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4000 E. Collins
Rd. “Preaching the Living
Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND APOSTOLIC RIGHTS 1Co 9:1-15a (9/28/11) Grace Bible
Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl
Hilbert I.
AUTHENTICITY OF PAUL’S APOSTOLIC RIGHTS (1-2) A. [1Co 9:1] -
In building his case to authenticate his apostleship, the apostle Paul asks four
rhetorical questions. 1. The first had
to do with the fact that he was not a slave but a “free” (eleutheros) Roman
citizen. 2. The second
was directly related to the fact that he was an apostle. This was not a
self-promoted position but one that had to be commissioned by Christ (1Co
1:1; Act 9:3-9; Gal 1:1). 3. The third was
another authenticating qualification that had to be met in order to be an
apostle of Jesus Christ, namely had to have seen the resurrected Lord (1Co
15:8; Gal 1:1). In addition to these two qualifications, an apostle had to
also have been empowered by the resurrected Christ (2Co 12:12; Act 19:11-12). 4. His final
question authenticated his apostleship by the conversion and fruit in the
lives of those in the Corinth church. B. [1Co 9:2] -
They themselves were his “seal” (sphragis - stamp or seal of authenticity) of
certification. Others may not have accepted his apostleship, but they had to
because Paul led them to Christ and proved his apostleship among them if
nothing other than signs and wonders (2Co 12:12) II. DEFENSE OF
PAUL’S APOSTOLIC RIGHTS (3-6) A. [1Co 9:3] -
Paul defends his apostleship while driving home the point that he put some of
his apostolic rights aside even as Christians are to do in their Christian
Liberty. “Defense” is the Greek word apologia
(Eng. “apology”) and is a legal term as in a legal argument. There were
those who set themselves up as judges and “examined” (anakrinō - cp. Act 28:18) Paul’s
apostolic credentials. B. [1Co 9:4] -
Paul asks three more rhetorical questions in regard to the rights of the
apostles. The word for “right” is exousia
and means have the power or freedom to do a certain thing. It is used in vs.
4, 5, 6, 12, and 18. The “right to eat and drink” in this context (1Co
9:9-11) probably refers to the provisions of the local church. C. [1Co 9:5] -
Paul as well as the other apostles had a right to be married in spite of what
he said in chapter seven. The apostles could even take their wife along and
the idea is that the church would be responsible to provide for her as well.
Paul then cites some examples of apostles who had a wife: Cephas, i.e. Peter
(Mar 1:30) and the rest of the Lord’s brothers (cp. Mat 13:55 and cp. James,
Gal 1:19). D. [1Co 9:6] -
All of the apostles and their assistants (Barnabas) had a right to refrain
from working and be supported by the local church. Paul however supplied most
of his own provisions as a tentmaker, which concept he will explain further
(15-18). III. EXAMPLES OF
DOMESTIC RIGHTS (7-10) A. [1Co 9:7] -
Paul continues to use examples to prove his point that apostles as well as
others have a right to be supported. The more Paul built up his point the
more impact it had when he put his rights aside as in Christian Liberty. 1. The soldier
is supported by the military. 2. The
vinedresser partakes of the fruit of his own vineyard. 3. The shepherd
is not forbidden the milk of the flock. B. [1Co 9:8] -
Paul in subtle godly sarcasm asks if his arguments are purely man’s judgments
and not God’s. Then rhetorically asks if this principle can be found in the
Scriptures. C. [1Co 9:9] -
He draws from the example of the right of oxen to eat from the same grain
they are threshing found in Deu 25:4, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” It
was not that oxen were God’s favorite animals that He gave this command. Rather
such principles were right by God’s own judgment and character. D. [1Co 9:10] - Paul was transferring the
principle from the character of God to the affairs of men, for whose sake it
was written. 1. It is right by God (and Jesus)
that the laborer is worthy of his wages (cp. Luk 10:7). 2. Therefore the ploughman should
expect to share in the increase. As does the person who threshes. IV. EXAMPLES OF
MINISTRY RIGHTS (11-15a) A. [1Co 9:11] - Paul was leading to his logical
conclusion (11-14). If oxen are worthy of their grain and farmers are worthy
their increase, then how much more in spiritual things are apostles or
ministers worthy of their wage. 1. Those who plough the hearts of
men through the teaching of Scriptures, should reap both spiritual and material
blessings. 2. Though Paul was mostly
self-supported, he was supported by numerous churches. a) The churches
gave toward Paul and his ministry (2Co 8:1-5). b) The churches gave towards the
poor saints in Jerusalem (Act 11:29; Rom 15:25; 1Co 16:1-3). B. [1Co 9:12] - “Others who share
the right over you” speaks of other apostles (Peter cp. 1Co 1:12; 3:22) and
ministers (Apollos) to whom the Corinthian church supported financially. Paul
had every right to be supported by them much more. 1. However Paul did not use the
right. In other words, being a tentmaker Paul supported himself and did not
receive contributions on his behalf from the Corinthians. 2. The reason
that he “endured” (stegō - bear up under) all things including financial
hardships was so that he would not give any hindrance to the gospel.
“Hindrance” (egkoptō - lit. “cut into”) means to impede or detain. Paul
wanted nothing to hinder the gospel from being received. C. [1Co 9:13] - At this point Paul
alludes to the OT priesthood as another biblical precedence showing apostles
and minister have a right to be supported. 1. In fact it was God Himself who
set up the support of the ministry of the priesthood (Num 18:8-24). 2. Those who performed “sacred” (hieros - temple, i.e. temple priests)
service ate the food of the temple and those who ministered at the altar (thusiasterion
- place of sacrifice) took their share from the altar. D. [1Co 9:14] - The concluding
principle as directed by the Lord toward those preaching the gospel, was that
they were to be provided for and get their living from the gospel. In other
words they were supported by those to whom they ministered. E. [1Co 9:15a] -
After Paul so biblically and thoroughly proved that apostles and ministers
have a divine right to be supported, he states emphatically that he himself
used none of it. 1. He did not
receive the support from the Corinthian church, not desiring to hinder the
gospel. 2. Though it may
appear that Paul veered from the subject of Christian Liberty, he was using
himself as an example of putting one’s rights, liberties, and preferences
asidefor the sake of the gospel. V. OBSERVATIONS
AND APPLICATIONS A. Christian
Liberty 1. Edification
of believers is never sacrificed by one’s Christian liberties (1Co 8:1; Ro 14:19; 15:2; 1Co 10:23b). 2. Causing a
brother to stumble would be a reason to forfeit Christian liberties (Ro 14:13, 21; 1Co 8:13). 3. Propagation
of the gospel is never to be hindered by Christian rights and liberties (1Co
9:12). 4. Agape love is
never to be demoted because of Christian liberties (Rom 14:14-16). B. Supporting
the Ministry 1. It is a
biblical principle to support pastors and missionaries. It is in keeping with
the character of God to count ministers as doing a holy work. 2. It is given
in appreciation of those who devote their study and time to the expository
teaching of the Word (Gal 6:6). Consider what it is like without it. C. Being
Supported by the Ministry 1. It is a
blessing to live a life of faith depending upon the Lord (Mat 6:33). 2. It is a great
encouragement to know that people are being blessed by the ministry. 3. It is a
beautiful picture of agapê coming from
God extending to the saints from those who minister, and back in great
gratitude toward God. |
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