1 CORINTHIANS 9

PAUL SURRENDERS HIS RIGHTS TO FURTHER THE GOSPEL

Paul responds to questions about his status as an apostle of Jesus. Although he has the right to marry a believing woman and be paid for his teaching, he denies himself of these rights because he believes that he will have a greater impact for God’s kingdom without them. Paul would rather endure and surrender his own comfort to remove barriers in sharing the gospel.

Paul does not want to be accused of boasting in the privileges as a teacher of the gospel, but chooses to only boast about the goodness of God. Knowing he is a steward of God’s Word, Paul is honored to share the gospel and sees his calling as his reward.

In efforts to reach more people, Paul adapts to the culture wherever he is speaking. Paul clarifies that he followed the teachings of Jesus during this time and did not enter into a sinful or unrighteous life. Instead, he respected the cultural customs and traditions of the places he spoke to gain influence with them and understand them better. When Paul says that he became all things to all people, he is speaking of empathy and understanding, not an abandonment of his beliefs or values. Paul shares the message of Jesus with a wide variety of people while maintaining the practices of his teaching.