1 Corinthians 9:13-23: The Apostle's Right to Financial Support
In 1 Corinthians 9:13-23, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of his right to financial support from the Corinthian church. This passage is a continuation of Paul's defense of his apostleship and his response to the criticisms of the Corinthian church.
The Apostle's Right to Financial Support
In verses 13-14, Paul writes:
"Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?" (1 Corinthians 9:4-5, NKJV)
Paul is arguing that as an apostle, he has the right to financial support from the Corinthian church. He compares himself to other apostles, including Peter (Cephas), who received financial support from the churches they served.
The Apostle's Sacrifice
However, in verses 15-18, Paul explains that he has chosen not to exercise this right:
"But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die rather than that anyone should make my boasting void. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me." (1 Corinthians 9:15-17, NKJV)
Paul's decision to forgo financial support is not because he is not entitled to it, but because he wants to ensure that his motives are pure and that the gospel is preached without any strings attached. He chooses to sacrifice his own interests for the sake of the Gospel.
The Apostle's Motivation
In verses 19-23, Paul explains his motivation for preaching the Gospel:
"For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you." (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, NKJV)
Paul's motivation is to preach the Gospel to all people, regardless of their background or status. He is willing to adapt to different cultures and contexts in order to reach them with the message of salvation.
Conclusion
In 1 Corinthians 9:13-23, Paul asserts his right to financial support from the Corinthian church, but chooses to sacrifice this right in order to maintain the integrity of the Gospel. His motivation is to preach the Gospel to all people, regardless of their background or status. May we, like Paul, be willing to sacrifice our own interests for the sake of the Gospel, and may we be motivated by a desire to see all people come to know Jesus Christ.
