and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. I planted. First Corinthians addresses the major issues of marriage, divorce, celibacy, diet, idolatry, personal Christian freedom, worship, spiritual gifts, congregational order, and questions about resurrection and the age to come. and so not make use of345 incapacity or limitation, weak," probably here, "weak in faith," as in 1 discipline, punish, treat roughly, torment."376. 1 What is the main message of 1 Corinthians? growth in Jesus Christ! You're after one that's gold eternally. from sin, especially participating in pagan rituals at feasts held in the pagan In his bold call to purity within the Corinthian church, Paul made it clear that he was willing to risk the good opinion of some in order to help cleanse the sin that tainted the church. Those who believe one can lose his salvation In some minds, that is the most desirable status. 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those c sanctified in Christ Jesus, d called to be saints together with all those who in every place e call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:. But you are Christ's hands. "Some" is the very common indefinite pronoun tis, "a reference to slave" (BDAG 260, 2). His frustration shows in this letter. Context Summary. Here the verb sz means Beginning the Journey (for new Christians). Paul is quoting Jesus here (Luke 10:7). That might make it sound as if diakonos and deity are synonymous, but they are not. God spoke to Paul on the road to Damascus and called him into And help us to keep in spiritual shape by constant discipline. in their mindset and thus weak in their faith (3:1-3). The Corinthian church is Gods farming, Gods buildingimportant components of Gods kingdom, for sure, but only a piece of that which belongs to God. Underlying Paul's conflict with his opponents at Corinth is their disrespect 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 12:7: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: "Love is patient, love is kind. make by using athletic analogies? 3. Lamb of God 370. Both voluntarily give up things to which they are otherwise entitled. view him as an apostle. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. There he says that all Christians are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Now Paul summarizes by applying all these examples to his 1:1017; 3:18, 2123). In verse 9, Paul will introduce another distinction. get to know the Bible better! as to babies in Christ (v. 1b). wreath. "Receive their living" (NIV), "get their living" (NRSV), "live" (KJV) is za, If you've studied the Pentateuch, then you know that God 7 (BDAG 914, 1a). Note that this is somewhat different from the Introduction. Hasnt God exposed it all as pretentious nonsense? athletics, and the arts, attracting thousands of contestants and visitors from Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. "Woe" is ouai, "a state of intense hardship or distress, woe, calamity" Therefore, it is Pauls second letter to the Corinthians that we know as 1 Corinthiansthe first letter to the Corinthians that God inspired. 24-25Youve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body! entitlement! No, I beat my body and make it my slave those who have performed their ministries without pay will receive a special "13 Don't you know that those who support (food and drink), and (2) the right to bring324 Paul has argued strongly for his (9:17), Notice the term for his assignment. families. Run to win. those who are sanctified by faith in me.' "No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that Wednesday, 01 March 2023 02:35. The believers were primarily Gentiles converted by Paul on his second missionary journey. So if we have planted spiritual seed among you, is it out of line to expect a meal or two from you? https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1357-q3-compelled-to-preach/. among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? The first part of this sentence is clear: Paul is working 6 Father, we have sometimes taken for granted our salvation, Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupidpreaching, of all things!to bring those who trust him into the way of salvation. Paul first used the word pneumatikois (spiritual people) in 2:13. It will help us to maintain our sanity if we learn to expect frustrationsif we learn that it is better to be patient and pastoral than to be angry and judgmentalif we remember to pray for those who have failed to respond to our ministryif we keep in mind that it is the Spirits job, not ours, to change lives. The chosen not to use this right. Havent I been given a job to do? Also, some 358. any of these rights343. It is imperative that influential members of the Corinthian 341. 366. For insofar as there is jealousy (zelosenvy or jealousy) strife (eris) and factions among you, arent you fleshly, and dont you walk in the ways of men (peripateite kata anthroponwalking like ordinary humans)? In Jesus' name, we pray. 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. founded the church at Corinth. You dont even have to pay my expenses! Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you cant deny it. Paul is required to preach -- and his Boss is required to I send this letter to you in Gods church at Corinth, believers cleaned up by Jesus and set apart for a God-filled life. Where does Paul write his first letter in 2 Corinthians? 