Bullet Point Bible - 1 Corinthians 9

Paul's Apostolic Authority

¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?² If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord.

Paul begins a defense of his conduct, specifically regarding his decision not to accept financial support from the Corinthians.
He asserts his freedom and apostleship using rhetorical questions, expecting affirmative answers.
Key qualifications for apostleship included having seen the resurrected Lord Jesus (1 Cor 9:1; cf. Acts 1:21-22).
Paul points to the Corinthian church itself ("you are my work in the Lord") as tangible evidence ("confirming sign" or "seal") of his legitimate apostleship.
This defense is necessary because some in Corinth were questioning his authority, possibly linking his refusal of support to a lack of apostolic standing.
The concept of "freedom" here relates to his rights as an apostle, which he will elaborate on.

The Right to Financial Support

³ This is my defense to those who examine me.⁴ Do we not have the right to financial support?⁵ Do we not have the right to the company of a believing wife, like the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?⁶ Or do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?⁷ Who ever serves in the army at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not consume its milk?⁸ Am I saying these things only on the basis of common sense, or does the law not say this as well?⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, " Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain ." God is not concerned here about oxen, is he?¹⁰ Or is he not surely speaking for our benefit? It was written for us, because the one plowing and threshing ought to work in hope of enjoying the harvest.¹¹ If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?¹² If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving?¹³ Don't you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings?¹⁴ In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

Paul explicitly states his "defense" (Greek: *apologia*) against critics (1 Cor 9:3).
He argues for the right of apostles (including himself) to receive material support ("eat and drink" implies financial provision).
He cites the example of other apostles, the Lord's brothers (like James), and Cephas (Peter), who traveled with wives and received support.
Paul highlights that he and Barnabas uniquely seemed expected to forgo this right, supporting themselves through manual labor (cf. Acts 18:3).
He uses analogies from secular life (soldier, farmer, shepherd) to show that workers deserve compensation (1 Cor 9:7).
Paul grounds his argument not just in common practice but also in Scripture, quoting Deuteronomy 25:4 regarding the ox (1 Cor 9:9).
He interprets the Mosaic Law principle ("{{Do not muzzle an ox}}") allegorically, applying it to the support of ministers (1 Cor 9:9-10). God's concern extends beyond oxen to human laborers in His service.
The argument moves from lesser (material seed) to greater (spiritual seed), suggesting those who provide spiritual benefit should receive material support (1 Cor 9:11).
He points out the Corinthians supported others, implying inconsistency in questioning Paul's right (1 Cor 9:12).
He draws a parallel with the Levitical priests supported by temple offerings (1 Cor 9:13).
Crucially, Paul states this right is based on a command from the Lord Jesus himself (1 Cor 9:14; cf. Matt 10:10, Luke 10:7).

Waiving Rights for the Gospel's Sake

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than-no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!¹⁷ For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward. But if I do it unwillingly, I am entrusted with a responsibility.¹⁸ What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

Despite establishing his clear right to support, Paul emphatically states he has *not* used this right with the Corinthians (1 Cor 9:15).
His motive for writing is not to solicit funds now; he would rather die than lose his "boast."
Paul's "boast" is not pride, but his specific joy and reason for satisfaction: preaching the gospel without charge.
Preaching the gospel itself is not his boast, as it's a divine commission he *must* fulfill ("compelled," "Woe to me if I do not preach") (1 Cor 9:16).
The distinction between voluntary and unwilling service (1 Cor 9:17) relates to motivation. Paul sees himself as a steward entrusted with the gospel.
His "reward" (Greek: *misthos*) is the privilege of offering the gospel freely, voluntarily renouncing his rights to avoid any potential obstacle or accusation of mercenary motives (1 Cor 9:18).
This demonstrates a principle of yielding personal rights for the greater good of the gospel's advancement.

Becoming All Things to All People

¹⁹ For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people.²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew to gain the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) to gain those under the law.²¹ To those free from the law I became like one free from the law (though I am not free from God's law but under the law of Christ) to gain those free from the law.²² To the weak I became weak in order to gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.²³ I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it.

Paul extends the principle of yielding rights, describing his missional strategy of contextualization.
Though "free from all" (not obligated to human customs or expectations), he voluntarily becomes a "slave to all" (adapts himself) to win people for Christ (1 Cor 9:19).
He adapted his approach based on his audience: acting like a Jew among Jews (respecting customs, e.g., Acts 16:3, 21:20-26) and like a Gentile ("free from the law") among Gentiles (1 Cor 9:20-21).
Crucially, Paul clarifies his freedom is not lawlessness; he remains "under the law of Christ" (1 Cor 9:21), meaning he never compromised core moral or theological principles.
"Under the law" refers to living according to Jewish ceremonial and cultural practices derived from the Mosaic Law.
"Free from the law" refers to Gentiles not bound by these specific Jewish regulations.
He adapted even to the "weak" (perhaps those with overly sensitive consciences, cf. 1 Cor 8), showing empathy to win them (1 Cor 9:22).
The famous summary "I have become all things to all people" encapsulates this adaptive strategy (1 Cor 9:22).
The ultimate goal is salvation: "that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22).
His motivation is singular: "for the sake of the gospel," desiring to share in its blessings (eternal life, fellowship with God) (1 Cor 9:23).

Discipline for an Imperishable Prize

²⁴ Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.²⁵ Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.²⁶ So I do not run uncertainly or box like one who hits only air.²⁷ Instead I subdue my body and make it my slave, so that after preaching to others I myself will not be disqualified.

Paul shifts to an athletic metaphor, likely referencing the famous Isthmian Games held near Corinth.
He urges the Corinthians, like runners, to strive purposefully for the ultimate prize (1 Cor 9:24).
Athletes exercise rigorous "self-control" (Greek: *enkrateia*) for a temporary, "perishable crown" (a wreath of celery or pine) (1 Cor 9:25).
Christians should show even greater discipline because their prize is "imperishable" (eternal life and reward) (1 Cor 9:25).
Paul applies this personally: he runs with purpose ("not uncertainly") and fights effectively ("not... hits only air"), indicating focused effort (1 Cor 9:26).
"I subdue my body and make it my slave" refers to mastering fleshly desires and impulses that could hinder his ministry and spiritual life (1 Cor 9:27). This connects back to waiving his rights – a form of self-discipline.
The sobering warning is against being "disqualified" (Greek: *adokimos*), meaning failing the test or being rejected after calling others to the race. This likely refers to losing one's ministerial reward or effectiveness, though some see implications for salvation itself.
This section serves as a call to disciplined Christian living, essential for both personal perseverance and effective ministry.
The theme connects the apostle's personal discipline (waiving rights, adapting methods) with the discipline required of all believers.

The Bullet Point Bible

1 Corinthians 9