New Life Bible Fellowship Church
7/5/2026

      • Psalm 33:8–12KJV1900

  • To God Be the Glory
  • Here is Love, Vast as the Ocean

      • Proverbs 26:17–28KJV1900

  • Doxology

  • Introduction:

    We are currently a mini series within the big series of 1 Corinthians, in chapters 8-10, we are dealing with freedom and love, or what has been labeled, “Christian Liberties”, and their uses and abuses. Remember how we left off last week with Paul’s declaration from 1 Corinthians 8:13:
    "I will never eat meat again, lest I make my brother stumble."
    With those words, Paul concluded his teaching on idol food in chapter 8. He called the Corinthians to limit their freedom for the sake of weaker brothers. Knowledge says, "I can eat." Love asks, "Should I?"
    But we can imagine a Corinthian objecting: "Easy for you to say, Paul. You're an apostle. You have spiritual authority. You can afford to give things up. But what about our rights? What about our freedoms? Are we supposed to surrender everything?"
    Chapter 9 is Paul's answer—and it is devastating. Far from claiming special privilege, Paul demonstrates that he has surrendered more rights than they ever will. If anyone had legitimate claims, it was Paul. And he gave them all up.
    Let's open our Bibles to 1 Corinthians 9:1.

    Text: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18

    1 Corinthians 9:1–18 ESV
    1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 This is my defense to those who would examine me. 4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? 8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

    Main Idea: Because freedom in Christ and love for Christ and others must work hand in hand, Paul demonstrates love by surrendering legitimate apostolic rights—including financial support—for the sake of the gospel.

    Background:

    1. The Function of Chapter 9 in Paul's Argument

    Chapter 9 is not a digression. It is the heart of Paul's argument about idol food (chapters 8-10). The structure is:
    Chapter 8: The principle—love limits liberty for the sake of the weak
    Chapter 9: The example—Paul's own surrender of apostolic rights
    Chapter 10: The warning—the danger of idolatry and the proper use of freedom
    Paul is not merely theorizing about surrendered rights; he is demonstrating what it looks like in his own life. He practices what he preaches.

    2. Challenges to Paul's Apostleship

    Behind chapter 9 lies an ongoing challenge to Paul's apostolic authority. Some in Corinth apparently questioned:
    His legitimacy: Was Paul really an apostle? He was not one of the Twelve.
    His practice: Why didn't Paul accept financial support like other apostles? Was he insecure about his authority?
    Paul's defense of his apostleship (vv. 1-3) addresses these challenges. But he uses the defense to make a larger point: he has surrendered his rights voluntarily, for the sake of the gospel.

