OUR SPIRITUAL WEAPONS "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Cor 10:1-6) Paul had NOT demanded that the Corinthians support him, even though they had received the truth from him and been nurtured by him. He was worthy of receiving support from them, and it was right before God that they render such a benefit to him (1 Cor 9:2-15). The failure of the Corinthians to support Paul defied all manner of sound reasoning. Consider the following. -- Tomorrow:
THE UNASSUMING NATURE OF PAUL
1. He had the right to be so supported (1 Cor 9:3-4).
2. It would have been right for him to forbear working and receive support from them (1 Cor 9:6).
3. It defied even worldly reasoning to expect a soldier to go to war at his own cost, or a vineyard worker or shepherd to be deprived of the fruit of his labors (1 Cor 9:7).
4. The Law supported the notion of the laborer being worthy of his hire (1 Cor 9:8-10).
5. It was right for those who had received spiritual things from Paul to minister to him of the carnal things (1 Cor 9:11).
6. The Corinthians had honored others with such support, why was it not appropriate for them to render honor to Paul as well (1 Cor 9:12).
7. In the Temple service, those who ministered about holy things derived their living from the "things of the Temple," even being given a portion of the sacrifices for their food (1 Cor 9:13)
8. God had even "ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel" (1 Cor 9:14).
Yet, in a remarkable display of meekness and gentleness, and in a visible display of humility and a preference for the will of the Lord and the advantages of His people, Paul did not claim those rights. He confessed, "Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ" (1 Cor 9:12). And again, "But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void" (1 Cor 9:15).
Some in Corinth took all of this to mean Paul was base, weak, and intimidated by the seeming greatness of the Corinthians themselves. How utterly wrong they were!
THE PRESENT CHURCH SCENE
Many of us have been submitted to extensive displays of abuse in the matter of responding appropriately to a man of God. The above eight principles that Paul adduced in the ninth chapter of First Corinthians are regularly ignored by countless congregations. The fact that men have meekly endured such violations is not intended to be a precedent for the kind of treatment faithful ministers often receive.
Paul did not totally shun support. He commended the Philippians for coming to his aid in times of duress (Phil 4:16). He expressed thankfulness for Onesiphorus, who "ministered" to him in "many things," and was "not shamed" of Paul's "chain" (2 Tim 1:16-18). He had also received help from Phebe, and expressed gratefulness for it (Rom 16:2). When Lydia urged him to come into her home for a season, he did not refuse (Acts 16:14).
But when it came to the Corinthians, Paul thought it best to forgo these rights. There he ministered "without charge" choosing not to "abuse," or make "full use" of his "right in the Gospel" (1 Cor 9:18, NASB). By looking at this gracious attitude of Paul as a sign of weakness, the Corinthians made their hearts and minds more evident. It confirmed the correctness of Paul's attitude among them.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to conduct myself toward Your servants in a comely and godly manner.