1 Corinthians - Division, Gifts, Marriage, Love, & Resurrection
Session 15 – Serving All Men
(1 Corinthians 9:15-27)

What happens in Corinth…stays in Corinth!

It was an ancient day “Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York” with all the immorality and debauchery of today.

Map of Greece / Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey):
Corinth
Olympia
Athens
Thessalonica
Philippi
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Sardis
Laodicea

(Halley’s Bible Handbook)
Corinth lies 56 miles west of Athens, on the narrow strip of land (isthmus) between the Peloponnesus and the Greek mainland. Ever since the Golden Age of Greece, Athens had been the leading cultural center, but under Roman rule, Corinth had been made the capital of the Roman province called Achaia (which also included Athens) and was the most important city in the country. Land traffic between the north and south had to pass the city, and much of the commerce between Rome and the East was brought to its harbors.

Paul visited Corinth for the first time on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow Christians and, like himself, tentmakers. During his stay of 1 ½ years he lived at their home. Paul later wrote two New Testament letters to that church and at least two other letters, now lost (1 Cor 5:9) and the severe letter (2 Cor 7:8). Paul also wrote the letter to the Romans while in Corinth (Romans 16:23).

(Chuck Missler – 1&2 Corinthians Commentary 1995)
Occasion of 1 Corinthians
Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church, a letter which apparently perished (1 Cor 5:9). (Some scholars believe it is preserved as 2 Cor 6:14-7:1.) This letter had been misunderstood (1 Cor 5:9-10) and Paul mentions it to clear up a misconception. [Remember: The chapters were not divided up until the 13th century; the verses not until the 16th.] The household of Chloe brought him news of cliques in the church (1 Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re: 1 Cor 7:1), presumably brought to Ephesus by Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17) who probably added their own comments. The situation was serious. Paul responded with the letter we know as 1 Corinthians.

The “Painful visit”
The situation worsened. Paul felt it necessary to leave his work in Ephesus and pay a hurried visit in the attempt to set things right. (This visit is implied in passages in 2 Corinthians, which speak of Paul as being ready to pay a third visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1; his second visit is past, 13:2).

His references to “coming again in sorrow” (2 Cor 2:1) indicate that this visit had been an unpleasant one. It failed to clear up the situation and Paul went away profoundly disturbed.

The “Severe Letter”
Paul determined to write another letter, obviously very severe in tone, and it cost him much to write (2 Cor 2:4; 7:8). Had it not been successful it might conceivably have meant a final rupture between Paul and this church he had founded. This letter seems to have been lost. (Many scholars feel part of it is preserved in 2 Cor 10-13.) The letter was apparently taken by Titus, who was to return via Macedonia and Troas. Paul was impatient to know how it had been received. When he eventually catches up to Titus, he learns that all is well (2 Cor 2:12-17; 7:5-7, 13). Out of his great relief and joy, Paul wrote the letter we call 2 Corinthians. Almost certainly he visited the church soon afterwards.

Three Visits:
1) When church was founded;
2) The “painful” visit;
3) A visit after 2 Corinthians had been sent.

Four letters:
1) The “Previous Letter”;
2) 1 Corinthians;
3) The “Severe Letter”;
4) 2 Corinthians.

Authorship
There is no doubt that Paul is the author. He is cited as the author in 1 Clement 47:1, a first century letter, and freely quoted by Ignatius and Polycarp; plus subsequent frequent references.
The church at Corinth is the “carnal church.” Spiritual babes, immature and undeveloped spiritually. Unseparated from the world. They have only a minimum of doctrine; what they have is mostly practical, conduct-related.

Paul addresses the following:

Discipline, Chapter 5;
Going to Law, Chapter 6;
Marriage and Divorce, Chapter 7;
Christian Liberty, Chapters 8, 9, 10;
Lord’s Table, Chapter 11;
Tongues, Chapters 12-14;
Resurrection, Chapter 15.

Contrast:
1) Exciting speech of men vs. the Spirit filled preaching of Paul.
2) Wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God.
3) The spirit of the world vs. the Spirit of God.
4) The natural man vs. the spiritual man.

In Roman times Corinth was a city of wealth, luxury, and immorality – with a growing population that reached more than 300,000 free citizens and 460,000 slaves in the 2nd century A.D. The theater in Paul’s day seated 14,000 spectators. In the past, more than 1,000 hierodouloi – temple prostitutes – had been active in pagan worship rites, but these practices probably had ceased by Paul’s time, although the memory of that era was still fresh. “To live like a Corinthian” meant to live a life of sexual immorality and drunkenness. This was the Temple of Aphrodite. The Isthmian games, held every two years, made Corinth a great center of Hellenic life. (The Olympian Games were held every four years at Olympia, some 100 miles west of Corinth).