    I. Paul's Apostolic Rights (vv. 1-6)

    Paul begins with a series of rhetorical questions, four of which are in the first verse:
    1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
    Am I not free? (ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros) — "Free") - Paul begins with freedom—the theme of chapter 8. He is free. He has rights. The rhetorical question expects a "Yes!"
    Am I not an apostle? (ἀπόστολος (apostolos) — "Apostle / Sent one") - Paul's apostleship was questioned. He was not one of the Twelve. He had persecuted the church. But he claims the title emphatically. Yes, he is an apostle—sent by Christ, commissioned for the gospel. Remember 1 Cor 1:1
    1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV
    1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
    Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? (ὁράω (horaō) — "To see") - The perfect tense indicates a past event with continuing significance: Yes, Paul saw the risen Lord (on the Damascus road, Acts 9), and that encounter defines him still. This is the essential apostolic qualification—being a witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:21-22; 1 Cor 15:8).
    Acts 1:21–22 ESV
    21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
    1 Corinthians 15:8 ESV
    8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
    Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? (τὸ ἔργον μου (to ergon mou) — "My work / My workmanship”) - Yes, the Corinthians themselves are proof of Paul’s apostleship. He founded their church. They are his workmanship—his apostolic fruit.
    The Logic of Verse 1 - Paul establishes his apostolic credentials through four rhetorical questions, each expecting "Yes!":
    He is free; He is an apostle; He has seen the risen Lord; The Corinthians are his apostolic work
    Therefore, He has every right to claim apostolic privileges.
    2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
    If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you (ἀλλά γε (alla ge) — "But at least / Yet certainly") - Even if others doubt, the Corinthians cannot. Paul founded their church. His apostleship to them is undeniable.
    for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. (σφραγίς (sphragis) — "Seal") - A seal authenticated a document or marked ownership. The Corinthians are the seal—the authentication—of Paul's apostleship. Their very existence as a church validates his ministry.
    The Logic of Verse 2 - Paul's apostleship may be disputed elsewhere, but not in Corinth. They are the living proof. They are his seal, his authentication, his credentials in the Lord.
    3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.
    ἀπολογία (apologia) — "Defense / Answer" - The word refers to a formal defense—a legal or rhetorical response to accusations. Paul is defending his apostleship.
    ἀνακρίνω (anakrinō) — "To examine / To investigate / To judge" - Some were examining Paul—scrutinizing, judging, questioning his credentials and practices.
    The Logic of Verse 3 - This verse is transitional. Paul signals that what follows (vv. 4-18) is his defense—his answer to those who question him. But his "defense" will turn into an example of surrendered rights.
    Having reasserted his apostleship in verses 1–2, Paul commences his “defense” to the criticisms of those who “examine” him. Verses 1–2 establish who Paul is (an apostle), while verses 4–18 defend what he does (refusing support).
    We begin again with three more rhetorical questions:
    4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
    4 Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
    ἐξουσία (exousia) — "Right / Authority / Power" - This key word appears repeatedly in this passage. Paul has legitimate ἐξουσία—apostolic rights. The double negative (μὴ οὐκ) expects a strong affirmative: "Yes, we do have this right!"
    φαγεῖν καὶ πεῖν (phagein kai pein) — "To eat and drink" - The right to be fed at the church's expense. Apostles should not have to provide their own meals while ministering.
    5a Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife (ἀδελφὴ γυνή (adelphē gynē) — "A sister wife / A believing wife") - The right to marry and to bring one's wife along on apostolic journeys—with the churches providing for both.
    5bas do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
    οἱ λοιποὶ ἀπόστολοι (hoi loipoi apostoloi) — "The other apostles" - The other apostles exercised these rights. They traveled with their wives at church expense.
    οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ κυρίου (hoi adelphoi tou kyriou) — "The brothers of the Lord" - Jesus's brothers—James, Joses, Simon, Judas (Matt 13:55)—were apparently involved in itinerant ministry and accepted support.
    Κηφᾶς (Kēphas) — "Cephas / Peter" - Peter is singled out, perhaps because he was well-known to the Corinthians or because he was the most prominent example. Peter was married (Mark 1:30) and traveled with his wife.
    6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?
    Βαρναβᾶς (Barnabas) - Paul's former ministry partner (Acts 13-15). Apparently Barnabas also practiced self-support. They shared this unusual practice.
    Acts 18:1–3 ESV
    1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
    μὴ ἐργάζεσθαι (mē ergazesthai) — "Not to work / To refrain from working" - The right to refrain from manual labor—to devote oneself fully to ministry while being supported by others.
    The Logic of Verses 4-6: Paul lists three apostolic rights:
    The right to eat and drink at church expense
    The right to take along a believing wife (supported by the church)
    The right to refrain from working for a living
    Other apostles, the Lord's brothers, and Peter all exercised these rights. Are Paul and Barnabas the only ones without them? The answer is no—they have the rights but chose not to use them.

