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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. IX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against
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himself.
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I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his
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success among them as a testimony to it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:1,2">ver. 1, 2</A>.
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II. He claims a right to subsist by his ministry, and defends it by
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several arguments from natural reason and the Mosaical law, and asserts
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it also to be a constitution of Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:3-14">ver. 3-14</A>.
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III. He shows that he had willingly waived this privilege and power for
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their benefit,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>.
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IV. He specifies several other things, in which he had denied himself
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for the sake of other men's spiritual interest and salvation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:19-23">ver. 19-23</A>.
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And,
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V. Concludes his argument by showing what animated him to this course,
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even the prospect of an incorruptible crown,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:24-27">ver. 24, to the end</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Co9_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Rights of a Christian Minister.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus
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Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
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2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to
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you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Blessed Paul, in the work of his ministry, not only met with opposition
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from those without, but discouragement from those within. He was under
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reproach; false brethren questioned his apostleship, and were very
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industrious to lessen his character and sink his reputation;
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particularly here at Corinth, a place to which he had been instrumental
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in doing much good, and from which he had deserved well; and yet there
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were those among them who upon these heads created him great
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uneasiness. Note, It is no strange nor new thing for a minister to meet
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with very unkind returns for great good-will to a people, and diligent
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and successful services among them. Some among the Corinthians
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questioned, if they did not disown, his apostolical character. To their
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cavils he here answers, and in such a manner as to set forth himself as
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a remarkable example of that self-denial, for the good of others, which
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he had been recommending in the former chapter. And,
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1. He asserts his apostolical mission and character: <I>Am I not an
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apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?</I> To be a witness of
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his resurrection was one great branch of the apostolical charge. "Now,"
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says Paul, "have not I seen the Lord, though not immediately after his
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resurrection, yet since his ascent?" See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+4:8"><I>ch.</I> iv. 8</A>.
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"<I>Am I not free?</I> Have I not the same commission, and charge, and
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powers, with the other apostles? What respect, or honour, or
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subsistence, can they challenge, which I am not at liberty to demand as
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well as they?" It was not because he had no right to live of the gospel
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that he maintained himself with his own hands, but for other reasons.
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2. He offers the success of his ministry among them, and the good he
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had done to them, as a proof of his apostleship: "<I>Are not you my
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work in the Lord?</I> Through the blessing of Christ on my labours,
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have not I raised a church among you? <I>The seal of my apostleship
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are you in the Lord.</I> Your conversion by my means is a confirmation
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from God of my mission." Note, The ministers of Christ should not think
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it strange to be put upon the proof of their ministry by some who have
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had experimental evidence of the power of it and the presence of God
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with it.
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3. He justly upbraids the Corinthians with their disrespect:
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"<I>Doubtless, if I am not an apostle to others, I am so to you,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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I have laboured so long, and with so much success, among you, that you,
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above all others, should own and honour my character, and not call it
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in question." Note, It is no new thing for faithful ministers to meet
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with the worst treatment where they might expect the best. This church
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at Corinth had as much reason to believe, and as little reason to
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question, his apostolical mission, as any; they had as much reason,
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perhaps more than any church, to pay him respect. He had been
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instrumental in bringing them to the knowledge and faith of Christ; he
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laboured long among them, nearly two years, and he laboured to good
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purpose, <I>God having much people among them.</I> See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+18:10,11">Acts xviii. 10, 11</A>.
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It was aggravated ingratitude for this people to call in question his
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authority.</P>
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<A NAME="1Co9_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Rights of a Christian Minister.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
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4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
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5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as
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other apostles, and <I>as</I> the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
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6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
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7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth
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a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a
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flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
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8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same
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also?
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9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle
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the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take
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care for oxen?
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10 Or saith he <I>it</I> altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
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doubt, <I>this</I> is written: that he that ploweth should plow in
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hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
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his hope.
