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1 Corinthians 9:22-27 (October 10, 2004)

Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:22 When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.

Scripture quotation taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

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Core Value:  R-Relational reaching.  We celebrate offering our whole lives in service, reaching out and developing relationships to give both a “cup of cold water” (Matthew 10:42) and the “Living Water” (John 4:10-14) in mission and outreach.  (James 2:14-17)

Paul teaches that love means that we exercise our rights for the good of all, rather than for ourselves alone.  He teaches that Jesus Christ's death on the cross purchased our freedom so that we could voluntarily enter into a life of service to and for others.  We gain our lives in order to freely offer them in love to God and to God's people. 

Here is a riddle.

Paul explains the riddle in many ways, but in chapter 9, he explains that though he has freedom to demand compensation for his service to the church, God compels him to preach independent of that compensation.  Those who support him cannot control what he preaches and he ultimately chooses to serve the church in order to bring more people to salvation - regardless of compensation or monetary support.

Paul is not bragging, but using an example from his own ministry (he supported himself by making and selling tents) to reinforce his message to the church at Corinth to choose to live for the sake of others.  He goes on in verses 19-23 to explain the nature of this servanthood -- a complete identification with those he serves in order to better understand their needs, gain their trust, and communicate to them the power of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

Paul repeats a formula five times:

1. I am a servant of everyone in order to "win" (Greek: kerdeso - care-DAY-so) as many as possible

2. When I am with the Jews, I become like a Jew, in order to "win" the Jews

3. When I am with those under the law, I become like those under the law (though I am not under the law), in order to "win" them

4. When I am with those apart from the law, I become like those apart form the law (though I am under the law of Christ), in order to "win" those apart from the law

5. When I am with those who suffer (or who are weak), I am weak, in order to "win" those who are weak.

He then goes on to compare his relational strategy to that of an athlete who trains hard for the prize.  Paul encourages the Corinthians to exert themselves in the work of evangelism in order to obtain this prize.  Of course he is playing on their sense of pride, even as he calls for them to bring their pride under control for God's glory.

Take note, however, than in the case of Jews, those under the law, and those apart form the law, Paul says that he becomes "like" these people, using a simile (Greek: hos - with a long o).  The simile is missing when Paul describes how he relates to those who are weak and who suffer.  In this relationship, he recognizes a common weakness and suffering with them, in order to relate a story about the One who alone died to relieve all suffering.

For Paul, identifying with those who suffer in society or in the church was not merely a means to an end.  There is no riddle.  For Paul, recognizing his own great need for Jesus was a way of life that spoke louder than powerful preaching.

Questions for Reflection

For further reading:  See Philippians 2:5-11, Romans 5:6-11, and Acts 17:16-34.

For next week: Read 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.  Why is the concept of sacrifice so foundational to faith in God?  What are the ways you make sacrifices for the sake of others in your life?
 

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Last modified: 02/11/08