1 CORINTHIANS 9:18-27 - WEEK 3 - WE OVER ME

WEEK 3 - WE OVER ME

Thursday

1 CORINTHIANS 9:18-27

18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN

Paul’s argument that began in chapter 8 seems to target those members of the Corinthian church who enjoy greater wealth and social prestige, who also are most enamored of their freedom to do what they like: to them, Paul says, in effect, “No, for the sake of the gospel you must exercise self-restraint. You must discipline yourself for the sake of the greater good of building up the community in love.” Let’s think about the text in light of that.

QUESTIONS

What does Paul mean “I become all things to all people” by the examples he uses?

Why does Paul use the example of an athlete? What does he equate between an athlete and a follower of Jesus?

Looking at your life in this season, what are some “aimless” habits or patterns that hold you back from being an effective minister to those around you?

Robert Zima