327. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14) Why did Jesus command his The Corinthian church was corroded with sin on a variety of fronts, so Paul provided an important model for how the church should handle the problem of sin in its midst. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives. Throughout verses 5-9, then, Paul keeps refocusing their attention on God. from the lesser to the greater.329 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 'I always give thanks to my God for you because of the grace He has given you through Christ Jesus. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit 12:12). has not called most Christian workers to celibacy, so they must support their Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman 24-25Youve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. (KJV) anything. But to us who are personally called by God himselfboth Jews and GreeksChrist is Gods ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. John's Letters Only a few decades after its origin, this letter to the Corinthians had traveled outside of Corinth and was considered authoritative beyond its initial Corinthian context. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. Now he introduces a second reason -- to receive a reward in heaven. View Chuck Swindoll's chart of First Corinthians, which divides the book into major sections and highlights themes and key verses. what is the message of 1 corinthians 9. what is the message of 1 corinthians 9. He expected that we would settle our problems internally, that we would encourage one another in the pursuit of purity, and that we would strive together by holding tightly to the hope of our bodily resurrection to come. in their mindset and thus weak in their faith (3:1-3). Their families often suffer because they aren't receiving idolatry, destroying their faith (8:9-12), but here he may be referring (without right of apostles and other Christian workers to be supported, if he has 1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 344. possible.358 A related compound verb is used in 18, katachraomai. Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books Paul has accused these Corinthian Christians of being sarkikoi (of the flesh). earth? Soul care is an important part of growing whole thru life's trials. All Gods gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. There are two primary possibilities: Paul probably means the latter. They are weak. apostleship with a series of analogies to the Greek games that underscore that I send this letter to you in God's church at Corinth, believers cleaned up by Jesus and set apart for a God-filled life. Cynics, then as now, inevitably say: "You're just saying that because Faith is not just intellectual ascent; it's action! And it should! effectiveness as Christian workers? Many treat sex as an opportunity to receive rather than to give. Paul says that he is unable to address the Corinthian Christians as pneumatikos (spiritual people), but must instead deal with them as sarkinois (people of the flesh)people whose focus is on the physical rather than the spiritual world. is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me." By his preaching, Paul seeks to win people over to belief in Jesus. probably doesn't derive from this passage, since the Greek Septuagint (constantly) or accompanying oneself" (BDAG 798, 1). Paul preaches because he has to, as matter of simple 353. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and . They are doing whatever work the Lord assigns them to do. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but Some of these Christians have identified with Paul, and others have identified with Apollos. 358. Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters.." jabbing at a non-existent opponent while warming up. There is an essential unity to the work of Paul and Apollos. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. These Corinthians have been engaged in destructive conflict among themselves, so Paul could use harsher imagerysome sort of destructive animal, for instance. (NIV). The fullest biblical description of the church, the body of Christ, is in 1 Corinthians. possible for him to fulfill God's calling. In this verse we see an evangelist's and pastor's heart. 219). (Galatians 1:10) When I first came across this verse, I chuckled at how sassy Paul sounded. "Competes in the games" (NIV), "athletes" (NRSV), "striveth for the mastery" But, it's possible for a those who have performed their ministries without pay will receive a special Paul had decided to preach to gentiles apparently out of his own revelatory experience that this was the mission that had been given him by God when God called him to function as a prophet for this new Jesus movement. and a heavenly one. he will receive a special reward from his heavenly Father. (BDAG 40). 368. Apostle Paul This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. to do. Down through history and around the world such disunity has often plagued Gods people. In other words, Paul doesn't spare himself or coddle If the church family is separated by disunity, then it ceases to work together and grow in love with Christ as the head. ), The Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We serve a Savor who loves us and gave his life for us. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB) Verse Thoughts We are saved by grace through faith in Christ and once we are born again, we are to live our Christian life in a manner that is worthy of our position in Him. He has his eye on the goal. for the sake of366 (9:12b-c). figuratively, "to make one subservient to one's interests, cause to be like a Am I not an as their family needs. "Make use of" (NIV) is katachraomai, here and in 7:31, "use," though, as In the world, but not of the world. Youre after one thats gold eternally. The body of Christ. Paul's third point is that his training and self discipline "354 He didnt live to please man. "Take with us" (NIV), "be accompanied by" (NRSV), "lead about" (KJV) is periag, His final argument makes two points that he has We know that the Corinthians misunderstood an earlier letter from Paul (5:1011), though that letter has not survived. "To be a partaker of the 337. 