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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER NINE:
UNITY AND APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

Theme Verse: 23

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 – A Confirmed Apostle

1CO9:1 Am I not free? 450 Am I not an apostle? 451 Have I not seen our Master Jesus? 452 Are all of you not my work in [the] Master? 453

450

Am I not free: Or, CON: free from man’s authority; AMP: unrestrained and exempt from any obligation. Paul suddenly shifts his subject, though he picks it up again in chapter 10. Paul’s use of “free” in his question likely refers back to the restraints and non-restraints that he has previously said. Paul is “free” to do either but not if it offends another. The KJV: has this question after the next. It may be that Paul must appeal to his authority to confirm his previous counsel. [Galatians 5:1]

451

Am I not an apostle: It is a challenging rhetorical question which doubtless would have its detractors. Judging from what follows in this letter and the next there was a strong political force in the Corinthian congregation who were opposed to Paul. They thought themselves superior to him in the office of apostle. See 2 Corinthians chapters 11, 12. See notes else where on apostle or APOSTOLOS in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

452

Have I not seen our Master Jesus: Another rhetorical question posed to his detractors. Surely some asked: “How do we know? We only have your word on the matter.” Paul uses the Greek word HEORAKA for “have I seen.” His experience on the Damascus road – blinded by a great light and hearing the Hebrew voice of the Risen Master – was the same as seeing something. The word “experience” might convey the thought. [Acts 9:5; 22:6; 26:13] Paul was one of two unbelievers to whom Christ appeared after his ascension to heaven. [1 Corinthians 15:8]

453	Are all of you not my work in [the] Master: It is interesting how a group of people can turn against the very one who originally brought them the Faith. We remember from chapter 1 that some in Corinth said, “I belong to Paul.” So Paul had his supporters. [Acts 18:1ff]

1CO9:2 If I am not an apostle to others, I am sure in fact [an apostle] to all of you! 454 For you are a seal of my apostleship in [the] Master. 455

454	If I am not an apostle to others, I am sure in fact [an apostle] to all of you: Or, PME: even if others should refuse to recognize my divine commission, yet to you at any rate I shall always be a true messenger.

455	For you are a seal of my apostleship in [the] Master: Or, CON: stamps the reality of my apostleship; PME: living proof; WMS: union with the Master. The Greek KYRIO is without the article.

1 Corinthians 9:3-7 – Authority and Secular Work

1CO9:3 My defense to those raising a judgment of me is this: 456

456

My defense to those raising a judgment of me is this: Or, examine, critics, question my authority. The Christian Church is small and word travels fast. It is possible the Chloe family also reported these judgmental criticisms within the Corinthian ecclesia. Paul has already alluded to this at 1 Corinthians 4:3.

1CO9:4 Do we possess the authority to eat and drink [from the hospitality of others]? 457

457

Do we possess the authority to eat and drink [from the hospitality of others]: Or, MOF: have we no right to eat and drink at the expense of the churches; KNX: to be provided with. Paul uses “we” and so he either refers to the “apostles” in general [1 Corinthians 4:9] or to his co-writer Sosthenes. [Luke 10:8; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17] Perhaps there was a criticism of Paul’s manner of accepting charity and hospitality. When one finds little to fault a Christian, complaints are manufactured.

1CO9:5 Do we not possess authority to lead about a sister as a wife, 458 just as the other apostles 459 also, as well as the brothers of the Master and Cephas? 460

458

Do we not possess authority to lead about a sister as a wife: Or, CON: do they deny my right to carry a believing wife with me on my journeys. This later rendering is misleading, for the Greek has “we.” Paul does not necessarily include himself. Judging from chapter 7 Paul was unmarried and likely a celibate widower.

459	Just as the other apostles: Paul may mean the Twelve, or he may use “apostle” in its wider use. [1 Corinthians 12:28; 15:7; 2 Corinthians 8:22]

460

The brothers of the Master and Cephas: We know that at least two of the Master’s half-brothers, James and Jude, became believers and leaders in the early Church. Cephas, the Greek name for Peter, had a mother-in-law according to one of Jesus’ early miracles, so he was likely married. [Matthew 13:55; Galatians 1:19; Matthew 8:14; John 1:42]

1CO9:6 Or, is it only Barnabas and I who have no authority not to be working? 461