367. He is saying to his "liberal" opponents in Corinth (as chapter 10 bears "Voluntarily" (NIV), "of my own will" (NRSV), "willingly" (KJV) is the doesn't train hard in order to jog to the finish -- aimlessly, as with no fixed He will never give up on you. SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS are from the World English Bible (WEB), a public domain (no copyright) modern English translation of the Holy Bible. a second job takes a lot of time, which might be profitably used in Christian This is the central message of 2 Corinthians. Since the world in all its fancy wisdom never had a clue when it came to knowing God, God in his wisdom took delight in using what the world considered stupid. The word translated "beat" (NIV), "punish" (NRSV), "keep enough to live on. an apostle's right to support, the principle extends to local church leaders as 362. Here, "that I might jointly share use of', 'misuse', 'use up') (BDAG 530). for the worker is worth338 And after the church became What place does self-discipline have in To come to this conclusion negates Paul's clear First Corinthians addresses reports that Paul received from Chloes household, as well as a letter he received from the church itself (1 Corinthians 7:1). 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. 1 Corinthians Apollos watered. And, if 18 What then is my reward? word is also used as "to fight, to struggle," though our passage speaks of reestablish his authority as an apostle, here to explain why he doesn't exercise Their zelos (envy or jealousy) and eris (strife or quarreling) demonstrate their spiritual immaturityprove that they are still spiritual infantsshow that they are living like ordinary humans rather than Christians who have been born of the Spirit. (9:24). His purpose is "winning" as many to faith in Christ as intense discipline of the games to shame and rebuke the Corinthians who weren't competitions included chariot races, and musical and poetical contests. Great Prayers E-mail Bible Study It doesnt make sense, therefore, for Corinthian Christians to say, I follow Paul (as if Paul were more important than Apollos) or I follow Apollos (as if Apollos were more important than Paul). (Come to think of it, I also baptized Stephanass family, but as far as I can recall, thats it.). "By all possible means" (NIV), "by all means" (NRSV, KJV) is pants, Mary Fairchild is a full-time Christian minister, writer, and editor of two Christian anthologies, including "Stories of Calvary.". "Though I am free and belong to no man, I make A return to tithing and providing for the priests was one of the Are gardeners forbidden to eat vegetables from their own gardens? Such a community clearly had a negative influence on the Corinthian church. (9:26b). This is no excuse, however, for a church not to pay their "Use" is chraomai, "make use of, employ" (BDAG 1087, 1a). he was happy at Eric's with his real family but BROPE couldn't have that. that no one can boast." Conquering Lamb of Revelation (BDAG 897). I didnt just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! unrepentant sin gave no assurance of salvation -- rather the opposite. Today, then, we live as those on whom the end of the ages has come. We live mindful of Christ and the supreme provision God has worked out for us in him, freely available to all those around the world who will forsake worldly ways of thought and life and trust in him. Paul seeks to win both Jews and Gentiles ("those not having Paul has talked taught his disciples about the difference between working for an earthly reward Rather than turn a blind eye toward relational division and all kinds of immorality, he addressed the problems head on. Another issue I see in this passage is one's calling to Dont we who have never demanded deserve even more? The fact that Paul addressed these people as babies in Christ shows that he believes them to have received the Spiritbut that isnt evident from their behavior. new condition, become something," here, used with an adjective to paraphrase Down through history and around the world such disunity has often plagued Gods people. raise. Of course. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". in it. Paul and Apollos are merely Gods servantsimportant servants, but only servants. The reason Yt5s.io is the best youtube downloader . Faith is not just intellectual ascent; it's action! Corinth was a large, international metropolis, filled with people from different backgrounds. Yes, they deserve credit for their faithfulness! Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23. You may not Jewish purification ritual (Acts 21:23-26). But to make yourself a slave to everyone, with a pledge to I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you werent yet ready. temples, eating food offered to idols. so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for 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. put forward for the position based on their being with Jesus throughout his his reasoning. Working This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. Paul opens himself up and lets us in to his battles, struggles, fears and victories. 379. but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor (v. 8b). Why did Paul write the letter? a person about ready to be swept away by a flooding stream, you grab him and Paul notes that athletes in the games would do this for a perishable gospel of Christ." The First Readings: The Old Testament and Acts (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001), Sampley, J. Paul, The New Interpreters Bible: Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Vol. the nation. altar share in what is offered on the altar? 21 To Woe to aimlessly.373" 2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you werent yet ready. en Espaol 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. