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Timothy: I Corinthians 9:15-27
The Rights and Sacrifices of the Apostle Paul in His Service – Part 2

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I respectfully offer my praise and gratitude to You. You are the Almighty God and my Father in Heaven. Currently, there are some brothers and sisters in the Church who are struggling with their family lives. I ask for Your wisdom and ability to be bestowed upon each of them so that they can handle their problems according to Your Word. Please defend and protect those who are oppressed, and I thank You. I am happy to be in Your House, and I rejoice in serving You through various ministries in the Church. I thank Christ for renewing my strength every day, and I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me in meditating on the Eternal Living Word of God.

Dear Father, I would like to present my reflections on I Corinthians 9:15-27 as follows:

15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

Verse 15: Paul asserts that although he has the right, he does not use his authority to compel anyone to support him. Through his writings to the Church in Corinth, he did not demand that they support him. He boasts in the Lord, stating that he received the Gospel freely, so he preaches the Gospel freely, as taught by Christ Himself (Matthew 10:8). On the other hand, if he demands that someone support him, then he is showing that he does not have faith in the providence of God. Does it mean that if no one voluntarily supports his material needs, God will abandon him? If Paul speaks out, demanding that others provide for him, he no longer has any reason to boast in the Lord.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

Verse 16 and 17: Preaching the Gospel is the task that Christ entrusted to Paul after he willingly submitted to Him. Therefore, it is a necessary task that he must do. If he does not do it, he will bring hardship upon himself, including an accusation in his conscience, punishment from God, and a life lacking joy and blessings from God. If Paul preaches the Gospel with joy and all his heart, he will be rewarded by God. But if he does not preach with joy and all his heart, he is still responsible for that duty. One day, he will be held accountable before God.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Verse 18: The reward for Paul is that he rejoices when he sees himself doing what is right according to the Word of God, preaching the Gospel freely. Although he was entitled to be supported by the Gospel while preaching it, he did not exercise that right and demand that God’s people provide for him. Therefore, his preaching was truly free of charge.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

Verse 19: “Made myself servant unto all” is a voluntary service to serve others as a servant in preaching the Gospel to bring salvation to everyone. But it also includes serving in material aspects if necessary. Through humble service, Paul was able to lead many people to salvation.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

Verse 20: “Became as a Jew” means obeying the laws and customs of the Jewish people, as long as they do not contradict the Word of God. Through this, Paul could approach those who followed Judaism. “Them that are under the law” are those who follow Judaism, placing themselves under the judgment of God’s law, as written in the Old Testament. Becoming like one “under the law” means obeying all aspects of the law, such as circumcision, observing Old Testament festivals, and avoiding unclean foods as prescribed in the Old Testament, but not for the sake of salvation.

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

Verse 21: “Them that are without law” refers to those who do not live according to the law as recorded in the Old Testament, implying those who belong to foreign nations and do not follow Judaism. “As without law” means not practicing all the typical forms of the law, such as circumcision, observing Old Testament festivals, and abstaining from unclean foods, but it does not mean disobedience to the Ten Commandments of God. “Under the law to Christ” means completely obeying all teachings of Christ, including the observance of the Ten Commandments.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Verses 22 and 23: Weak people are those who have just believed in God, have not yet had a deep understanding of the Word of God, and their faith is still weak. Becoming weak means accepting the weakness of that person while presenting to them the truth of the Bible. “I am made all things to all men” means being friendly with everyone for the benefit of everyone, as long as it does not go against the Word of God. “I might by all means save some” means using every possible means to please God, even if it means enduring hardship and loss, to bring salvation to those who accept the Gospel. The value of a human soul is greater than the world, so no sacrifice is greater than saving the soul of a person. Paul acted on the impulse and power of the Gospel to become all things to all people. As a result, he became a co-participant in the Gospel, meaning someone who contributed to bringing salvation to many people.

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Verses 24 and 25: In every race during Paul’s time, there was only one prize for the winner. The person who wanted to win the prize had to train diligently before the race and give it their all on the day of the race. Paul compared the life of every child of God to a race. He advised them to discipline themselves in all things so that they could live a victorious life and receive the reward from God, which lasts forever, unlike the fading flower crowns of the world.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Verses 26 and 27: Paul was confident in running his race, certain that his life would be victorious with the results of his service to God. He also saw himself as someone who always hit the targets in the spiritual battle. He always made his physical body subject to his spirit, which means obeying the understanding of God’s Word in his spirit to live in accordance with God’s will. Paul knew very well that a teacher who had saved many people could still be lost if he or she was not faithful until death. This is also a biblical refutation of the doctrine of “Once Saved, Always Saved.” This verse is also a reminder for those who serve in positions in the Church to keep themselves faithful.

Father, please help me to always remember the teachings of the Eternal Living Word of God and to know how to apply wisdom to my life. Please use Your Word to sanctify me every day. I thank You, Father. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
05/11/2023