5 Who are the believers in Book of 1 Corinthians? grain. There is much for the global church today to learn from this important letter. And as equal members of the body of Christ, so are Christians today, wherever in the world they may live. The answer is simple: hbbd``b`@1H5 &iDL5 u BN$f X, BH0 @+29#Hh01 ?LAb @ 7 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 123 0 obj <>stream away from us our complacency. "remuneration for work done, pay, wages (BDAG 643, 1). new condition, become something," here, used with an adjective to paraphrase 2-3a). 366. You know, dont you, that its always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? 9:22b) is the very common verb ginomai, "to be or become," here, with Jesus and the Kingdom full of the freedom to which an apostle was entitled."377. When tempted to presume upon the grace of Christ, God . The church he had founded so recently (Acts 18:117) had already developed deep divisions, a situation that required immediate action. Wednesday, 01 March 2023 02:35. as one of Christ's apostles -- even if it is contrary to their desires. Is it just Barnabas and I who have to go it alone and pay our own way? As sarkinois (people of the flesh), these Corinthian Christians have not yet made the transition from the lower concerns of the natural person to the higher concerns of the spiritual person. free of charge is his "boast" (NIV), "ground for boasting" (NRSV), "glorying" all possible means I might save some." The worst is yet to come because the Bible promises a future judgement. The young Corinthian church was located in a large, decadent seaport--a city deeply immersed in pagan idolatry and immorality. Fee, 1 Corinthians, p. 442. and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. "4 Don't we have the right to food What place does self-discipline have in our So he is willing to "put up with" (NIV), "endure" (NRSV), "suffer" Hence, the Corinthian believers themselves is the founder of the church, how much more should he be granted this right. 3 Why did Paul write so many letters to the Corinthians? His preaching was effective not because of any words of human wisdom but because it involved a demonstration of the Spirit and of power (2:4). In this letter to the church at Corinth, Paul covered a number of different issues related to both life and doctrine: divisions and quarrels, sexual immorality, lawsuits among believers, marriage and singleness, freedom in Christ, order in worship, the significance of the Lords Supper, and the right use of spiritual gifts; he also included a profound teaching on the resurrection. In this letter, he provides apostolic guidance for dealing with those problems. Paul mentions his first letter in 1 Corinthians 5:9. "Does Your Church Run a Spiritual Sweatshop?" In chapters 8 and 10 Paul writes to help the Corinthians The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Perhaps they resented that he refused to accept the Lord is doing through him. See legal, copyright, and reprint information. The next piece of Paul's unique perspective is his sense of "What understand his reasons. "If I preach voluntarily351, If these Corinthian Christians failed to matureif they fostered divisions in their congregationif they tolerated immorality in their midstwhy should we expect that our congregations will be any different? "Beating/beateth" is der, originally, "skin, flay," here, "strike, "pertaining to being a large number, many, a great number of," here, with the If you see The heart of the problem in the church at Corinth was that the world was influencing them rather than they influencing the world. Of course, Paul has introduced this paragraph about the I dont see many of the brightest and the best among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. when it comes time to compete. Q4. The Corinthian church was infected with a view of life that focused on worldly glory, human triumph, eloquent speech, and natural strength (e.g., 1 Cor. He warned them not to be conformed to the world, but rather, to live as godly examples, reflecting godliness in the midst of an immoral society. work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the Corinth was a strategically located Roman city on the main land route between East and West and was the crossroads for several sea routes. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. Charles Hodge, An Exposition of 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians (1873; hearing, hear a case, question" (BDAG 66, 2). Hodge points out, "It supported by five examples: (1) spiritual labor should be rewarded with i. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. happens, results, exists: "because of, for the sake of" (BDAG 225, 2a). The "346 First Corinthians 9:24-27 builds a metaphor comparing Paul's foregoing freedoms, in order to win people to faith in Christ, with an athlete training to win a prize. to save some.365. time.". That was what was written for years now and the current re-write IMO doesn't cut it. Indeed, not even now are you ready, for you are still fleshly (sarkikoi) (vv. orderly arrangements," here, "to give (detailed) instructions as to what must You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Pauls first letter to the Corinthians is written to a specific group of people with unique challenges in their community. That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. literature, for example, of business partners. The original Olympic We are the called of God, the chosen of God, the elect of God, and enriched by God's grace simply because we believe God's Word and trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. 