1 Corinthians 9 - Are You Running to Win the Prize?

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Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

One of the "knocks" against Paul was that he was not an original apostle, like for instance Peter, James, and John. But Paul says, "Have I not seen the Lord?" He is referring to his encounter with Jesus on the "Road to Damascus." He also points to the fruits of his ministry, which were the Corinthians themselves. 

Apparently he didn't get paid very well and did not have the same rights as the other apostles to take a wife. But despite all of these injustices, Paul did not make use of his rights so as not to tarnish the gospel in any way. Perhaps people might have accused him of being in it for the money if he did demand a wage. He points to the Old Testament, which states the principle that a worker is worth their wages. Even an oxen was allowed to partake of the grain. So why wouldn't someone working as a minister partake of their work.  

Paul concludes that the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should make their living from the gospel. Paul goes as far as to say one of the reasons he does not exercise his right to receive money for his ministry is that he wants to preach the gospel "free of charge". Since the gift of the gospel of free of charge, he felt that he would honor it by relying on others for food, drink, and a place to stay, which we see him mention in some of his other letters.  

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Paul uses this same concept to describe his evangelism style. Paul is free because of his conversion to Christ, yet he says he is "slave of all:. To the Jews (which he was), he became like a Jew. For example, Paul participated in purification rites even though they had nothing to do with being a Christian. He did this so as not to raise unnecessary obstacles to people who were Jewish to become Christians. 

To those who were under the Law, whom we might call "legalists", he became like those under the Law. Most radically because he was Jewish, he became like a Gentile to win the Gentiles. This is one earned him the disdain of his own people that he hung out with "dirty Gentiles". The Jews normally avoided Gentiles at all costs, but Paul's mission was primarily to the Gentiles after the Jews rejected the gospel. 

Paul summarizes his method by saying, "I have become all things to all people so that I might win some." This doesn't mean he watered down the gospel, or compromised his own relationship with God. It was the same gospel and the same Paul, but he just contextualized it to his audience. 

Paul was willing to offend people over the gospel, but he wanted to offend them only over the gospel. Guzik

The Need for Self-Discipline

As Paul single mindedly sought to win people for Christ, he compared himself to an athlete who is preparing for a race. In their preparation they do everything needed to win the race. They don't train to finish in 4th place, they run to win. Most importantly the prize he competes for is a heavenly crown that will never fade away. 

Do you look at your Christian life in the same way Paul does? Do you look for ways to bring the gospel to people in a way that it would make sense to them? Do you take risks to share the gospel with people who most people have given up on? Do you train to be a better, more effective Christian? I.e. If you want to be a better evangelist do you read and take courses on evangelism? 

Finally, what crowns are you chasing after? Are they ones that will fade away or last forever?