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11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, <I>is it</I> a great
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thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
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12 If others be partakers of <I>this</I> power over you, <I>are</I> not
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we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer
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all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
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13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things
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live <I>of the things</I> of the temple? and they which wait at the
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altar are partakers with the altar?
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14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the
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gospel should live of the gospel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the
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rights belonging to his office, especially that of being maintained by
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it.</P>
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<P>
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I. These he states,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:3-6"><I>v.</I> 3-6</A>.
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"<I>My answer to those that do examine me</I> (that is, enquire into my
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authority, or the reasons of my conduct, if I am an apostle) is this:
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<I>Have we not power to eat and drink</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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or a right to maintenance? <I>Have we not power to lead about a
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sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and the brethren of the
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Lord, and Cephas;</I> and, not only to be maintained ourselves, but
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have them maintained also?" Though Paul was at that time single, he had
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a right to take a wife when he pleased, and to lead her about with him,
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and expect a maintenance for her, as well as himself, from the
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churches. Perhaps Barnabas had a wife, as the other apostles certainly
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had, and led them about with them. For that a wife is here to be
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understood by the <I>sister-woman</I>~<B><I>adelphen gynaika,</I></B>
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is plain from this, that it would have been utterly unfit for the
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apostles to have carried about women with them unless they were wives.
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The word implies that they had power over them, and could require their
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attendance on them, which none could have over any but wives or
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servants. Now the apostles, who worked for their bread, do not seem to
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have been in a capacity to buy or have servants to carry with them.
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Not to observe that it would have raised suspicion to have carried
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about even women-servants, and much more other women to whom they were
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not married, for which the apostles would never give any occasion. The
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apostle therefore plainly asserts he had a right to marry as well as
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other apostles, and claim a maintenance for his wife, nay, and his
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children too, if he had any, from the churches, without labouring with
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his own hands to procure it. <I>Or I only and Barnabas, have not we
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power to for bear working?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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In short, the apostle here claims a maintenance from the churches, both
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for him and his. This was due from them, and what he might claim.</P>
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<P>
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II. He proceeds, by several arguments, to prove his claim.
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1. From the common practice and expectations of mankind. Those who
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addict and give themselves up to any way of business in the world
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expect to live out of it. Soldiers expect to be paid for their service.
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Husbandmen and shepherds expect to get a livelihood out of their
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labours. If they plant vineyards, and dress and cultivate them, it is
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with expectation of fruit; if they feed a flock, it is with the
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expectation of being fed and clothed by it! <I>Who goeth a warfare at
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any time at his own charge? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the
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fruit thereof? Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not the milk
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thereof?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:7-9"><I>v.</I> 7-9</A>.
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Note, It is very natural, and very reasonable, for ministers to expect
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a livelihood out of their labours.
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2. He argues it out of the Jewish law: <I>Say I these things as a man?
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Or saith not the law the same also?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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Is this merely a dictate of common reason and according to common usage
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only? No, it is also consonant to the old law. God had therein ordered
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that the ox should not be muzzled while he was treading out the corn,
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nor hindered from eating while he was preparing the corn for man's use,
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and treading it out of the ear. But this law was not chiefly given out
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of God's regard to oxen, or concern for them, but to teach mankind that
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all due encouragement should be given to those who are employed by us,
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or labouring for our good--that the labourers should taste of the fruit
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of their labours. <I>Those who plough should plough in hope; and those
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who thresh in hope should be partakers of their hope,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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The law saith this about oxen for our sakes. Note, Those that lay
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themselves out to do our souls good should not have their mouths
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muzzled, but have food provided for them.
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3. He argues from common equity: <I>If we have sown unto you spiritual
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things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?</I>
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What they had sown was much better than they expected to reap. They had
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taught them the way to eternal life, and laboured heartily to put them
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in possession of it. It was no great matter, surely, while they were
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giving themselves up to this work, to expect a support of their own
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temporal life. They had been instruments of conveying to them the
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greater spiritual blessings; and had they no claim to as great a share
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in their carnal things as was necessary to subsist them? Note, Those
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who enjoy spiritual benefits by the ministry of the word should not
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grudge a maintenance to such as are employed in this work. If they have
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received a real benefit, one would think they could not grudge them
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this. What, get so much good by them, and yet grudge to do so little
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good to them! Is this grateful or equitable?
