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Priscilla: I Corinthians 9:1-14
The Rights and Sacrifices of the Apostle Paul in His Service – Part 1

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer You my reflection on the Word of God in I Corinthians 9:1-14 about the rights and sacrifices of the Apostle Paul in his ministry.

1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

I understand verses 1 and 2 to mean that the Apostle Paul knew he was called by God to be an apostle of Christ, to preach the Gospel to all nations, and to establish local Churches. Therefore, he affirmed his apostolic ministry to the people of God in Corinth. Even if some did not believe he was their apostle because they believed in God but not through his preaching of the Gospel, he was still an apostle to the people of God in the Church in Corinth. This was because he had preached the Gospel to them, leading them to salvation and grafting them into Christ. This was the proof of his apostolic ministry to them.

3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

I understand verse 3 to mean that the Apostle Paul used the fact that he had preached the Gospel to the people of God in Corinth, leading them to salvation and being part of the Church, as a response to those who judged his apostolic ministry.

4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

I understand verses 4 and 5 to mean that the Apostle Paul raised the question about the right to eat and drink, referring to the fact that those who preached the Gospel had the right to receive support from the people of God for their physical needs. Therefore, he emphasized that he and Barnabas had the same rights as other apostles in their ministry, such as the Lord’s brothers and the Apostle Peter, who had taken their wives along and had been supported by the Church.

6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

I understand verses 6 and 7 to mean that the Apostle Paul was questioning whether he and Barnabas had to work to support themselves and had no right to receive support from the Church, unlike other apostles. He asked if anyone who enlisted in the army had to pay for their expenses, if anyone who planted a vineyard did not eat its fruit, or if anyone who tended a flock did not drink its milk. The answer is no; they do not have to pay for their expenses, and they are entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

I understand verses 8 and 9 to mean that the words of the Apostle Paul about the rights of the apostles are not just according to human standards, but also according to God’s law. God’s law does not allow an ox to be muzzled while it is treading out the grain so that it can eat the grain while working. If God cares for the oxen, a type of livestock, then why wouldn’t He care for the apostles who serve Him?

10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

I understand verses 10 and 11 to mean that the Apostle Paul believed that the meaning of the commandment to not muzzle an ox while it was treading out the grain applied to the apostles, including himself and Barnabas. Because they were working in the preaching of the Gospel, they deserved to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel, which sowed spiritual seeds and led to the people of God in Corinth believing and bearing spiritual fruit, a great accomplishment. Therefore, receiving material support from the people of God was a just and lawful act according to both God’s law and the world’s law.

12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

I understand verse 12 to mean that Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel to the people of Corinth and established the Church there. Therefore, Paul believed that he and Barnabas deserved material support from the people of God in Corinth more than anyone else. However, they did not use their position to force the Corinthian Church to provide for them. Instead, they were willing to suffer, work for their own living, and serve the Lord so as not to cause offense or hinder the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

I understand verses 13 and 14 to mean that in the Old Testament, the priests who served God were allowed to eat a portion of the offerings that were presented in the Temple and receive their shares in the tithes that the people offered to God. Nowadays, those who are appointed by God to preach the Gospel may receive material support from those who listen to the Gospel.

Father, I pray that You will grant me and all my brothers and sisters in the Church who are faithful and dedicated to serving You the ability to fulfill the good works that You have appointed for each of us, so that we may be worthy of receiving the reward from Christ, which is eternal glory. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
05/10/2023