461

Is it only Barnabas and I who have no authority not to be working: Or, KJV: have we not power to forbear working; PME: are Barnabas and I the only ones not allowed to leave their ordinary work to give time to the ministry; RSV: refrain from working for a living; NWT: refrain from secular work. Barnabas was an early missionary companion of Paul. [Acts 4:36; 9:27; 12:25; 13:2; 15:39] As apostles and teachers they did have the authority to devote themselves full-time to the ministry. Judging from 1 Corinthians 4 and 2 Corinthians 11 no one could accuse Paul of abusing this authority, for much of the time he is living a very simple and austere life. In the context of Corinth and Thessalonica Paul did support himself. [Acts 18:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:8]

1CO9:7 Who ever serves as a soldier from his own provisions? 462 Who plants a vineyard and is not permitted to eat the fruitage? 463 Or, who shepherding a flock is not permitted to drink of the milk? 464

462	Who ever serves as a soldier from his own provisions: Or, KJV: at his own charges; NEB: at his own expense; BAS: who ever goes to war without looking to someone to be responsible for his payment; BEC: does a soldier ever pay his own expense. Paul writes in a similar view to Timothy. [2 Timothy 2:4]

463	Who plants a vineyard and is not permitted to eat the fruitage: There is a strong echo here of Deuteronomy 20:6. [Proverbs 27:18]

464	Who shepherding a flock is not permitted to drink of the milk: Compare Deuteronomy 32:14. Paul uses several analogies that the Christian teacher is worthy of the charity and hospitality of the Church to continue to “work hard in speaking and teaching.” [1 Timothy 5:17]

1 Corinthians 9:8-10 – What the Law Says

1CO9:8 I am not speaking according to human principles. 465 Or does not the Law also say these same things? 466

465	I am not speaking according to human principles: Or, as a man, human judgment, after the manner of men, human arguments. Compare a similar phrase at Romans 3:5.

466	Does not the Law also say these same things: Paul has used some analogies and now he uses the Law to strengthen his argument that Christian ministers deserve a reasonable degree of material aid.

1CO9:9 For in the Law of Moses it is written: “You shall not muzzle a threshing bull.” 467 [Deuteronomy 25:4] Is The God showing concern for bulls? 468 Or, rather, is He saying this in our behalf? 469

467	You shall not muzzle a threshing bull: Paul quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 with an interesting application. He makes the same argument with the same text to Timothy regarding hardworking elders. [1 Timothy 5:18]

468	Is The God showing concern for bulls: Or, TAY: do you think God was thinking only about oxen when He said this. Here is a subtle principle drawn from the shadow of the Law. [Hebrews 10:1]

469	Is He saying this in our behalf: In other words, when Yehowah inspired Moses regarding threshing oxen eating of the grain, He had in mind those Saints who would minister to the Church.

1CO9:10 Surely it was written for us, 470 because the person plowing ought to plow in hope, 471 and the person threshing ought to [do so] in hope of partaking. 472

470	Surely it was written for us: Compare Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11.

471	Because the person plowing ought to plow in hope: Or, MOF: because the ploughman needs to plough in hope.

472	The person threshing ought to [do so] in hope of partaking: Or, PME: should have some hope of an ultimate share in the harvest. The idea or image of a poor farmer behind his plough having no hope of sharing in the product of his work is one of graphic sadness.

1 Corinthians 9:11-14 – An Unused Authority

1CO9:11 If we sowed spiritual things to you, is it such a big thing if we reap material things from all of you? 473

473	If we sowed spiritual things to you, is it such a big thing if we reap material things from all of you: Or, NOR: we have been busy planting spiritual seed in you. Compare similar language at Romans 15:27, Galatians 6:6-8, and Philippians 4:17.

1CO9:12 If others partake of this authority [among] you, why not also me? 474 But we have not used this authority. 475 We [refrained from our authority] because we wanted to cover [all of our own expenses] 476 so that we should not give any hindrance regarding the Good News of Christ Jesus. 477

474

If others partake of this authority [among] you, why not also me: Or, partakers of this power, allow others these rights. Some among the elders or teachers in Corinth were being materially cared for by the congregation. These very ones were taking advantage of the congregation and jealous of Paul’s authority.

475	We have not used this authority: Or, power, right. Though Paul says he “robbed other congregations” he did not accept such help from the “rich” Corinthians and labored as the tentmaker. [Acts 18:1-3; 20:34] This must have put some in Corinth to shame.