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4. He argues from the maintenance they afforded others: "<I>If others
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are partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?</I> You allow
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others this maintenance, and confess their claim just; but who has so
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just a claim as I from the church of Corinth? Who has given greater
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evidence of the apostolic mission? Who had laboured so much for your
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good, or done like service among you?" Note, Ministers should be valued
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and provided for according to their worth. "<I>Nevertheless,</I>" says
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the apostle, "<I>we have not used this power; but suffer all things,
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lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.</I> We have not insisted on
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our right, but have rather been in straits to serve the interests of
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the gospel, and promote the salvation of souls." He renounced his
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right, rather than by claiming it he would hinder his success. He
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denied himself, for fear of giving offence; but asserted his right lest
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his self-denial should prove prejudicial to the ministry. Note, He is
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likely to plead most effectually for the rights of others who shows a
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generous disregard to his own. It is plain, in this case, that justice,
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and not self-love, is the principle by which he is actuated.
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5. He argues from the old Jewish establishment: "<I>Do you not know
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that those who minister about holy things live of the things of the
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temple, and those who wait at the altar are partakers with the
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altar?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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And, if the Jewish priesthood was maintained out of the holy things
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that were then offered, shall not Christ's ministers have a maintenance
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out of their ministry? Is there not as much reason that we should be
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maintained as they?" He asserts it to be the institution of Christ:
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"<I>Even so hath the Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel
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should live of the gospel</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
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should have a right to a maintenance, though not bound to demand it,
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and insist upon it." It is the people's duty to maintain their
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minister, by Christ's appointment, though it be not a duty bound on
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every minister to call for or accept it. He may waive his right, as
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Paul did, without being a sinner; but those transgress an appointment
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of Christ who deny or withhold it. Those who preach the gospel have a
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right to live by it; and those who attend on their ministry, and yet
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take no thought about their subsistence, fail very much in their duty
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to Christ, and respect owing to them.</P>
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<A NAME="1Co9_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Co9_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Devotedness.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written
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these things, that it should be so done unto me: for <I>it were</I>
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better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying
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void.
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16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:
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for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach
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not the gospel!
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17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if
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against my will, a dispensation <I>of the gospel</I> is committed unto
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me.
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18 What is my reward then? <I>Verily</I> that, when I preach the
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gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I
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abuse not my power in the gospel.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here he tells them that he had, notwithstanding, waived his privilege,
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and lays down his reason for doing it.</P>
