Paul gave the Corinthians multiple analogies as to why he had the right to financial support for preaching the gospel, even as they had written him with their knowledge-based reasons for clinging to their rights and freedoms. The only difference is, after proving his right to financial support, Paul wholly and joyfully gave up that right! Let’s read about it:
“Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it”
1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Question 1. In 1 Corinthians 9: 13-14, to what Old Testament teaching does Paul appeal, which shows his right to benefit financially from preaching the Good News?
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The principle set down in the Old Testament was that the priests who worked in the temple got to eat their meals from the offerings brought, and those priests who served at the altar were to receive a share of the offerings. This feeding from the sacrifice was their right. It pictured Jesus offering His broken body and spilling out blood for us, that all believers, as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9) might feed on our forgiveness and new life in Him.
And, "In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it." So, those who minister the gospel message have the right to receive financial support from those who benefit from their gospel ministry.
By highlighting his right to receive financial support, Paul identifies with the Corinthians, who claim they have the right to eat food sacrificed to idols.
As God's people, we all have rights, but we miss the mark when we conclude that our rights are the objective. God has something greater in mind. Notice Paul's application of the gospel to his "rights":
"Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge"
1 Corinthians 9:15
Paul's heart was so affected by the cross, where Jesus gave up His rights, so ravished by Jesus' love that sacrificed all to forgive Paul's sins, that Paul couldn't bear to hold on to his rights. Indeed, he would rather die than lose his boasting rights, "I preach without charge."
What did Paul communicate to the Church at Corinth when he freely served them, accepting no financial support? The gospel! Paul displayed a picture of the cross before their very eyes, of One Who served, loved, and gave Himself freely to those trapped in sin, faltering in unbelief, gripped by doubt, and enslaved to this world. Jesus gave up all His rights and freedoms, and in love came to this world to receive nails in His hands and feet, a crown of thorns and a spear in His side, all to heal broken hearts, free captives, bring light to those in darkness, heal the wounded and save all who believe.
Jesus' love propelled Him to the cross, and what we see hanging on that tree is love bleeding, love crying, and love dying. He made your sin, sorrows, suffering, and guilt His own. In so doing, He has freed you completely, at the cost of His very life.
And it is this view of the cross that gripped Paul and compelled him to live and love and share and give freely. He says:
"Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!"
1 Corinthians 9:16
Question 2. What compels believers to serve without cost, surrender rights and freedoms, give without expecting anything in return, and pour out our lives for others? Please share:
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