1 Corinthians 9

The Explanation

Paul is writing a letter, and you can almost hear him arguing with someone. In the city of Corinth there were people who whispered about him. "Is Paul really sent by Jesus? He doesn't even let us pay him. Maybe he isn't a real apostle."

Paul writes back. "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ, our Lord?" He had seen Jesus. He had told the people in Corinth about Him. They believed. That was the proof.

Then Paul asks something surprising. "Have we no right to eat and to drink?" Think about it, he says. A soldier doesn't pay for his own war. A farmer who plants a vineyard eats the grapes. A shepherd who keeps goats drinks the milk. Even the ox that walks round and round on the grain is allowed to grab a mouthful. God said so Himself in the old books of Moses: don't tie the ox's mouth shut.

So, Paul says, someone who tells people about Jesus may be given bread and a bed and a cup of water. That is fair. Jesus Himself said so.

And then comes the strange twist. Paul says: I never took it. Not one coin. He made tents with his own hands, late at night, with rough fingers and tired eyes, so that nobody could ever say, "That man only preaches for money."

Would you have done that?

Paul went further still. He was a free man, but he made himself everyone's servant. With Jewish people he lived like a Jew. With people who had never heard of Moses, he sat down among them anyway. With people who were weak and shaky in their faith, he became gentle and slow, so they wouldn't feel stupid. "I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some."

Then Paul paints a picture the people of Corinth knew well. Runners. In their part of the world there were big games, with a track and a crowd shouting. Every runner wanted the prize: a crown made of leaves. To get it, they trained hard. No lazy days. No stuffing yourself with food.

Paul says: we run too. But our crown never turns brown. "I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air." He wasn't a boxer punching at nothing. He kept going, straight toward Jesus.

What Does This Mean?

Paul had rights. Real ones. And he chose to let them go, because something mattered more to him than his own comfort: that people would hear about Jesus and nothing would get in the way.

That is a hard, brave choice. Paul wasn't being nice for a minute. He gave up food, sleep and money, for years, so that the good news could run free.

The Common Thread

Where did Paul learn this? From Jesus. Jesus was the King of everything. He had every right to a throne, a crown, servants and a soft bed. He gave it all up. He came down, He served, He washed dusty feet, He went to the cross.

Paul had seen Him. And after that, Paul could not live for himself anymore. The crown that never withers is waiting because Jesus went first.

For You

You have rights too, little ones, but real ones. The right to the last cookie. The first turn on the swing. The seat by the window in the car.

Try this once this week: give one away on purpose. Let your little brother go first. Hand over the biggest piece. Don't announce it loudly; just do it and let it be a secret between you and God.

And keep running. When praying feels boring, pray anyway. Runners train on grey days too.

Talk About It

Paul could have asked for money and food, but he didn't. Why do you think he chose that?

What is one thing you could give up this week so someone else is glad?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, You gave up everything for us. Help me to let go of something today for someone else. Keep me running toward You, even when it is hard. Amen.