    II. The Case for Financial Support (vv. 7-14)

    7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? - Three Common-Sense Analogies
    Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? (στρατεύομαι (strateuomai) — "To serve as a soldier / To do military service") - Soldiers are paid by those they serve. No one expects a soldier to fund his own service.
    Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? (ἀμπελών (ampelōn) — "Vineyard") - The one who plants a vineyard expects to eat its grapes. Labor deserves reward.
    who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? (ποιμαίνω (poimainō) — "To shepherd / To tend") - The shepherd drinks from the flock's milk. Those who care for animals share in their produce.
    In every case, the worker shares in the fruit of his labor. The principle is universal.
    8 Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? (κατὰ ἄνθρωπον (kata anthrōpon) — "According to man / On human authority") - Paul is not merely making a human argument. Scripture confirms the principle.
    9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
    κημόω (kēmoō) — "To muzzle" - Deuteronomy 25:4 forbade muzzling an ox while it was treading grain. The animal should eat while it works.
    μὴ τῶν βοῶν μέλει τῷ θεῷ (mē tōn boōn melei tō theō) — "Is it for oxen that God is concerned?" - The rhetorical question expects "No—not primarily." God's concern extends beyond livestock to workers generally.
    10 Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
    ἐπ' ἐλπίδι (ep' elpidi) — "In hope" - The worker labors with an expectation of reward. The plowman plows hoping to eat. The thresher threshes hoping to share the crop.
    μετέχω (metechō) — "To share / To partake" - The worker has a right to share in the produce of his labor.
    So here now is the point as Paul gets personal…
    11 If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
    τὰ πνευματικά (ta pneumatika) — "Spiritual things" - The gospel, teaching, apostolic ministry—things of eternal value.
    τὰ σαρκικά (ta sarkika) — "Material/fleshly things" - Physical provision—food, money, support for bodily needs.
    The Logic - Paul sowed spiritual things among them (infinitely valuable). Is it unreasonable for him to reap material things (of lesser value)? Of course not. The greater deserves the lesser.
    12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.
    12aIf others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? (ἄλλοι (alloi) — "Others") - Other teachers or ministers in Corinth apparently did accept support. If they have this right, Paul—who founded the church—has it even more.
    The conclusion is overwhelming: Paul has every right to financial support. But now he pivots…
    12bNevertheless, we have not made use of this right, (χράομαι (chraomai) — "To use / To make use of") - Paul had the right. He did not use it. The aorist looks back over his ministry in Corinth: consistently, he refused support.
    but we endure anything (στέγω (stegō) — "To cover / To bear / To endure") - Paul endures all things—hardship, manual labor, deprivation—rather than use his right to support.
    rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. (ἐγκοπή (enkopē) — "Hindrance / Obstacle / Cutting in") - Originally a military term for cutting a road to impede an enemy. Paul will not put any obstacle in the gospel's path.
    The Logic of Verse 12b
    Here is the pivot. After establishing his rights beyond dispute, Paul says: "We did not use this right."
    Why? To avoid any hindrance to the gospel. Paul would rather endure anything than give someone an excuse to reject Christ.
    This is the model for the Corinthians. They have the right to eat idol food (chapter 8). But love for weaker brothers should lead them to surrender that right—just as Paul surrenders his.
    Paul continues to drill down…using an example from the Old Testament law and the service of the Levites…
    13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?
    Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple (τὰ ἱερά (ta hiera) — "Sacred things / Temple duties") - This could refer to Jewish temple service. Those who served in temples ate from temple provisions.
    those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings (θυσιαστήριον (thysiastērion) — "Altar") - The altar where sacrifices were offered. Priests who served at the altar received portions of the sacrifices.
    Now Paul moves to the New Testament…
    14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.
    διατάσσω (diatassō) — "To command / To order / To arrange" - This is a direct command from the Lord Jesus. Paul is citing Jesus's teaching (Matt 10:10; Luke 10:7): workers deserve their wages; those who preach should be supported by those who hear.
    Matthew 10:9–10 ESV
    9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
    ἐκ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου ζῆν (ek tou euangeliou zēn) — "To live from the gospel" - Gospel preachers should derive their livelihood from their gospel ministry.
    The Logic of Verses 13-14 - Paul adds two more arguments:
    Temple analogy: Temple workers eat from temple provisions—a universal principle in religious service
    The Lord's command: Jesus Himself commanded that preachers be supported
    This is the climax of Paul's case. It is not merely good practice or common sense—it is divine command. The Lord ordered this.
    And yet Paul did not obey? No—Paul chose to waive a right that the Lord gave him. That is the stunning point.