READ (All) 1 Corinthians 9:15-27

In the previous 14 verses we learned how Paul needed to declare his rights as an apostle, and then deny them for the sake of the gospel. Now we will see how he amplifies the need to solely focus on the gospel so that we, like he, are not disqualified.

[14] Evens so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
A worker is worthy of his wages (a wage earner should work worthy) Jesus has instructed the recipients of a ministry to supply the minister’s needs.
Matthew 10:9-10 (NKJV), “Provide neither gold nor silver not copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”

A. Paul’s desire to leave his rights unclaimed.
1) (1 Corinthians 9:15-18) Paul does not need the support of men to preach the gospel.
[15] But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
a) I have used none of these things: Although Paul had the right to be supported by the churches, he supported himself by his own trade during his three missionary journeys (1 Thess. 2:9; Acts 18:3; 20:34; 2 Cor. 12:14).
b) Nor have I written these things: Paul is not “suggesting” that the Corinthian Christians should support him. He has been talking about laying down their rights for the sake of the “weaker” brother/sister, and here he is using himself as an example.
i) Could you use your Christian life as an example to other Christians? Explain.
c) It would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void: Paul is able to “boast” that he did not charge for his services.
i) Greek culture looked down upon any type of manual labor.
[16] For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
d) Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! Paul was called to preach, and he felt compelled to fulfill that calling. Remember that he considers himself a doulos, bondslave (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Tit 1:10).
Acts 4:18-20 (NKJV), “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’”
i) Have you ever held back from talking about Jesus when you knew God was calling you to testify? Explain.
[17-18] For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
e) If I do this willingly: If he did this on my own initiative, then he deserves payment.
f) I may present the gospel of Christ without charge: During his day, there were many religious spokesmen that were preaching any message to get money. So then here Paul separates himself from these types by never taking an offering.
i) What are you willing to sacrifice for the cause of Jesus?
2) (1 Corinthians 9:19-23) Paul’s ability to adapt to all situations for the sake of the gospel.
[19] For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
a) I am free from all men… that I might win the more: Paul, being a freeman, could do whatever he wanted. But bringing people to Jesus was more important than fulfilling his freedom selfishly.
“Man is most free when controlled by God alone.” (Augustine)
[20] and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews;
b) To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win the Jews: Paul adapted himself to the Jewish customs to win people to Christ. He asked the Jews not so much to give up the practice of the law, as their confidence in it. We must all put our trust in Jesus and not in external religiosity.
i) In Acts 21:23-26, Paul participated in the Jewish purification ceremonies. He knew that they were not necessary, however, he hoped that this would help build a bridge for the gospel. In Acts 16:3 Paul had Timothy circumcised, not because he felt it was necessary, but rather that he thought that it would be helpful for Timothy in doing ministry among the Jews.
ii) How have you adapted your approach for the sake of the gospel?
[21] to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
c) To those who are without the law…I might win those who are without the law: Paul wanted to win people to Jesus, his sole focus, so he was sensitive to their needs, and he identified with them.

[22-23] to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
d) I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some: This is not license to change doctrine or the message to appeal to different groups, but Paul would change his behavior and manner of approach.
e) Now this I do for the gospel’s sake: Paul is willing to only offend over the gospel and not by his manner or behavior.
i) Are you willing to tell people the truth of the Word, in love, even knowing that it will offend them?
3) (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) Be as committed as an athlete.
[24] Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
a) I run… I fight: Winning is more than simply starting a race. We should apply our diligence as if in a race…only our best will do.
b) Run in such a way that you may obtain it: Winning is more than simply starting a race. We should apply our diligence as if in a race…only our best will do.
i) What cause you to fall away from your disciplined life in Jesus?
[25] And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
c) Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things: An athlete wins by denying himself many “lawful” pleasures. Winning is focusing on one goal:
the winning of the prize. Victory is not the result of one thing; it’s the result of many small “edges.”
d) Perishable crown: pine or celery. [Example: last week’s ball scores?]
[26] Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
i) Beats the air: Paul has commitment and he is deliberate.
Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV), “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
[27] But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
e) I discipline my body: Discipline is a weak translation, he is saying that, “I give my body a black eye.”
f) Lest when I have preached to others: Paul sees himself as both a herald of the games (who announced the rules), and as a participant. Paul told others the rules of the game, and he had to follow the rules himself.
g) Lest… I myself should become disqualified: In this context, disqualified is not referring to loss of salvation (none of the Greek athletes lost their citizenship if they lost the race), but the loss of rewards (1 Cor 3:11-15).
i) Do you follow the “rules” that you tell other people follow? Explain.