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<P>
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I. He tells them that he had neglected to claim his right in times
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past: <I>I have used none of these things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
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He neither ate nor drank himself at their cost, nor led about a wife to
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be maintained by them, nor forbore working to maintain himself. From
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others he received a maintenance, but not from them, for some special
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reasons. Nor did he write this to make his claim now. Though he here
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asserts his right, yet he does not claim his due; but denies himself
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for their sakes, and the gospel.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. We have the reason assigned of his exercising this self-denial. He
|
|
would not have his glorying made void: <I>It were better for his to die
|
|
than that any man should make his glorying void,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
This glorying did imply nothing in it of boasting, or self-conceit, or
|
|
catching at applause, but a high degree of satisfaction and comfort. It
|
|
was a singular pleasure to him to preach the gospel without making it
|
|
burdensome; and he was resolved that among them he would not lose this
|
|
satisfaction. His advantages for promoting the gospel were his glory,
|
|
and he valued them above his rights, or his very life: <I>Better were
|
|
it for him to die than to have his glorying made void,</I> than to have
|
|
it justly said that he preferred his wages to his work. No, he was
|
|
ready to deny himself for the sake of the gospel. Note, It is the glory
|
|
of a minister to prefer the success of his ministry to his interest,
|
|
and deny himself, that he may serve Christ, and save souls. Not that in
|
|
so doing he does more than he ought; he is still acting within the
|
|
bounds of the law of charity. But he acts upon truly noble principles,
|
|
he brings much honour to God in so doing; and those that honour him he
|
|
will honour. It is what God will approve and commend, what a man may
|
|
value himself for and take comfort in, though he cannot make a merit of
|
|
it before God.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He shows that this self-denial was more honourable in itself, and
|
|
yielded him much more content and comfort, than his preaching did:
|
|
"<I>Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing whereof to glory; for
|
|
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
|
|
gospel,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is my charge, my business; it is the work for which I am constituted
|
|
an apostle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+1:17"><I>ch.</I> i. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a duty expressly bound upon me. It is not in any degree a
|
|
matter of liberty. <I>Necessity is upon me.</I> I am false and
|
|
unfaithful to my trust, I break a plain and express command, and <I>woe
|
|
be to me, if I do not preach the gospel.</I>" Those who are set apart
|
|
to the office of the ministry have it in charge to preach the gospel.
|
|
Woe be to them if they do not. From this none is excepted. But it is
|
|
not given in charge to all, nor any preacher of the gospel, to do his
|
|
work gratis, to preach and have no maintenance out of it. It is not
|
|
said, "Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel, and yet maintain
|
|
himself." In this point he is more at liberty. It may be his duty to
|
|
preach at some seasons, and under some circumstances, without receiving
|
|
a maintenance for it; but he has, in the general, a right to it, and
|
|
may expect it from those among whom he labours. When he renounces this
|
|
right for the sake of the gospel and the souls of men, though he does
|
|
not supererogate, yet he denies himself, waives his privilege and
|
|
right; he does more than his charge and office in general, and at all
|
|
times, obliges him to. Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel;
|
|
but it may sometimes be his duty to insist on his maintenance for so
|
|
doing, and whenever he forbears to claim it he parts with his right,
|
|
though a man may sometimes be bound to do so by the general duties of
|
|
love to God and charity to men. Note, It is a high attainment in
|
|
religion to renounce our own rights for the good of others; this will
|
|
entitle to a peculiar reward from God. For,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The apostle here informs us that doing our duty with a willing mind
|
|
will meet with a gracious recompence from God: <I>If I do this
|
|
thing,</I> that is, either preach the gospel or take no maintenance,
|
|
<I>willingly, I have a reward.</I> Indeed, it is willing service only
|
|
that is capable of reward from God. It is not the bare doing of any
|
|
duty, but the doing of it heartily (that is, willingly and cheerfully)
|
|
that God has promised to reward. Leave the heart out of our duties, and
|
|
God abhors them: they are but the carcasses, without the life and
|
|
spirit, of religion. Those must preach willingly who would be accepted
|
|
of God in this duty. They must make their business a pleasure, and not
|
|
esteem it a drudgery. And those who, out of regard to the honour of God
|
|
or good of souls, give up their claim to a maintenance, should do this
|
|
duty willingly, if they would be accepted in it or rewarded for it. But
|
|
whether the duty of the office be done willingly or with reluctance,
|
|
whether the heart be in it or averse from it, all in office have a
|
|
trust and charge from God, for which they must be accountable.
