1 CORINTHIANS LESSON 14


     We will begin this lesson in I Corinthians 9:13 "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?"

     Paul knew the Mosaic law. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees.
The high priest and his family lived of the offerings in the temple.
The Levitical tribe had no land allotment. They were to share with the
altar the offerings made thereon.

     I Corinthians 9:14 "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they
which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."

     If a person is a full time minister of the gospel, there is no
time left to make a living at another job. Some of the offerings made
by the people to the church should be used for a salary for the
minister of the church. Usually a board is set up, and they determine
what the church can afford to pay the minister.

     I Corinthians 9:15 "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."

     Strangely enough, this instruction that Paul had given the church
on taking care of their minister was not to receive for himself, but
that they might take care of those after him who came to minister.
Paul was very independent, and did not want it said that he had gone
into this as an avocation. He was not in the ministry for the benefits
that he might gain. He was called by the Lord Jesus Christ as a
minister. He was compelled to do this. His desire was to do the will
of the Lord. Paul learned to be abased and to abound. He did not let
anything keep him from carrying the message God had given him. Paul
was proud that he did not have to depend on sustenance from those he
had converted to Christianity. Paul would rather die, than feel that
he won them to the Lord to support him. Paul did not glory in himself,
but in the call of God on his life that he fulfilled.

     I Corinthians 9:16 "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!"

     Paul tells them here that he has nothing to brag about. As we
said Paul was compelled to preach to everyone who would listen. The
moment he encountered thee great Light {Jesus Christ}, Paul's entire
life was changed. He had been zealous to capture the Christians and
imprison them, because he thought he was doing God's will. Now he
knows that he is doing God's will, and he is even more zealous to tell
of Jesus. Paul wanted to please God all the time, he was just not
fully informed. That is the way with many people today that are off in
error. They are just not fully informed. They want to do the will of
God, they just do not know what His will is for their lives. After
Paul became fully informed, he used the rest of his life to preach the
good news of Jesus Christ. Paul was not caught up in boasting, but in
thanksgiving that he had learned the truth.

     I Corinthians 9:17 "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."

     Paul was called of God to carry this message. He had a choice to
do it or not. He willingly chose to carry this message of Christ.
Since he followed the will of God, there will be a great reward
awaiting him in heaven. "Dispensation", in the verse above, means
administration. The gospel, then, was given to him to administer.

     I Corinthians 9:18 "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."

     As we said in a previous lesson, Paul decided to work as a
tentmaker to make his own way, so he could give freely to all who
would receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explains that great
power had been given unto him pertaining to the gospel. He refused to
use that power to further himself. His reward is the satisfaction of
knowing that he has freely given the gospel to all who will receive
it.

     I Corinthians 9:19 "For though I be free from all [men], yet have
I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."

     Paul explains that he is a free man. Many in that time element
were slaves. Paul is saying that he owes no man anything. He serves
others by his own choice, not from necessity. Through serving others,
Paul has led many to the knowledge of Christ.

     I Corinthians 9:20 "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;"

     This, and the verses following, explain a lot of the things that
most do not understand about Paul. Paul brought the gospel message to
each group in a different way. He did not alter their customs, but
brought the gospel message to each within their customs. When Paul was
ministering to Jews, he was quick to remind them that he was a Jew. He
would tell them that he was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He even went
so far as to sacrifice with them on occasion. He even took a Nazarite
vow long after the church had agreed this was not for Christians. He
did it to get his foot in the door to minister to these Jews. He kept
the law, to impress those who were under the law, that he was not
trying to do away with the law. He wanted, at any cost, to be allowed
to tell them of Jesus {their Messiah}.

     I Corinthians 9:21 "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."

     He proclaimed grace through the sacrifice of Jesus, when he was
speaking to non-Jews. To these people, he was a Christian and nothing
more. He tried to reach each group where they were.

     I Corinthians 9:22 "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."