476

We [refrained from our authority] because we wanted to cover [all of our own expenses]: Or, suffer all things, forego every claim. Jesus never abused his authority. Indeed, the week if his passion he often slept out doors rather than stay in some wealthy Jewish home. None could accuse Jesus or Paul of living the good life at the expense of others.

477	So that we should not give any hindrance regarding the Good News of Christ Jesus: Or, an obstacle, hinder the progress. [2 Corinthians 6:3; 11:7] If Paul had waited for some material assistance the Gospel would have been “hindered” in reaching the Corinthians.

1CO9:13 Do you not realize that those who are working in the Temple eat the sacred [portions]? 478 And also, that those attending the Altar share a portion [of the meat] from the Altar? 479

478

Do you not realize that those who are working in the Temple eat the sacred [portions]: Paul also uses the example of the Jewish priesthood who were allowed to eat their sacred portion of the sacrifice offered on the altar. The Law provided God’s portion, the priest’s portion, and the worshippers’ portion. [Leviticus 6:16; Numbers 18:31; Deuteronomy 18:1] This would include the daily offering of the twelve loaves which the priests ate. Jesus makes reference to this at Matthew 12:3, 4.

479

Those attending the Altar share a portion [of the meat] from the Altar: Again, the Jewish worshipper brought forward the lamb for his sin-offering [or, grain or drink offering] with a portion burnt up in holocaust to Yehowah, another portion eaten by the priests, and yet another portion eaten communally in the table booths in the Temple courtyard. Note Paul words at 1 Corinthians 10:18.

1CO9:14 Thus, also the Master ordained 480 that those who proclaim the Good News should be living off the Good News. [Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7]

480

Thus, also the Master ordained: Or, PME: the same principle the Master has ordered; RSV: commanded. Paul now quotes his greatest authority – the Nazarene Jesus himself. Compare the two sources at Matthew 10:10 and Luke 10:7 where one says food and the other wages. Paul references this same source to Timothy. [1 Timothy 5:18] Paul shows his bias for Luke’s example as the beloved doctor was his own traveling companion. [Galatians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; Hebrews 13:16]

1 Corinthians 9:15-18 – Gospel without Cost

1CO9:15 But, I have not made use of [this authority]. 481 Nor did I write these things so that it might become so in my case. 482 For I would rather die than see any one make my boasting an empty thing. 483

481

I have not made use of [this authority]: Or, MON: I have never availed myself of any of these rights; NEB: never taken advantage of. Compare notes on 1 Corinthians 4:12. [Acts 18:3; 20:34; 2 Thessalonians 3:8] Paul writes that he had learned the secret of self-sufficiency – how to be low on provisions and how to have an abundance. [Philippians 4:11-13] He was often without life’s necessities as 1 Corinthians 4 and 2 Corinthians 11 show. There were times in his ministry when he lived off the kind charity of the congregations and hospitable individuals. At least when in Corinth, Ephesus and Thessalonica he did work to support himself so as not to be a burden on the poor. Though Corinth was likely well-to-do [“Are you rich already?” (1 Corinthians 4:8)], their attitude forced Paul not to accept help but return to tent-making. It is noteworthy that when Paul had to work in the case of Acts 18:3 it limited his ministry to only sabbath-day speaking. [Acts 18:4] When fellow missionaries came to visit him they must have brought the material means for him to become “intensely occupied with the Word.” [Acts 18:5]

482	Nor did I write these things so that it might become so in my case: Or, RSV: nor am I writing this to secure any such provisions. Paul writes similarly in Philippians 4:11.

483

For I would rather die than see any one make my boasting an empty thing: Paul will starve to death before accepting their help. [2 Corinthians 11:10] Paul uses the word-group boast(ing) often when writing to the Corinthians. [1 Corinthians 1:29, 31; 3:21; 4:7; 5:6; 9:15, 16; 13:3] The word occurs almost 30 times in 2 Corinthians, more often than any Bible book.

1CO9:16 For whenever I proclaim the Good News there is no cause for boasting because necessity is laid upon me. 484 For woe is me if I should ever stop proclaiming the Good News. 485

484

No cause for boasting because necessity is laid upon me: Or, MON: proclaiming the gospel gives me no grounds for boasting; NOR: necessity compels me to do that; CON: for I am compelled to do so by order of my Master. Paul expressed the reason anyone preaches and teaches the Gospel, “I believe and therefore I spoke.” [2 Corinthians 4:12, 13] Paul may have meditated on Jeremiah 20:9. [Luke 17:10]

485	For woe is me if I should ever stop proclaiming the Good News: Or, BAS: for a curse is one me if I do not; NJB: I should be in trouble if I failed to do it. Surely Paul thought of Ezekiel 3:18.