|
|
Ministers have a dispensation of the gospel, or
|
|
<I>stewardship</I>--<B><I>oikonomia</I></B>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+16:2">Luke xvi. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
committed to them. Note, Christ's willing servants shall not fail of a
|
|
recompence, and that proportioned to their fidelity, zeal, and
|
|
diligence; and his slothful and unwilling servants shall all be called
|
|
to an account. Taking his name, and professing to do his business,
|
|
will make men accountable at his bar. And how sad an account have
|
|
slothful servants to give!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
V. The apostle sums up the argument, by laying before them the
|
|
encouraging hope he had of a large recompence for his remarkable
|
|
self-denial: <I>What is my reward then?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
What is it I expect a recompence from God for? <I>That when I preach
|
|
the gospel I may make it without charge, that I abuse not my power in
|
|
the gospel.</I> Or, "not so to claim my rights as to make them destroy
|
|
the great intentions and ends of my office, but renounce them for the
|
|
sake of these." It is an abuse of power to employ it against the very
|
|
ends for which it is given. And the apostle would never use his power,
|
|
or privilege of being maintained by his ministry, so as to frustrate
|
|
the ends of it, but would willingly and cheerfully deny himself for the
|
|
honour of Christ and the interest of souls. That ministers who follows
|
|
his example may have cheerful expectations of a full recompence.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Devotedness.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 For though I be free from all <I>men,</I> yet have I made myself
|
|
servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
|
|
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;
|
|
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.
|
|
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I
|
|
am made all things to all <I>men,</I> 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 <I>you.</I>
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle takes occasion from what he had before discoursed to
|
|
mention some other instances of his self-denial and parting with his
|
|
liberty for the benefit of others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He asserts his liberty
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Though I be free from all men.</I> He was free-born, a citizen of
|
|
Rome. He was in bondage to none, nor depended upon any for his
|
|
subsistence; <I>yet he made himself a servant to all, that he might
|
|
gain the more.</I> He behaved as a servant; he laboured for their good
|
|
as a servant; he was careful to please, as a servant to his master; he
|
|
acted in many cases as if he had no privileges; and this that he might
|
|
gain the more, or make the more converts to Christianity. He made
|
|
himself a servant, that they might be made free.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He specifies some particulars wherein he made himself a servant to
|
|
all. He accommodated himself to all sorts of people.
|
|
|
|
1. <I>To the Jews, and those under the law, he became a Jew,</I> and as
|
|
under the law, to gain them. Though he looked on the ceremonial law as
|
|
a yoke taken off by Christ, yet in many instances he submitted to it,
|
|
that he might work upon the Jews, remove their prejudices, prevail with
|
|
them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ.
|
|
|
|
2. <I>To those that are without the law as without law</I> that is, to
|
|
the Gentiles, whether converted to the Christian faith or not. In
|
|
innocent things he could comply with people's usages or humours for
|
|
their advantage. He would reason with the philosophers in their own
|
|
way. And, as to converted Gentiles, he behaved among them as one that
|
|
was not under the bondage of the Jewish laws, as he had asserted and
|
|
maintained concerning them, though he did not act as a lawless person,
|
|
but as one who was bound by the laws of Christ. He would transgress no
|
|
laws of Christ to please or humour any man; but he would accommodate
|
|
himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Paul
|
|
was the apostle of the Gentiles, and so, one would have thought, might
|
|
have excused himself from complying with the Jews; and yet, to do them
|
|
good, and win them over to Christ, he did, in innocent things, neglect
|
|
the power he had to do otherwise, and conformed to some of their usages
|
|
and laws. And though he might, by virtue of that character, have
|
|
challenged authority over the Gentiles, yet he accommodated himself, as
|
|
much as he innocently might, to their prejudices and ways of thinking.
|
|
Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, so that he
|
|
might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges and punctilios.
