1 Corinthians 9:18-27

(1 Corinthians 9:18-27)

What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  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;  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.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

Paul had the right to eat and drink, could have a wife of faith, and could not work and live on the material aid of the Corinthian church. But Paul did not choose that right. The reason is that you have chosen the gospel. 『Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 』
It is a bold declaration that he will give up his right and live the Gospel rather than interfere with preaching the Gospel.

 

Paul, who chose the Gospel, is playing an ever-changing role as a Jewish role to the Jews, a role under the law to those who are under the law, a role of the lawless to the lawless, and the weak to the weak. . Paul, who said that if anything interferes with the Gospel, will give up even if it is a right, means that he will not hesitate to change into the same image as the person to whom the Gospel is willing. We see no role conflict occurring in Paul. The reason is that what is important to Paul is not the role, but the gospel. He does not seem to have any difficulties in various roles for the gospel.

 

Paul expresses himself in various roles in one letter, which means that he is a servant. Paul himself became a slave to all people. Paul, who became the servant, the lowest, and the man no one valued, had no vested interest. Even he did not exercise his right to God by preaching the gospel. 『For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 』

 

Paul, fascinated by the Gospel, shows the Christians in Corinth the life of the one who chose the Gospel. It is not unusual for them to find the image of Jesus Christ in the image of Paul. Just like Jesus Christ, who obeyed himself as a slave for God's will, Paul became a slave himself before God's calling, ringing a deep bell in the hearts of those who read this letter. 『For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.』(Galatians 5:13-14)

 

An athlete who wants to win a game doesn't live for self satisfaction. They are enduring sacrifices and training with the clear goal of being the crown of victory. Even if it may be a crown that will not decay forever, the athlete restrains everything for the same glory and fame. They live the way they train. They conduct systematic training by having coaches and coaches to monitor their lives and assist with the inspection process. Athletes are trained in the same way to obtain a rotten crown, but we are talking about the training that we Christians who will receive the crown of eternal life are undertaking.