     To understand Paul and his writings, this is the most important
thing to learn. Many of the things Paul did and taught were for a
certain group, and not to be taken as over-all doctrine. A good
example is, after Paul was teaching and preaching, he took a Nazarite
vow, grew his hair long, and later cut it, and took it to the temple.
If everything he taught is for everyone, then we must do that, also.
Paul, also, taught that it was better to stay single in the work of
the Lord.  He never married. You see everything he taught was very
true for someone, but it was not necessarily to be practiced by all.
As you can see from the verse above, Paul ministered to people at
their level of understanding. He did not try to stop them from being
weak, he just became weak with them. He became whatever was necessary
to reach them at their level. After he got his foot in the door, then
he gave them the gospel message.

     I Corinthians 9:23 "And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I
might be partaker thereof with [you]."

     Paul explains that his goal is to further the gospel. Whatever it
takes for Paul to be allowed to bring the gospel message, is what he
is doing. Paul's aim is to take the gospel message to everyone.

     I Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run
all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

     Racing was very prominent in Corinth in those days. The races
were very similar to what is done in the Olympics today. Again, Paul
is giving an example that they will understand. Life is very much like
a race. We are all trying to make it to the finish line. Christianity
is a race that is run on a narrow path. We are to look straight ahead
to the Lord. Our path is lit by the Light of Jesus. We must never
stop, until the end is reached. We must not wander off the track and
lose our way. We must never turn back. This race is for everlasting
life.  The prize that the Christian wins is everlasting life with the
Lord Jesus. We must run and not be weary.

     I Corinthians 9:25 "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."

     These young men that ran in the physical race took really good
care of their bodies. They did not indulge in strong drink, or in
anything else that might cause them not to be strong. They disciplined
their lives, so their body would be in good condition to run.
Christians must live disciplined lives, as well. We must not allow
ourselves to get involved in worldly things. The very worst thing a
Christian can do, is to eat or drink anything that will alter their
ability to think. Christians must be totally free of drugs and
alcohol, so they will be able to think clearly enough to make correct
decisions.

     I Corinthians 9:26 "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air:"

     Paul is saying, you don't run just to be running, but to finish
the race. Paul is saying, he is not preaching just to hear himself
speak, but to get results. There must be a goal in ministering, just
as there is a finish line in a race. "Beating the air" just means
action in futility.

     I Corinthians 9:27 "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."

     Paul is saying here, that he practices what he preaches. He
disciplines himself to the teachings of the Bible. He not only
preaches the gospel, but lives the gospel, as well. He does not allow
his body to rule his spirit. He disciplines himself, so that he will
not be a hypocrite when he is teaching others. Paul lives the
Christian life before all that he ministers to.




























                      1 Corinthians 14 Questions

1.  What do the ministers live of?
2.  Why did Paul know the Mosaic law so well?
3.  What tribe had no land allotment?
4.  They which preach the gospel should live of the _________.
5.  Why had Paul instructed them about giving?
6.  Paul said, he would rather die than do what?
7.  Paul's ministry was not an avocation, but a _____.
8.  Quote 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 16.
9.  What is Paul saying in this?
10. Why are many in error today in their belief?
11. Paul was not caught up in boasting, but in ____________.
12. Was it within Paul's power to refuse his call to preach?
13. What type salary did Paul receive for his work?
14. What is Paul's reward?
15. Verse 19 says that Paul has made himself what?
16. What was Paul to the Jews?
17. Why had he done this?
18. What was the extreme measure that Paul went to, to prove to the
    Jews that he was one of them?
19. What did Paul become, when he was speaking to non-Jews?
20. Why must every little thing that Paul did and said not be taken
    for general doctrine?
21. Quote 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 22.
22. Why did Paul do this?
23. Paul's goal was to further the _______.
24. What is Paul really speaking of, when he speaks of running a race?
25. Describe the race of the Christian.
26. What one thing was needed to be able to run a good race?
27. What is about the worst thing a Christian can do?
28. What is meant by "beating the air"?
29. Paul not only preaches the gospel, but ______ the gospel, as well.