athletes were ‘temperate in all things,’ he was probably alluding to the strict diets and training regimens that athletes adopted as they trained for competition. Paul suggested that followers of Jesus Christ should strive for victory in a similar manner, working to overcome temptation and achieve spiritual self-mastery. Saints run a race not against others, but against sin and the challenges of mortal life. And the reward is not a ‘corruptible’ or perishable crown, but a crown of eternal life that lasts forever.”

This is an interesting concept because as we work to become better at keeping the commandments, we gain self-mastery, we become “temperate” meaning that we are stable as to what we partake in physically, but also emotionally. We are not volatile, angry, or hasty to judgment. We are not physically overcome by effects of food or drink, and all these things are what combines so that we can spiritually become “all things to all men.” I’m going to have to think about that.

Also I’m going out of town tomorrow until December 8^th so see you then!