1CO9:17 For if I continue to perform this as a volunteer I have a reward. 486 But if I do it against my will, I still have a house-stewardship entrusted to me. 487

486	Perform this as a volunteer I have a reward: Or, CON: I might claim wages to reward my labor; TAY: if I were volunteering my services of my own free will, then the Master would give me a special reward. Compare the notes on 1 Corinthians 3:14. [1 Peter 5:2]

487

If I do it against my will, I still have a house-stewardship entrusted to me: Or, dispensation, steward, commission. See notes on 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2 and Matthew 24:45 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. [Galatians 2:7; Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25] Paul surely viewed himself personally as a “faithful and discreet slave.” [Matthew 24:45]

1CO9:18 What, therefore, is my reward? 488 [My reward] is that the Good News may be proclaimed without expense 489 while proclaiming the Good News. So that I might not abuse my authority 490 in [proclaiming] the Good News.

488	What, therefore, is my reward: Or, what pay.

489	[My reward] is that the Good News may be proclaimed without expense: Or, free of cost. Paul repeats this at 2 Corinthians 11:7.

490	So that I might not abuse my authority: Or, TCN: make a sparing use of the rights; ASV: not to use to the full. The Greek for “authority” is EXOUSIA and Paul uses it often. [1 Corinthians 9:4-6, 12, 18; 2 Corinthians 10:8; 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; Titus 2:15]

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 – All Things for the Gospel

1CO9:19 For though being free from all persons, 491 I myself am a slave to all persons so that I might gain more persons. 492

491	For though being free from all persons: That is, not obligated to anyone. Or, CON: from the authority of all men; NOR: in this way no one has any claim on me; TAY: I am not bound to obey anyone just because he pays my salary. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:1.

492	I myself am a slave to all persons so that I might gain more persons: Or, servant to all, win more. Paul is a disciple maker. [Matthew 28:19] His word “gain” here is later “save” at 1 Corinthians 9:22. [Galatians 5:13]

1CO9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew. 493 To those under law [I became] as under law, 494 so that I might gain those persons under law.

493

To the Jews I became as a Jew: The Christian Church is not “Jewish.” [Galatians 3:28, 29; Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6] Paul now outlines his methods in gaining, or saving persons to Christ. He is reasonable and adjustable to conform his manner and speech to the type of person to whom he is proclaiming the Gospel. An example of this is how he gave the same sermon to two different groups – Jew and Greek. Compare Acts 13:16-41 with Acts 17:22-31. To the Jews Paul uses sources and language they understand. To Greeks he does not quote Scripture, but their own poets or philosophers. There is an important lesson here for modern Christian preachers and teachers. Compare also Acts 16:3; 18:18.

494

To those under law [I became] as under law: Or, TAY: when I am with Gentiles who follow Jewish customs and ceremonies. Though this paraphrase may go a bit far it likely reflects Paul’s meaning as he has already mentioned the Jews who were under law. Paul writes that “the Law is good” and there is much in it that Paul can follow when among such persons. Compare the example at Acts 21:24, 26.

1CO9:21 To those persons without law [I became] as a person without law 495 – though I am not without God’s law, but [subjected] to Christ’s law 496 – so that I might gain persons without law.

495

To those persons without law [I became] as a person without law: Or, WMS: have no written law; TAY: when with the heathen I agree with them as much as I can. Paul does not become “lawless” but he strives to find common ground using language they can understand. The vast majority of humankind fit into this category. [Romans 2:12] An example might be eating foods at a meal in a non-Jewish home which were not kosher. [Acts 28:7]

496	Though I am not without God’s law, but [subjected] to Christ’s law: Or, KJV: under the law to Christ; NOR: this did not mean that I did not recognize the law of God. [Galatians 2:3]

1CO9:22 To those persons without any strength 497 I also became a person without strength so that I might gain persons without strength. I have become everything to everyone, 498 so that I might by all means save some. 499

497	To those persons without any strength: Or, the weak; GDS: the over scrupulous. [Romans 14:1; 15:1; 2 Corinthians 11:29] Compare the notes on Romans 12:15.