|
|
|
|
3. <I>To the weak he became as weak, that he might gain the weak,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was willing to make the best of them. He did not despise nor judge
|
|
them, but became as one of them, forbore to use his liberty for their
|
|
sake, and was careful to lay no stumbling-block in their way. Where
|
|
any, through the weakness of their understanding, or the strength of
|
|
their prejudices, were likely to fall into sin, or fall off from the
|
|
gospel into heathen idolatry, through his use of his liberty, he
|
|
refrained himself. He denied himself for their sakes, that he might
|
|
insinuate into their affections, and gain their souls. In short, <I>he
|
|
became all things to all men, that he might by all means</I> (all
|
|
lawful means) <I>gain some.</I> He would not sin against God to save
|
|
the soul of his neighbour, but he would very cheerfully and readily
|
|
deny himself. The rights of God he could not give up, but he might
|
|
resign his own, and he very often did so for the good of others.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He assigns his reason for acting in this manner
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>This I do for the gospel's sake, and that I may be partaker thereof
|
|
with you;</I> that is, for the honour of Christ, whose the gospel is,
|
|
and for the salvation of souls, for which it was designed, and that he
|
|
and they might communicate in the privileges of it, or partake together
|
|
of them. For these ends did he thus condescend, deny himself as to his
|
|
liberty, and accommodate himself to the capacities and usages of those
|
|
with whom he had to do, where he lawfully might. Note, A heart warmed
|
|
with zeal for God, and breathing after the salvation of men, will not
|
|
plead and insist upon rights and privileges in bar to this design.
|
|
Those manifestly abuse their power in the gospel who employ it not to
|
|
edification but destruction, and therefore breathe nothing of its
|
|
spirit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Co9_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Apostle's Devotedness.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 57.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>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 <I>do it</I> to obtain a corruptible crown; but
|
|
we an incorruptible.
|
|
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 <I>it</I> into subjection:
|
|
lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself
|
|
should be a castaway.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses the apostle hints at the great encouragement he had to
|
|
act in this manner. He had a glorious prize, an incorruptible crown, in
|
|
view. Upon this head he compares himself to the racers and combatants
|
|
in the Isthmian games, an allusion well known to the Corinthians,
|
|
because they were celebrated in their neighbourhood: "<I>Know you not
|
|
that those who run in a race run all, but one obtaineth the prize?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
All run at your games, but only one gets the race and wins the crown."
|
|
And here,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He excites them to their duty: "<I>So run that you may obtain.</I>
|
|
It is quite otherwise in the Christian race than in your races; only
|
|
one wins the prize in them. You may all run so as to obtain. You have
|
|
great encouragement, therefore, to persist constantly, and diligently,
|
|
and vigorously, in your course. There is room for all to get the prize.
|
|
You cannot fail if you run well. Yet there should be a noble emulation;
|
|
you should endeavour to outdo one another. And it is a glorious contest
|
|
who shall get first to heaven, or have the best rewards in that blessed
|
|
world. I make it my endeavour to run; so do you, as you see me go
|
|
before you." Note, It is the duty of Christians to follow their
|
|
ministers closely in the chase of eternal glory, and the honour and
|
|
duty of ministers to lead them in the way.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He directs them in their course, by setting more fully to view his
|
|
own example, still carrying on the allusion.
|
|
|
|
1. Those that ran in their games were kept to a set diet: "<I>Every man
|
|
that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
The fighters and wrestlers in your exercises are kept to strict diet
|
|
and discipline; nay, they keep themselves to it. They do not indulge
|
|
themselves, but restrain themselves from the food they eat and so from
|
|
the liberties they use on other occasions. And should not Christians
|
|
much more abridge themselves of their liberty, for so glorious an end
|
|
as winning the race, and obtaining the prize set before them? They used
|
|
a very spare diet, and course food, and denied themselves much, to
|
|
prepare for their race and combat; so do I; so should you, after my
|
|
example. It is hard if, for the heavenly crown, you cannot abstain from
|
|
heathen sacrifices."
|
|
|
|
2. They were not only temperate, but inured themselves to hardships.
|
|
Those who fought with one another in these exercises prepared
|
|
themselves by beating the air, as the apostle calls it, or by throwing
|
|
out their arms, and thereby inuring themselves, beforehand, to deal
|
|
about their blows in close combat, or brandish them by way of flourish.
|
|
There is no room for any such exercise in the Christian warfare.
