BACKGROUND:
At the end of chapter 8, Paul said that he would gladly give up his right to eat meat if that would help a weaker believer not to stumble. What follows in this chapter is Paul’s defense of his apostleship and of his freedom to exercise, or not to exercise, his rights as a believer who is free in Christ.
In defending his apostleship, Paul reestablished his authority for some in Corinth who doubted that they should listen to him. So Paul presented his credentials as an apostle. In Greek, these four questions are rhetorical—they expect a “yes” answer.
Only a small group of believers were “apostles.” In order to have the authority of an apostle, the person had to show the following three evidences: (1) A commission directly from Jesus Christ in the sight of witnesses, or confirmed by others. To qualify as a true “apostle,” a person had to have personally seen the Lord Jesus after his resurrection. For Paul, this occurred in Acts 9:3-18 (1 Corinthians 15:8). (2) The ability to perform signs, wonders, and mighty acts to confirm their message (Acts 13:9-12; 2 Corinthians 12:12). (3) Evidence of a successful ministry (Acts 18:1-17). Such credentials make the advice he gives in this letter more persuasive.
Because Paul and Barnabas had refrained from taking money from the churches, some were saying that they were not apostles. They questioned whether Paul had the same authority as other apostles because they looked down on him for working with his hands. Paul asserted that he and Barnabas had the authority of apostles, even though they did not take advantage of the rights they deserved.
Paul’s argument held the authority of Scripture. The law of Moses states, in Deuteronomy 25:4, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” In ancient times, grain was often “threshed” by placing sheaves on a hard surface and then allowing oxen to drag something heavy back and forth across it. The law said that the oxen should be allowed to eat some of the grain while they worked. This law was not made to protect oxen but to illustrate a point. God’s people were to care for their animals by allowing oxen to eat while they worked, but this applied to people as well. Just as farm workers who plow fields and thresh the grain expect a share of the harvest, Christian workers should be paid by those they serve.
Paul had not demanded support, however; he and Barnabas had worked to earn their own living and not be a burden to the church. Paul was not required to work this way, but he chose to put up with anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ. He put up with the hardships of “working two jobs” so that no pagan inquiring about Christianity would be put off by the financial obligation of supporting a missionary.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
You have to love Paul's heart. Whatever it took to reach people for Christ, he would do. Whatever hardship he had to endure, it was worth it for the advancement of the Gospel. Would to God that we would know that kind of spiritual maturity. Would to God that we would pay any price, follow in obedience whatever the cost to reach people for Christ. Oh Lord, break us. Break our heart with the things that break your heart. Break our heart for those who don't know you. Give us courage and boldness to share our faith. Give us compassion for all.
Lord, today, draw people to COV. Draw them to hear the message and then Oh Lord draw them, compel them to live out today's message about serving. Father, drive the self-centerdness and selfishness from my life.
Ephesians 4:15 says, “God wants us to grow up…like Christ in everything”. Romans 8:29 says, “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him - and He knew who would – should become like His Son...” From the very beginning this has been God plan for us – to become Christ Like! Make me, make us more like Christ, day by day.
Anytime, anyplace, whatever the cost I will serve you Lord. Raise up an army of believers who would have that same heart.
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