1 Corinthians 9:15-18 says...
Today's verses 1 Corinthians 9:15-18, which read,
v.15 - But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one.
The Christians in Corinth have been stingy with the resources that God has given them to turn around and support those who are spiritually feeding them. Paul is pointing out from Scripture that this action is wrong. Even though Paul did not ask for any support, he could have and had Biblical support to do so. He chose not to but it is not that he didn't preach and teach that they were to follow this Biblical principle.
Paul starts this paragraph by saying that he is not writing this to now get compensation for what he did. If that was the case, then Paul's speaking about what he did and why he did it would make him out to be a hypocrite. He would rather die than be a hypocrite. Paul was able to come without support for the sake of starting a new work in the city of Corinth and all glory goes to God and that is Paul's boast.
v.16 - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.
The boast that Paul has is not personal but a boast in the Lord. The gospel is not about Paul and therefore he has nothing to boast of personally. The reason he came to them was not of his own doing. Paul was under compulsion or the call of God to preach the gospel, supported by man or not supported by man. If Paul does not preach the gospel, then God's rebuke is on Paul for not following the command to him.
Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to know that he would have come to them if he would be supported financially by them and if he wouldn't be supported financially by them. He gives all glory to God that he was able to come without that support but now is telling them that they need to financially support others for the cause of Christ.
v.17 - For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
God called Paul to go. If it was Paul's idea to go to the city of Corinth and preach the gospel then he could take the credit and get the reward for having the idea, but it was not Paul's idea rather God called Paul to go. All that Paul can claim is that he obeyed what God called him to do. He was a steward to the call of God on his life.
v.18 - What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Paul was in a position by God to offer them the gospel not needing financial support and showing something different than the false teachers of the day that were requiring payment for "new insight." It reminds me of the infomercials that lead you on about something you don't have and it is so great but you have to pay for it. The gospel is not for sale. The gospel is free.
I think the whole point here is that the gospel is free and we are to support the spread of the gospel so those who are hearing the gospel are given it freely. The hearers of the gospel are not hindered by the idea that they have to pay something to get it. Now those who accepted the gospel message of Jesus Christ turn around and support that message getting out to others. God commands us to use part of the resources that He has provided us to use for the spread of the gospel locally and around the world. The spread of the Gospel is that important.
"Lord, while the gospel message is freely given because You freely gave Your life, may we as Christians support that gospel message getting out. May we follow Your command to go and to also support the great commission given to the church. May we not get so wrapped up in the things of this world that we choke out the opportunity to give greatly to the cause of You. Someone coming to see You for who You are and answering Your call is the most worthy thing we could give support to. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.15 - But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one.
The Christians in Corinth have been stingy with the resources that God has given them to turn around and support those who are spiritually feeding them. Paul is pointing out from Scripture that this action is wrong. Even though Paul did not ask for any support, he could have and had Biblical support to do so. He chose not to but it is not that he didn't preach and teach that they were to follow this Biblical principle.
Paul starts this paragraph by saying that he is not writing this to now get compensation for what he did. If that was the case, then Paul's speaking about what he did and why he did it would make him out to be a hypocrite. He would rather die than be a hypocrite. Paul was able to come without support for the sake of starting a new work in the city of Corinth and all glory goes to God and that is Paul's boast.
v.16 - For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.
The boast that Paul has is not personal but a boast in the Lord. The gospel is not about Paul and therefore he has nothing to boast of personally. The reason he came to them was not of his own doing. Paul was under compulsion or the call of God to preach the gospel, supported by man or not supported by man. If Paul does not preach the gospel, then God's rebuke is on Paul for not following the command to him.
Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to know that he would have come to them if he would be supported financially by them and if he wouldn't be supported financially by them. He gives all glory to God that he was able to come without that support but now is telling them that they need to financially support others for the cause of Christ.
v.17 - For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
God called Paul to go. If it was Paul's idea to go to the city of Corinth and preach the gospel then he could take the credit and get the reward for having the idea, but it was not Paul's idea rather God called Paul to go. All that Paul can claim is that he obeyed what God called him to do. He was a steward to the call of God on his life.
v.18 - What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Paul was in a position by God to offer them the gospel not needing financial support and showing something different than the false teachers of the day that were requiring payment for "new insight." It reminds me of the infomercials that lead you on about something you don't have and it is so great but you have to pay for it. The gospel is not for sale. The gospel is free.
I think the whole point here is that the gospel is free and we are to support the spread of the gospel so those who are hearing the gospel are given it freely. The hearers of the gospel are not hindered by the idea that they have to pay something to get it. Now those who accepted the gospel message of Jesus Christ turn around and support that message getting out to others. God commands us to use part of the resources that He has provided us to use for the spread of the gospel locally and around the world. The spread of the Gospel is that important.
"Lord, while the gospel message is freely given because You freely gave Your life, may we as Christians support that gospel message getting out. May we follow Your command to go and to also support the great commission given to the church. May we not get so wrapped up in the things of this world that we choke out the opportunity to give greatly to the cause of You. Someone coming to see You for who You are and answering Your call is the most worthy thing we could give support to. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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