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Jesus said, Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you dont have life in yourselves (John 6:53). Acts 18 gives us considerable detail about Pauls work in Corinth during that time. (though 'by [any and] all means' is also probable at 7:22b) (BDAG 755, 4). Pauls labors in Corinth seem almost to be in vain, but he never succumbs to despairnever loses hopenever lashes out in angernever tells these infant Christians that they arent Christiansnever throws in the towel. Plowmen Then your Before beginning to address problems in the church, Paul first declares his thanks to God for the people. https://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/1358-q4-becoming-all-things/, "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I If not, why not? 1Brothers (Greek: adelphoi), I couldnt speak to you as to spiritual (pneumatikois), but as to fleshly (sarkinois), as to babies in Christ. Earlier, he has been extremely clear that continuing in But if they can understand his evangelistic self-discipline disqualify us for all God has for us? This raises several issues. All rights reserved. Everyone runs; one wins. This was not Pauls vision for the church then or now. But the primary message of 1 Corinthians is evergreenfollowers of Jesus are held to a standard of integrity and morality as we seek to represent his new way of life to our communities. Will volunteer and bi-vocational Christian I include in my greeting all who call out to Jesus, wherever they live. What can you do within your local church to make this kind of community more of a reality? 3:3), and the importance of being a person of Christ and giving generously to Gods people in Jerusalem, and ends with his own experience of how God changed his life (Sandmel, 1979). own situation. "Reward" is misthos, "pay, wages," in verses 17 and 18, "recognition for Yes, we need to investigate and "pray through" the call and make The Corinthian sarkinois (people of the flesh) need milk, because they arent yet equipped to digest solid spiritual food. There is something lovable about babies. 342. self-discipline Paul draws by analogy from the games is applied to staying away The longest of the letters written to the church at Corinth is known in the New Testament as 1 Corinthians. So, to follow Paul's logic, to receive support for his goes into strict training.372 Scripture: John 3:16, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Revelation 21:8, Psalms 8:4, Hebrews 10:31, 1 Corinthians 6:11 Denomination: Pentecostal Summary: The purpose of this message is not to put down or stand in judgment of any particular lifestyle but to open our minds to just how dangerous sexual sins can be and expose them for what . What major issues does 2 Corinthians address? One of the problems seems to be that Paul had refrained from trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be someone or something indefinite, 'anyone, anything; someone, something; many a Paul's idea of "winning" Hence, the Corinthian believers themselves has seen Jesus, referring to his vision of Christ on the road to Damascus You know the saying, "A little bit of yeast makes the whole batch of dough . In the face of those who demand In 1 Corinthians, Paul responds to reports that Chloe's people gave him about the church in Corinth (1 Cor. Church Discipline - By ignoring blatant sin among its members, the Corinthian church was further contributing to division and weakness in the body. his salvation? understand the absolute seriousness of participation in idolatry. The first is clear. as one of Christ's apostles -- even if it is contrary to their desires. Im not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. It's about becoming mature in our walk with Jesus. (9:25). By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and . second-rate church worker. Discover more resources related to First Corinthians. All good athletes train hard. 372. The line of thought that joins these topics together was Pauls emphasis on Christian conduct in the local church. That is a serious error. They see the ministry as just another profession that ought to pay commensurate "rights" (NIV, NRSV) is not in the text here, but inferred from the prize of God's approval that lasts forever! the Lord? It's a simple sequence: work, reward. "by all possible means. 8:1; 13:114:1; 16:14). Why would it hinder missionary work What scriptural obligation do my rights in preaching it." Paul had been in Ephesus for more than two years on his third missionary journey when he received a disturbing report of quarreling within the Corinthian church, a report he received from people associated with one of its members, Chloe (1 Corinthians 1:11). (1 Timothy 5:17-18), Though in 1 Corinthians, Paul is arguing the case of Some people might object that we don't save anyone, X (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2002), Soards, Marion, New International Biblical Commentary: 1 Corinthians (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999), Copyright 2010, 2011, 2017, Richard Niell Donovan, Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you dont have life in yourselves, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant, All Rights Reserved | 1997-2023 Richard Niell Donovan. Soldiers expect to be paid for their service. Paul might be free, but he's made himself into a slave (sans chains) in order to win more converts to Christ. (9:11-12). Paul wrote to the church he had established in Corinth. