1 Corinthians 9:19-23

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

While being free out of all people, I enslaved myself to all people in order that I should gain many more.  And to the Jews I became as a Jew in order that I should gain Jews.  To the ones under the Law I became as under the Law – while myself not being under the Law – in order that I should gain the ones under the Law.  To the ones without the Law – while not being without the Law of God but subject to Christ – in order that I should win the ones without the Law.  To the weak I became weak in order that I should win the weak.  I have become all things to all people in order that by all means I should save some.  And I do all things for the sake of the Gospel, in order that I should become one in fellowship with it.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought

Paul wraps up his discussion on being paid for spiritual services in this section.  He confesses that he was free.  He worked his own job to support himself.  Therefore, he voluntarily subjected himself to the people to whom he ministered.  He wasn’t paid to teach them about Jesus, but he did it anyways!  He did it as a means to fulfill his calling, not put food on the table.  He was willing to be subject to anyone who desired to learn from him, not just those who could financially support his work.

What does this reveal about the character of Paul?  Do you agree or disagree with his choices?  Why?

Second Thought:

Paul also gives us a very iconic passage in this section.  Essentially, Paul says, “I became everything to everyone.”  Now, it is easy to hear this as a statement of bragging.  It is not.  It is actually a statement of humble submission.  Paul is saying that he was willing to live in any way that did not compromise God’s ways if it meant reaching someone for Christ.  Therefore, if Paul went into someone’s house who didn’t eat pork, he wouldn’t eat pork either.  If Paul went into someone’s house who did eat pork, he would join them rather than refrain and potentially offend them – or worse, lecture them on why they shouldn’t eat pork!  If Paul went into someone’s home who was uncircumcised, he wouldn’t make a fuss and talk about how much they really need to be circumcised.  If Paul went into someone’s house and they lived a lavish lifestyle he wouldn’t insist on lecturing them on their need to live more humbly.  Rather than lecture people, what Paul is saying is that he built relationship.  Then out of that relationship he allowed the people around him to learn about God.  Paul is telling us that relationship comes first; teaching comes more powerfully when it can come through relationship where the other person can see the evidence of God in one’s life.

Do you think modern Christians understand this point?  Do we display a model of teaching through relationship and vulnerability?  How is this like a mentoring model?

Third Thought:

I love Paul’s focus at the end.  Paul says he does it all so that he might share in the fellowship of the Gospel.  He wants to be a part.  He has bought in fully and completely.  He wants nothing to interfere with his partnership with the Gospel.  His whole motivation is so that he can find God at work and join up with him.  Now, of course Paul wasn’t perfect and he had days where he was better at keeping this focus.  But this was his overarching goal in life: find God at work and join God’s movement to share in it.

What is your overarching goal in life?  How does it live out in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27