1 Corinthians 9:3-7

1 Corinthians 9:3-7

This is my defense for the ones who conduct an inquiry of me.  Do we surely not have the authority to eat and to drink?  Do we not have authority to bring a believing wife along for the journey as even the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?  Or is it only Barnabas and I who do not have the authority to work?  Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense?  Who plants a vineyard and does not eat his fruit?  Or who shepherds a flock and does not eat out of the milk of the flock?

Thoughts for Today

First Thought

In the first verse of this section we still clearly get the sense that Paul feels he is on trial.  There are people making inquiries of him.  He has to defend himself.  Of course, this is normal for Paul.  When Paul went to Galatia, people came after him and infiltrated his churches and questioned his authority and credentials.  We ultimately know the Galatian churches abandoned Paul in favor of these other people.  When Paul went back to Jerusalem, they questioned him and put limits on what it should look like for Gentiles to come into knowledge of Jesus and Christianity.  When Paul preached through Greece he was challenged at nearly every turn.  Now we see that there are more people requiring a defense from Paul.  He lived a life perpetually on trial. 

Does it surprise you to hear that Paul had so much adversity during his ministry?  Why do you think this was true – after all, was he not the Apostle Paul?

Second Thought:

We do not believe Paul was married – although he could have been. We do not believe he or any of his disciples brought their wives or husbands along the missionary journey with them – although they could have.  We do know that Paul and Barnabas worked and supported themselves in ministry so that they wouldn’t burden their disciples with paying for their place.  We also know that most of the other apostles did not work but insisted that the churches support them.  Thus, Paul is making the case here that although he could have demanded wages and deservedly so – the priests have always been supported by the people – he chose not to be a burden on other people.  We are not sure why he made this choice, but it is likely for independence.  If Paul was supporting himself and not reliant upon the donations of the people around him, then he could do with his ministry what he wanted to do with it.  He would be free to follow God’s call as he saw fit.

What does it say to you that Paul knew he could have demanded support from his disciples and the churches that he was planting yet did not receive support?  Does this lift Paul and his ministry up in your eyes or does it make you feel skeptical of him and his ministry? 

Third Thought:

Paul then gives us three great examples.  When a soldier goes off to war, it is up to the king and the kingdom to support them on the battlefield with supplies and food.  When a person plants a vineyard – or a garden – they expect to be able to partake of its fruit.  When a shepherd leads a herd of sheep around and milks them, he is allowed to take part of that milk for his own nourishment.  It is not uncommon in the world for people to get paid and receive support for the work that they do.

Do you think this logic applies to church workers as well as people in the secular world?  What are the advantages to having church workers who get paid to do the work of the church?  What are the disadvantages of having church workers who get paid to do the work of the church?  Why do you think Paul landed on the side of the debate where he did?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 9:8-14