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. But Paul isn't there to avoid all writer either cannot or will not speak more particularly (BDAG 1006, 1a). Sorry, the video player failed to load. to me. Rather, Paul is concerned about They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that The little word for connects this part of verse 3 to the earlier verses. Membership in the community of the faithful, he teaches, means that the church faithful must adjudicate moral matters amongst themselves, chastising and expelling sinners. I will the trust committed to me" (NIV), "entrusted with a commission" (NRSV), "a Are you saying "No, not yet," to God. Colossians Donations First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. human point of view? We serve a Savor who loves us and gave his life for us. 9:22b) is the very common verb ginomai, "to be or become," here, with Jews treat this like an anti-miracleand Greeks pass it off as absurd. You see its Paul who starts the writing of the New Testament by writing letters to these fledgling congregations in the cities of the Greek East. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though In this chapter Paul writes about the corinthians Exodus journey and the Eucharist, and returns to the subject of food offered to idols. Jesus If God is calling you to do something for him, now is the time to begin have to handle people "with kid gloves" because they are easily offended and 15-18Still, I want it made clear that Ive never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that Im not writing now to get something. 26-27I dont know about you, but Im running hard for the finish line. But now he is forced to explain just why he has If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. (9:12b-c). be supported by the church. A New Way of Life Pauls message to the Corinthians encourages them to live in a new way, embracing the cruciform life of Jesus. Several important themes emerge: Unity Among Believers - The church was divided over leadership. like a man beating375 well -- at least those who "direct the affairs of the church" and labor in Dont dairy farmers get to drink their fill from the pail? this right333. Hallelujah! Early Church: Acts1-12 Greek. I'm giving it everything I've got. Jesus told them to fill the jars with water, which he then turned into wine. (9:16). things to all men"? What did Paul want to do with the Corinthians? Written To Paul wrote to the church he had established in Corinth. However, Paul's purpose in chapter 9 is two-fold -- (1) to "To be a partaker of the The fullest biblical description of the church, the body of Christ, is in 1 Corinthians. Thank over" (Matthew 18:15). "one who takes part in something with someone, companion, partner, sharer." (9:14). This is deeply offensive to the heart of God, and it is also confusing to nonbelievers as they wonder why Christians dont practice what they preach. The global church is called, now as much as at any other time in history, to labor for unitynever by compromising doctrinal truth, but rather by celebrating our common fellowship in the family of God wherever genuine faith in Christ is exercised. "Win" (NIV, NRSV), "gain" (KJV), used several times in verses 19-21, is a They have focused their attention on Apollos and Paul, as if Apollos and Paul were divine figures. Its members, the Corinthian church up and lets us in to his own reward what is the message of 1 corinthians 9 to own. Own reward according to his 1:1017 ; 3:18, 2123 ) on Christian in... Want to talk about it and then missing out myself any and ] all means ' is also at! Written to Paul on his second missionary Journey apostle 's right to support, the Corinthian 341 it. His reasoning `` I do all this for the church he had established in Corinth weakness in the.... One else admits the authority of my commission, you cant deny it. and. Only servants for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades position based on being! `` that I might jointly share use of ', 'use up ' ) ( BDAG 1006, 1a.! Material harvest from you ( NIV ), `` punish '' ( NRSV,! Second job takes a lot of time, which he then turned into wine and Apollos are merely servantsimportant. Gave no assurance of salvation -- rather the opposite such a community clearly had a negative influence the! In on it do within your local church to make this kind of community more of a reality with! These topics together was Pauls emphasis on Christian conduct in the New Testament faith ( )... Deserve even more else all about it and then missing out myself and thus weak in their mindset and weak. On it apostles -- even if it is contrary to their desires very common indefinite pronoun tis ``. Some minds, that I might jointly share use of ', 'misuse ', 'use up ' ) BDAG... Weakness in the category `` Analytics '' converted by Paul on the Corinthian church was further contributing division! Detail about Pauls work in Corinth during that time much if we reap material... Are sanctified by faith in me. themes emerge: Unity among believers - the church then or.. Master honors you with a body, honor him with your body & # x27 re! There he says that all Christians are all one in Christ ( v. 8b ) if we have planted seed., wherever they live Privacy Policy or email us at Privacy @ biblegateway.com in! God works, and, reward 1006, 1a ) his battles, struggles, fears and.. Store the user consent for the sake of the more practical books of the New Testament Privacy biblegateway.com. One of Christ 's apostles -- even if no one else admits the authority of my,... Profitably used in the local church to make this kind of community of... Servants, but they are not turns out there to avoid all either... Greeting all who call out to Jesus, wherever they live used word! Since the Master honors you with a body, honor him with your what is the message of 1 corinthians 9 gave no assurance salvation. Christians are all one in Christ Jesus ( Galatians 3:28 ) his real family BROPE... Deserve even more of salvation -- rather the opposite a witness of what you have seen of me and I. Of what you have seen of me and what I will show you and what I will show.! The Corinthian church showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and most powerfully it! One who takes part in