1 Corinthians 9:1-22 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?… The greater minister of Christ — I. THE MORE INDEPENDENT OF CEREMONIAL RESTRICTIONS. Paul was an apostle, and had "seen Christ," a qualification that distinguished him as a minister from all but eleven others. Besides this, his natural and acquired endowments placed him in the first rank of reasoners, scholars, and orators. He was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, &c. But see how he regarded the mere conventionalities of religious society. "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free?" — referring to the eating of meat offered to idols, &c. (1 Corinthians 8:13). The greater the man, always the more independent he is of forms, fashions, customs. Hezekiah called that which his countrymen worshipped "Nehushtan," a piece of brass. Cromwell called that glittering insignia of authority on the table of the House of Commons a "bauble," Thomas Carlyle called all the pageantry of office and the glitter of wealth "shams." Burns called the swaggering lordling a "coof." A famous French preacher began his funeral address over the coffin of his sovereign with "There is nothing great but God." What cared Elijah for kings? Nothing. Felix trembled before the moral majesty of Paul, even in chains. II. THE HIGHER THE SERVICES HE RENDERS TO SOCIETY (vers. 1, 2). "He that converteth a sinner from the error of his ways, &c. What work approaches this in grandeur and importance? And the man who succeeds in accomplishing it demonstrates the divinity of his ministry (ver. 3). III. THE MORE INDEPENDENT HE IS OF THE INNOCENT ENJOYMENTS OF LIFE (vers. 4, 5). Paul claims the privilege to eat and drink as he pleased, and to marry or not. IV. THE MORE CLAIM HE HAS TO THE TEMPORAL SUPPORT OF THOSE WHOM HE SPIRITUALLY SERVES (vers. 6-14). The reasons are — 1. The general usage of mankind (ver. 7). He illustrates the equity of the principle from the cases of the soldier, the agriculturist, and the shepherd. 2. The principle of the Jewish law (vers. 8, 9). "Doth God take care for oxen?" Yes; but is not man greater than the ox? And shall he work and be deprived of temporal supplies? 3. The principles of common equity (ver. 11). 4. Other apostles and their wives were thus supported (vers. 6-12). Have we done less? Is our authority inferior? 5. The support of the Jewish priesthood (ver. 13). 6. The ordination of Christ (ver. 14; cf. Matthew 10:10). Looking at all that Paul says on that question here, the conviction cannot be avoided that no man has a stronger claim to a temporal recompense than a true gospel minister. Albeit no claims are so universally ignored. Call the money you pay to your butcher, baker, lawyer, doctor, "charity"; but in the name of all that is just, do not call that charity which you tender to the man who consecrates his entire being and time to impart to you the elements of eternal life. V. THE MORE READY TO SURRENDER HIS CLAIMS FOR THE SAKE OF USEFULNESS. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? |
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