    III. Paul's Reason for Not Using Rights (vv. 15-18)

    15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
    But I have made no use of any of these rights
    κέχρημαι (kechrēmai) — "I have used" - The perfect tense emphasizes the ongoing result: Paul has not used these rights, and he still has not. His practice continues.
    οὐδενὶ τούτων (oudeni toutōn) — "None of these" - Emphatic: not a single one of these rights. Paul has used none of them.
    nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. (The Clarification) - Paul is not writing to get support now. He is not hinting for money. His argument is not a fundraising appeal.
    For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
    καύχημα (kauchēma) — "Boast / Ground for boasting" - Paul's boast is his self-support—his freedom to preach without charge. This is his unique contribution, his special offering.
    Why is Paul’s boasting acceptable? Paul saw his own boasting as “boasting of the Lord,” while the Corinthians’ boasting involved human beings and human gifts. Proper boasting is always grounded in God’s grace-filled, preemptive working and is therefore always fundamentally responsive; it points more to God than to oneself. Paul’s boast in his self-support ultimately redirects glory to God’s empowering grace, not to his own willpower or virtue.
    κενόω (kenoō) — "To empty / To make void" - No one will take this from him. No one will rob him of this boast. He would rather die than accept payment and lose his distinctive practice.
    The Logic of Verse 15 - Paul's passion overflows. He has not used these rights. He is not writing to change that. He would rather die than lose his boast of preaching free of charge. This is not stubborn pride but joyful commitment.
    16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
    For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting (εὐαγγελίζομαι (euangelizomai) — "To preach the gospel / To announce good news”) - Preaching the gospel is Paul's calling. But simply preaching gives him no ground for boasting.
    For necessity is laid upon me
    ἀνάγκη (anankē) — "Necessity / Compulsion" - Paul must preach. He has no choice. Christ called him; he cannot refuse.
    ἐπίκειμαι (epikeimai) — "To lie upon / To press upon" - The necessity presses upon him like a weight. He is under compulsion.
    Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (οὐαί (ouai) — "Woe!") - A cry of distress or judgment. If Paul does not preach, he is under divine judgment. This is not optional.
    The Logic of Verse 16
    Preaching itself is not Paul's boast. He must preach—necessity compels him. Woe to him if he does not! This is his calling, his commission, his inescapable obligation.
    So what is his boast? Not preaching (which is required) but preaching free of charge (which is voluntary). The voluntary element—the surrender of rights—is his boast.
    17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
    For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward
    ἑκών (hekōn) — "Willingly / Voluntarily" - If Paul chose this ministry voluntarily (without divine compulsion), he would have a wage—like a hired worker.
    μισθός (misthos) — "Wage / Reward" - The laborer deserves his wage.
    but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship
    ἄκων (akōn) — "Unwillingly / Not by choice" - Paul did not choose apostleship voluntarily. He was seized by Christ on the Damascus road. He is under compulsion.
    οἰκονομία (oikonomia) — "Stewardship / Administration" - A steward manages another's property. Paul is a steward of the gospel—entrusted with a message he must deliver.
    πιστεύω (pisteuō) — "To entrust" (passive: "to be entrusted with") - The perfect passive indicates completed action with ongoing significance: Paul has been entrusted and remains entrusted.
    The Logic of Verse 17 - Paul distinguishes two scenarios:
    Voluntary work: Deserves a wage
    Compulsory stewardship: No wage; simply faithful discharge of duty
    Paul is in the second category. He did not volunteer; he was conscripted. He is a steward under obligation. Preaching is not his choice to make—it is his duty to fulfill.
    So where is his reward?
    18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
    What then is my reward? (The Question) - If preaching is required and deserves no special credit, what is Paul's reward?
    That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge
    ἀδάπανος (adapanos) — "Free of charge / Without cost" - This rare adjective (α-privative + δαπάνη, "expense") describes Paul's gospel presentation: it costs the hearers nothing.
    θήσω (thēsō) — "I will make / I will present / I will render" - Paul makes the gospel free of charge. This is his voluntary contribution—the thing beyond requirement.
    so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. (καταχράομαι (katachraomai) — "To make full use of / To use to the full") - Paul has the right. He does not use it fully. He restrains himself.
    The Logic of Verse 18
    Paul's reward is paradoxical: his reward is not receiving a reward. His pay is not getting paid. His boast is that no one can accuse him of preaching for money.
    The freedom to preach freely—that is Paul's joy, his boast, his reward.
    The Final Analysis: The deeper principle addresses the Corinthians’ situation: Christian freedom isn’t about choosing whether to serve but about how one serves. Paul models this by choosing to forgo financial rights not because he must, but because love demands it. Similarly, the Corinthians must recognize that their freedom in Christ should be exercised willingly for others’ benefit rather than as mere obligation. Stewardship—faithful management of what God has entrusted—remains non-negotiable; the reward comes through willing, joyful surrender of one’s rights.

    So What?

    Do we understand that our rights or freedoms are not the highest value, and that we must consider any obstacles our freedom may create?
    Christians in our culture often insist on their rights. But Paul shows that having a right does not mean exercising it. Love, gospel witness, and care for others can lead us to voluntarily limit our freedom.
    Paul surrendered his right to support because accepting it might hinder the gospel. Ask: Does my exercise of freedom create obstacles—for unbelievers or for weaker believers? If so, consider surrender.
    Do we understand that we are to find our reward in giving, not getting, thus recognizing true stewardship?
    Paul's reward was not payment but the freedom to preach free of charge. The deepest joy often comes not from receiving what we deserve but from giving beyond what is required.
    Paul saw himself as a steward—entrusted with a message he must deliver. We too are stewards of the gospel. Faithfulness, not personal benefit, is our calling.
    Do we understand that scripture was written for our obedience and that we must let the apostolic example shape our choices, remembering the phrase, “woe to us if we do not obey our calling”?
    Paul offered himself as a model. When facing decisions about freedom and rights, ask: What would Paul do? More importantly: What did Paul do? He surrendered for the sake of others.
    Some aspects of Christian life are compulsory. We do not get credit for doing what we must do. The question is: What will we do beyond the minimum? What voluntary sacrifices will we make for Christ?

      • 1 Corinthians 9:1–18ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:1ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 1:1ESV

      • Acts 1:21–22ESV

      • Acts 1:21–22ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 15:8ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:2ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:3ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:4ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:5ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:6ESV

      • Acts 18:1–3ESV

      • Acts 18:1–3ESV

      • Acts 18:1–3ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:7ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:8ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:9ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:10ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:11ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:12ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:13ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:14ESV

      • Matthew 10:9–10ESV

      • Matthew 10:9–10ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:15ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:16ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:17ESV

      • 1 Corinthians 9:18ESV

  • Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
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