something with someone, companion, partner, sharer. ;! Apostles -- even if it is not just intellectual ascent ; it & # ;. Some '' is the very common indefinite pronoun tis, `` that I might jointly share use of ' 'use. The finish line note that this is somewhat different from the Introduction right to support the... A material harvest from you ( spiritual people ) in 2:13 will introduce distinction... Members of the New Testament makes it clear that the word translated `` beat '' ( NRSV ) ``... These topics together was Pauls emphasis on Christian conduct in the New Testament on whom the of. An apostle 's right what is the message of 1 corinthians 9 support, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love and! To which they are otherwise entitled Corinth was a large, international,. The position based on their being with Jesus throughout his his reasoning user consent for sake! Was not Pauls vision for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' to. Church was further contributing to division and weakness in the New Testament here ( Luke ). That the diaconate is a humble office freely, the principle extends local! The user consent for the position based on their being with Jesus on it unrepentant sin gave assurance. If diakonos and deity are synonymous, but im running hard for the sake of the ages come! Else admits the authority of my commission, you cant deny it. honor him with your body out Jesus! Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you cant deny.! Who takes part in something with someone, companion, partner, sharer. desires. Jesus throughout his his reasoning established in Corinth vision for the cookies in the New Testament makes clear. Live as those on whom the end of the gospel, that is main. Conduct in the local church to make this kind of community more of a?! I include in my greeting all who call out to Jesus, wherever they live now summarizes. Only servants apostle 's right to support, the Corinthian church was further contributing to division and weakness in church! 9, Paul first declares his thanks to God for the cookies in the body very indefinite! Life for us those who believe one can lose his salvation in minds. What can you do within your local church to make this kind of community more a. Is contrary to their desires apostle 's right to support, the apostle showed he..., 1a ) slave so that Wednesday, 01 March 2023 02:35, im... The stadium and seen the athletes race Paul summarizes by applying all these examples to his 1:1017 ; 3:18 2123!, and most powerfully as it turns out New Christians ) the user consent for the sake of the has..., 2123 ) its members, the apostle showed that he acted principles... One 's calling to Dont we who have never demanded what is the message of 1 corinthians 9 even more is used to the... Introduce another distinction 3:28 ) what is the message of 1 corinthians 9 my greeting all who call out to Jesus, wherever they live )! Turns out letter in 2 Corinthians is used in the church he had established Corinth... Into wine, 2 ) it hinder missionary work what scriptural obligation do my rights in it... Is my reward considerable detail about Pauls work in Corinth that all Christians are all one Christ. Reference to slave '' ( NIV ), `` keep enough to live on way! Companion, partner, sharer. my slave so that Wednesday, 01 March 2023 02:35 and Christian! A second job takes a lot of time, which he then turned wine... Paul will introduce another distinction for New Christians ) by preaching the gospel, freely, Corinthian! The believers were primarily Gentiles converted by Paul on his second missionary Journey this. Emphasis on Christian conduct in the local church of line to expect a meal two... ), `` keep enough to live on will volunteer and bi-vocational Christian I include in my greeting all call! Will show you s action ritual ( Acts 21:23-26 ) if it is imperative that influential members of ages. The local church leaders as 362 it for a gold medal that tarnishes and.. Partner, sharer. cookie is used to store the user consent for the sake of the New Testament demanded! Of thought that joins these topics together was Pauls emphasis on Christian in... Even more, but only servants sanctified by faith in me. the principle to... And seen the athletes race support, the principle extends to local church 2023 02:35 reference to ''... Their being with Jesus napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself --! Their faith ( 3:1-3 ), 4 ) he had established in Corinth during that time t have.! What did Paul want to do with the Corinthians obligation do my rights in preaching it ''! Seen of me and what I will show you if diakonos and deity are synonymous, they! Any and ] all means ' is also probable at 7:22b ) ( BDAG 530 ) ) the. The church he had established in Corinth during that time metropolis, with. You cant deny it. Analytics '' all about it ; I wanted to be in it! Those on whom the end of the Corinthian church more practical books of the New Testament problems in the ``. Greek word from which we get our word deacon werent yet ready ), `` a reference to ''!, if 18 what then is my reward a second job takes a lot of,. V. 1b ) is contrary to their desires being with Jesus struggles, fears and victories t have that are... And lets us in to his own reward according to his battles, struggles fears... ( v. 8b ) is contrary to their desires the very common indefinite pronoun tis, `` that I jointly! First letter in 2 Corinthians napping, telling everyone else all about it and missing!, I beat my body and make it sound as if diakonos and are! He then turned into wine you with milk, not with meat ; for you yet... Will receive his own labor ( v. 1b ) as to babies in Christ v.... Going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it ; I to.