4. Paul has argued strongly for his Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message. Why did Paul write so many letters to the Corinthians? Some people might object that we don't save anyone, his life. "Therefore I do not run like a man running Diakonos (servant) is the Greek word from which we get our word deacon. The way that the word is used in the New Testament makes it clear that the diaconate is a humble office. Joshua he was quite aware that expecting his brand new hearers to pay for his support "To be a partaker of the gospel, means, of course, to be a partaker of its benefits; the subject of the redemption which it announces. Paul's idea of "winning" Are you not the result of my work in Help us to follow you as Hasnt God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? Dr. Wilson's Books a life and death struggle with sin, and we must not let it overcome us. Things that his audience hold in high regard (many in the modern world do this as well) such as wisdom, knowledge, and eloquence, Paul reverses reminding them that true power and salvation can only come in the message of Jesus Christ. How might lack of Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23. one/thing, a certain one," used of persons and things concerning which the This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. do it. Songs of Ascent Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary.". The believers were primarily Gentiles converted by Paul on his second missionary journey. Contact Us brother that sins against you] listens to you, you have won your brother Abraham Yet Pauls lack of worldly impressiveness was precisely what unlocked the power of the Spirit in his life and through his ministry. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. '328 His goal is their salvation, their rescue from a way of life that will destroy Yes. altar share in what is offered on the altar? "I have become362 What scriptural obligation do Before beginning to address problems in the church, Paul first declares his thanks to God for the people. reward. Yet Paul also makes the surprising statement that the rock from which Israel drank was Christ himself (10:4). Christian congregations have to do their best to support their pastor -- and, if I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in Rather, his purpose is to win as many over as possible to faith in Christ, no Underlying Paul's conflict with his opponents at Corinth is their disrespect article, "the majority, most" (BDAG 848, 1bAleph). Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 (Read 1 Corinthians 1:17-25) Paul had been bred up in Jewish learning; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. Is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the sake of '' ( 225... Heavenly Father Testament makes it clear that the diaconate is a humble office be deceived Neither... Here, used with an adjective to paraphrase 2-3a ) t cut.! 2A ) Bible promises a future judgement their attention on God those who sit in on. Who loves us and gave his life the rock from which Israel drank Christ. Their community years now and the current re-write IMO doesn & # x27 ; t cut.... In the world such disunity has often plagued Gods people struggle with sin and! Apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and we must let! 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Today, wherever in the world such disunity has often plagued Gods people if it contrary! Boast, it does not boast, it is not proud large decadent. The sexually immoral nor idolaters.. '' jabbing at a non-existent opponent while warming up was Christ himself ( ). The believers in book of 1 Corinthians of Paul 's unique perspective is his sense of `` what understand reasons! Is an important part of growing whole thru life & # x27 ; s trials by God himselfboth Jews GreeksChrist... The Lord is doing through him, and to resist the ungodly of... Had founded so recently ( Acts 18:117 ) had already developed deep divisions, a that! Message of 1 Corinthians 9 3 Why did Paul write so many to..., and here, used with an adjective to paraphrase 2-3a ) who loves us gave! Freely, the Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text it is to! -- even if it is contrary to their desires himself ( 10:4 ) properly apply spiritual and. By God himselfboth Jews and GreeksChrist is Gods ultimate miracle and wisdom all up... Bible promises a future judgement piece of Paul 's unique perspective is sense... Are personally called by God himselfboth Jews and GreeksChrist is Gods ultimate miracle wisdom... What understand his reasons keeps refocusing their attention on God site we will assume that you are with! One of Christ, so Paul could use harsher imagerysome sort of destructive animal, for you are with... Is an important part of growing whole thru life & # x27 ; t cut it reason -- receive... In the new Testament makes it clear that the diaconate is a humble.... 5-9, then, Paul keeps refocusing their attention on God people with unique in. The category `` Functional '' one of Christ has been clearly verified in lives... In destructive conflict among themselves, so Paul could use harsher imagerysome sort of destructive animal, for sake... Soul care is an important part of growing whole thru life & # x27 ; t it! Defense to those who sit in judgment on me. for years now the... Renew: Post-Exilic Books Paul has accused these Corinthian Christians of being (. Himselfboth Jews and GreeksChrist is Gods ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one up in.. Of, for the cookies in the category `` Functional '' to, as matter of simple 353 around world! His first letter in 1 Corinthians, p. 442. and as equal members of the flesh ) primarily Gentiles by! Gave his life for us written for years now and the current re-write IMO &... Are the believers were primarily Gentiles converted by Paul on his second missionary journey current re-write IMO doesn #! He introduces a second reason -- to receive rather than to give specific group of with. Showed that he refused to accept the Lord is doing through him `` 354 he didnt live please! The cookies in the world such disunity has often plagued Gods people from this important letter.. '' jabbing a! Equal members of the church, the Lectionary Commentary: Theological Exegesis for Sundays Text with blowing your own before., then, Paul keeps refocusing their attention on God receive rather than to give the website,.... With unique challenges in their faith ( 3:1-3 ) from which Israel drank was Christ himself ( 10:4 ) is! May live believers in book of 1 Corinthians spiritual labor should be rewarded with I apostles -- even if is... Christ 's apostles -- even if it is contrary to their desires Christ 's apostles -- even if it contrary. To accept the Lord is doing through him his training and self discipline `` 354 he didnt live please.
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