498

I have become everything to everyone: Or, PME: all things to all sorts of men; TAY: whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him. Successful missionaries throughout the Gospel Age have learned the truth of this principle. Rather than force believers to become Jewish, or even change their social and cultural background to conform to a foreign standard.

499	Save some: In a limited and qualified sense Paul is a savior who as a “fisher of men” gains or saves people from the world’s corruption. Imagine upon the resurrection the hundreds or thousands of Saints Paul directly “saved.”

1CO9:23 Everything I do is for the Good News 500 so that I should become a sharer 501 [of the Good News with others].

500

Everything I do is for the Good News: Or, to advance the Gospel. Paul’s entire life, thought, and manner is directed toward one of the most successful missionary efforts in human history. Today at the beginning of the 3rd Millennium Christianity is the largest single formal religion with two billion who identify themselves as “Christians.”

501	So that I should become a sharer: Or, partaker, fellow-partaker, joint-partaker. [Acts 19:26]

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Run to Win!

1CO9:24 Do all of you not realize that those persons running in a stadium all run, 502 but really only one [runner] receives the prize? 503 Continue to run so that you might attain [the prize]. 504

502

Persons running in a stadium all run: Or, run in a race, in a race all the runners run. The Greek for “stadium” is STADIO, a Roman measurement of distance. The word “run” (running) is from TREKHONTES from which the English “trek” and “track” are rooted. [Galatians 5:7] Paul draws on sports analogies several times.

503	Only one [runner] receives the prize: Or, wins the prize. [Philippians 3:14; Colossians 2:18]

504

Continue to run so that you might attain [the prize]: Or, PME: well, you ought to run with our minds fixed on winning the prize. Compare Hebrews 12:1. [Galatians 2:2; Philippians 2:16] The Christian race is not a sprint. It is more like a marathon that continues until death. It is true that some Christians begin the race with great enthusiasm but after two or three years begin to slow down. Others have faithfully paced themselves throughout a race lasting 50, 60, or 70 years. They may slow at the end but their hearts “rise up like eagles.” Surely Paul had already meditated on Isaiah 40:31. [2 Timothy 4:8]

1CO9:25 However, every person who is a contestant must exercise self-control in everything. 505 These [run] so that they might receive a corruptible crown. 506 We [run] so that we might receive an incorruptible [crown]. 507

505

A contestant must exercise self-control in everything: Or, KJV: striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things; WMS: rigid self-control in training; CON: trains himself in all manner of self-restraint; BEC: anyone who enters a contest goes into strict training. On “endurance” see the notes on 2 Peter 1:6 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

506

A corruptible crown: Or, KNX: a crown that fades; GDS: a wreath that will soon whither. [2 Timothy 2:5] A Christian should apply the same diligence as an athlete as the struggle in the Race. Note GDS at Luke 13:24, “Strain every nerve.” The Greek for “crown” is STEPHANON from which the English name Steven or Stephan is derived. [Acts 6:8, 15] Our Master also received a crown at the end of his race. [Matthew 27:29]

507	An incorruptible [crown]: Or, imperishable. The Christian crown is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 2:10; 3:11.

1CO9:26 So I am not running without purpose. 508 I am not boxing at empty air. 509

508	So I am not running without purpose: Or, uncertainly, aimlessly. [Philippians 3:13, 14; Hebrews 12:1]

509	I am not boxing at empty air: Or, WMS: punches the air; PME: no shadowboxer; TAY: I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around.

1CO9:27 But rather, I beat my forehead [black and blue] 510 and lead my body as a slave 511 so that, somehow, having preached to others, I become the very person disapproved. 512

510	I beat my forehead [black and blue]: Or, WMS: keep beating and bruising; NWT: pummel. The analogy is one of a fighter who beats his own brow and cheeks to toughen himself against blows.

511	Lead my body as a slave: Compare Romans 8:12, 13; Colossians 3:5. The Christian must show the same effort as the training boxer or gymnast.

512	I become the very person disapproved: Or, KJV: a castaway; RSV: disqualified; CON: fail shamefully of the prize. No Christian is absolutely assured the final prize of an incorruptible crown. The crown can be lost. [Revelation 2:10; 3:11] Compare Philippians 2:12; 3:12, 13.

Review Questions on Chapter Nine