|
|
Christians are ever in close combat. There enemies make fierce and
|
|
hearty opposition, and are ever at hand; and for this reason they must
|
|
lay about them in earnest, and never drop the contest, nor flag and
|
|
faint in it. They must fight, not as those that beat the air, but must
|
|
strive against their enemies with all their might. One enemy the
|
|
apostle here mentions, namely, the body; this must be kept under,
|
|
beaten black and blue, as the combatants were in these Grecian games,
|
|
and thereby brought into subjection. By the body we are to understand
|
|
fleshly appetites and inclinations. These the apostle set himself to
|
|
curb and conquer, and in this the Corinthians were bound to imitate
|
|
him. Note, Those who would aright pursue the interests of their souls
|
|
must beat down their bodies, and keep them under. They must combat hard
|
|
with fleshly lusts, and not indulge a wanton appetite, and long for
|
|
heathenish sacrifices, nor eat them, to please their flesh, at the
|
|
hazard of their brethren's souls. The body must be made to serve the
|
|
mind, not suffered to lord over it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians by proper
|
|
arguments drawn from the same contenders.
|
|
|
|
1. They take pains, and undergo all those hardships, <I>to obtain a
|
|
corruptible crown</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>but we an incorruptible.</I> Those who conquered in these games were
|
|
crowned only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive,
|
|
bays, or laurel. But Christians have an incorruptible crown in view, a
|
|
crown of glory that never fadeth away, an inheritance incorruptible,
|
|
reserved in heaven for them. And would they yet suffer themselves to be
|
|
outdone by these racers or wrestlers? Can they use abstinence in diet,
|
|
exert themselves in racing, expose their bodies to so much hardship in
|
|
a combat, who have no more in view than the trifling huzzas of a giddy
|
|
multitude, or a crown of leaves? And shall not Christians, who hope for
|
|
the approbation of the sovereign Judge, and a crown of glory from his
|
|
hands, stretch forward in the heavenly race, and exert themselves in
|
|
beating down their fleshly inclinations, and the strong-holds of sin?
|
|
|
|
2. The racers in these games run at uncertainty. All run, but one
|
|
receives the prize,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
Every racer, therefore, is at a great uncertainty whether he shall win
|
|
it or no. But the Christian racer is at no such uncertainty. Every one
|
|
may run here so as to obtain; but then he must run within the lines, he
|
|
must keep to the path of duty prescribed, which, some think, is the
|
|
meaning of <I>running not as uncertainly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
He who keeps within the limits prescribed, and keeps on in his race,
|
|
will never miss his crown, though others may get theirs before him. And
|
|
would the Grecian racers keep within their bounds, and exert themselves
|
|
to the very last, when one only could win, and all must be uncertain
|
|
which that one would be? And shall not Christians be much more exact
|
|
and vigorous when all are sure of a crown when they come to the end of
|
|
their race?
|
|
|
|
3. He sets before himself and them the danger of yielding to fleshly
|
|
inclinations, and pampering the body and its lusts and appetites: <I>I
|
|
keep my body under, lest that by any means, when I have preached to
|
|
others, I myself should be a cast-away</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+9:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>rejected, disapproved,</I> <B><I>adokimos,</I></B> one to whom the
|
|
<B><I>brabeutes</I></B>--<I>the judge</I> or <I>umpire</I> of the race,
|
|
will not decree the crown. The allusion to the games runs through the
|
|
whole sentence. Note, A preacher of salvation may yet miss it. He may
|
|
show others the way to heaven, and never get thither himself. To
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prevent this, Paul took so much pains in subduing and keeping under
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bodily inclinations, lest by any means he himself, who had preached to
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others, should yet miss the crown, be disapproved and rejected by his
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sovereign Judge. A holy fear of himself was necessary to preserve the
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fidelity of an apostle; and how much more necessary is it to our
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preservation? Note, Holy fear of ourselves, and not presumptuous
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confidence, is the best security against apostasy from God, and final
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rejection by him.</P>
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