This chapter is largely about Paul defending his work and the work of the other apostles, and it seems like he is defending their right to earn some money and make a living as evangelists. This is an important topic, but for me, the part that really jumped out at me this morning is between v19 and the end of the chapter.
In verses 19-23, we see a great mantra, in a sense. I am going to read it:
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.
Paul really likes these statements where he states his limits and his personal boundary...we have talked about 6:12. where he says, 12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything; and this is similar, where he says he is free, but that he has bound himself to servanthood. That is awesome. And that’s OUR calling...to bind ourselves, of our own free will and out of love of what’s been done for us, by Christ, at the cross, to serve others, to love others. We are called to love others because of Christ’s love for us, and not because they do or don’t deserve it. We are called to be in the world...to adapt to their needs, to meet them where they are...all said so well by Paul in this text. In the world, not of the world - focused on expanding our influence for the sake of Christ...that is our calling in this world.
And then we get to some of the more famous verses, which I will also read: 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. Remember back in the introduction, part 2 of background, when we said that during this time there was an athletic event call the Isthmian Games? These were like the Olympics, second only to the Olympics and popularity, and they took place right there in Corinth. And we said that Corinth didn’t have shelter for all the people who would flock to see these, so they would utilize tent makers. Well, Paul and his hosts, Pricilla and Aquila were, wait for it...tent makers, and they were right there in the midst of all of this action. They positioned themselves in the middle of the action so they could gain influence. This language we see here in these verses is Paul’s doing exactly what he is teaching...he was leveraging culture to make his case for Christ.
Am I leveraging my influence and my resources for Christ? Am I following Paul in that way? Great thoughts for today!