Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Psalms 100-103
     New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 9

I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Cor 9:26-27).

In this chapter, Paul deals with his policy of financial support. It appears to be an interruption to his discussion on meats offered to idols in chapters eight and ten. However, instead of an interruption, it is an example of the principles he presents. Paul used himself as an illustration of the mature use of liberty. He was free to receive financial support from the church at Corinth, yet he willingly set aside that right to achieve a much higher goal.

Paul presents five arguments to prove conclusively that he had the right to expect financial support from the Corinthians. However, being a mature Christian, he balanced his authority with discipline. He did not have the right to give up his liberty in Christ, but he had the liberty to give up his rights. He gave the Corinthians believers a living example of the very principles he was writing about. The stronger believers in the church are to set aside their rights for the sake of the weaker Believers. Was eating meat really more important than edifying the church?

Paul then presents three reasons for giving up this right to support from the Corinthian church.

The first reason is for the Gospel’s sake. Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right; instead, we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ (v12). Paul wanted the message of the Gospel to be free from any obstacles or hindrances in the minds of lost sinners. What was Paul’s reward? The joy of preaching the Gospel of Christ without charge! This meant that no person could accuse him of underhanded motives or methods as he shared the good news of Jesus Christ.

The second reason was for the sinner’s sake. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some (v22). Paul was free to meet the needs of whoever he was witnessing to. Paul did not have a canned evangelistic presentation. While his message of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ never changed, he adapted his methods to fit the audience.

The third reason was for his sake. I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified (v27). An athlete must be disciplined if he is to win the prize. They need the self-control to give up the good and better for the best. In the same way, if a Christian is to mature and receive their reward in heaven, they need the discipline to give up their rights to build up the body of Christ. Paul had to discipline himself to give up his rights to have the joy of winning lost souls for Christ. If we want to serve the Lord and win His approval, we, like Paul, need to balance our rights with self-control and discipline.