First Corinthians 8 and 9
Monday, February 3 1 Corinthians 8:1-6
“About food thathas been offered to idols”
Most meat sold in the town marketplacecame from sacrificial animals that had been slaughtered at pagan templeceremonies. Did these rituals somehowautomatically taint the food? CouldChristians buy it? Could they eat it ifit was offered to them at friends’ homes? What about the various social events – weddings, parties, clubs, and soon – which often used the temple dining halls for their festivities? Could Christians participate and eat meat atthese events? What about more overtlyreligious rites in those temples?
In verses 1-3 Paul indicates, even beforehe gets into the details of the issue, that Christians always need to let love,not knowledge, be the last word. Knowledge doesn’t always make us considerate of others but has atendency to make us proud. In verses 4-6Paul takes the side of those who see nothing wrong with eating meat offered toidols. He agrees with them that there isonly one God and that an idol is nothing. He goes so far as to suggest that there is no religious significance towhat is eaten or not eaten.
Spiritual knowledge, Lord, must always be livedout in love. Amen.
Tuesday, February 4 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
“However, not allbelievers know this”
Paul’s “however” in verse 7 introduces thereality that not everyone in the church knew there was only one true God. Paul reminds his readers that what is safefor one Christian may not be safe for another because of his differentbackground, different temperament, or different level of maturity. There were church members whose conscienceswould not let them eat meat offered to idols, and they would do great violenceto themselves if they went against their conscience.
Paul made thosewho had the greater knowledge the object of his counsel. He suggested that they start by substitutinglove for their fellow Christians for their knowledge of what was right or wrong. Paul taught Christians to celebrate thefreedom that they had found in Christ, but he emphasized that no Christian hasa right in the exercise of his or her freedom to undermine the faith of anotherChristian. His plain advice is thatthose who know there is nothing wrong with a certain behavior are still torefrain from it in order not to create problems for the weaker brother.
Disregardfor my fellow Christians, Lord, is disregard for you. Amen.
Wednesday, February 5 1 Corinthians 9:1-12
“We did not insist on our rights”
Paul turns nowto a second illustration of the principle that Christian freedom should betempered by the voluntary relinquishing of one’s rights. Itinerant Greco-Roman philosophers andreligious teachers were often paid for their “services” by well-to-dofollowers. The wealthy members in theCorinthian church doubtless would have preferred to have Paul accept theirmoney in return for deference to their views on spiritual matters. When he refused and continued to rely ontent-making for his income, they charged that his unwillingness to go alongwith their patronage demonstrated that he did not have the same authority asother itinerant apostles or preachers.
Verses 1-12present the case in some detail for Paul’s authority as an apostle and hisright to be paid for his services. Yetin keeping with his “yes we have these rights, but for the sake of the gospelwe don’t insist on them” logic, and in defense of his actual behavior, verses13-18 then explain why Paul has in fact renounced this right (see below).
As did Paul,Lord, I willingly lay aside my rights for the sake of the gospel. Amen.
Thursday, February 6 1 Corinthians 9:13-18
“This is why I don’t demand my rights”
The essential reason that Paul has refusedpayment for his ministry is that he wants to avoid all possible charges ofimpure motives or misuse of funds which, in turn, could harm the message of thegospel. He clarifies that by addressingthe topic of payment, he is not presenting a subtle hint that he wishes toreverse his policy and begin receiving compensation. God has placed an irresistible call on hislife to preach. To do so is for Paul nota voluntary enterprise for which he deserves remuneration from his listenersbut a God-given responsibility whose reward is the opportunity to do so withoutdemanding payment. While there weretimes in Paul’s ministry that he accepted money from churches (for example, hespeaks of this in his letter to the Philippians), he never demanded or expectedit.
Paul did not include this subject in hisletter to make people feel sorry for him. He was illustrating that when he encouraged them to lay aside certainliberties, he himself was already doing what he was asking them to do.
The reward forwhat we do for you, Lord, is built into the doing of it. Amen.
Friday, February 7 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
“I try to findcommon ground with everyone”
Whatever Paul does, he wants to clear theground of unnecessary obstacles that might hinder unbelievers from coming toChrist. The main thought of these versesis essentially stated six times: to win or save “as many as possible,” “theJews,” “those under the law,” “those not having the law,” “the weak,” and“some.” Freedom from human entanglementsallows Paul to give the best possible service to the widest range ofpeople. Already having mentioned “the Jews,”“those under the law” probably include Gentile God-fearers and proselytes toJudaism. “Those not having the law”refers to Gentiles apart from any Jewish influence.
Paul understands that with the death ofChrist the age of the Law has come to an end. The Hebrew Scriptures are still relevant for followers of Jesus but onlyas they are interpreted in light of what Christ has done. Nevertheless, to Jews and others under theLaw, Paul at times acts as if he is still subject to all of the laws of Moses,so long as it is clear that his actions are not a requirement of salvation orspiritual maturity in any way.
It is a blessing, Lord, to share the gospeland see people saved from sin. Amen.
Saturday, February 8 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Run the[Christian] race with purpose”
Corinth hosted one of the most famous ofthe Greek athletic events, second only to the Olympic Games. What Christians and athletes have in commonis the need for strict discipline and strenuous training. But Paul felt that the Christian race wasdifferent in at least two ways. Thecrown the athletes received was a wreath which soon wilted, while the reward ofthe faithful Christian would last forever. Also, in the competitions only one person could win, while in theKingdom of God, every child of God has the potential for success.
Paul reminds us that we are all human andneed to be continually aware of the discipline needed to do well what God hascalled us to. Otherwise, the temptationsthat arise from within ourselves, as well as those that the world offers, willsidetrack us from doing the Lord’s will. Paul began this chapter with the ringing declaration that he is free,but he closes it with the somber reminder that he is also human and needs to becontinually on guard that he not misuse his freedom.
Iwill live with disciplined purpose, Lord, that I may run the race well. Amen.