The Real Deal

Introduction

Rights. We have heard about this subject for years. It is popular politically about guaranteeing certain rights. Our Constitution establishes certain political rights and over the past two centuries, these rights have been expanded. But those initial rights forged out in our Constitution guarantee certain rights to us as Americans. Living in a nation that touts freedom as a cornerstone of what we do, we find ourselves at times kicking against any loss of freedom. After 9/11, we have seen lessening of freedom at airports for instance. As a nation we have agreed to lesser freedom in order to maximize the freedom to travel.

Two weeks ago Frank talked about 1 Cor. 8 and Paul telling the Corinthians to give up the right to eat meat sacrificed to idols so that fellow believers who did not understand the full freedom one has in Christ would not stumble. Chapters 9 & 10 continue this thought. Chapter 9 is an extended point about giving up rights. Paul uses his own life as an example of how the Corinthians should change their thinking.

Enslaved by Choice

In verses 1-18, Paul speaks about the rights he has an apostle and preacher. He has the right to get paid for preaching. He has the right to bring his wife (if he had one) with him and expect that she be taken care of as well. But he has freely and willingly given up those rights for one main purpose — so that the gospel can be preached without hindrance. He didn’t take money from the Corinthians because he didn’t want to be perceived as sharing the gospel for profit. He could have received money but he refused it. Paul was demonstrating from the beginning of their relationship that he was willing to work hard (making tents) while preaching the gospel.

In Paul’s day, philosophers and teachers made their living by traveling around and benefactors paid for their teaching. This arrangement allowed for an inner circle to form and for the philosopher or teacher to benefit in multiple ways — money and status primarily. Paul refused to play this game. And in a city where money and status mattered, Paul chooses instead to identify with the lowly — those who work hard and have little to show in status and prosperity. Back in 1:26 and following, Paul began this letter reminding his readers that they had nothing to boast about. By far most of the believers were poor, without status, and certainly without influence in the world. It was Jesus who lifted them not in status and influence but in terms of helping them see that there is something beyond this life.

The political games of life are not played among God’s people. This is Paul’s point. He refused to play the game of the world and he calls on the Corinthians to follow his example (11:1). Paul willingly and freely gave up his rights so that the gospel could advance. In verses 19-23, Paul elaborates on his freedom. He is a free man and is not unduly influenced by anyone’s money or status. So what does Paul do as a free man? He enslaves himself to everyone so that the gospel can be shared. This is the paradox of our faith. This is where our faith reveals itself. Paul is not wishy-washy. He isn’t driven by the group he is with. He is driven by the gospel. That is what he wants. In order to get a hearing, he will take on the role that he needs to so that Jew or Gentile, weak or strong can hear the gospel.

Paul is a Jew so how does he become a Jew so that the gospel can be heard? There were times that Paul allowed himself to be disciplined by the Jews so that the Jews could hear the gospel. It was Paul’s practice to go to Jewish synagogues and preach. And it was in these synagogues that Paul often found himself in trouble emotionally and physically. In 2 Corinthians 11:24, Paul says 5 times he received from the Jews 39 lashes. Not once or twice but 5 times, Paul enslaved himself to Jewish discipline because he preached the gospel. He was not a glutton for punishment; he was passionate about the gospel. He lived like a Gentile so that he could approach Gentiles about the gospel. He worked with his hands to identify with the weak. He could be a philosopher among the strong as he was in Athens (Acts 17) in order for the gospel to be heard. Everything was about the gospel.

There is ingrained in us an American attitude that isn’t easily overcome. Having grown up in this culture, this attitude is forged early in life. It is the attitude that “as long as I don’t hurt anyone, I can do whatever I want. No one can keep me from doing what I want. I have the right to live life as I please. You do your thing and I will do mine.” This attitude becomes a part of us because it is the attitude of the American spirit. There are benefits to this view but there are also weaknesses. One of the weaknesses of this attitude is that it inhibits our interaction with others. There is little accountability and when one tries accountability, we demand that they mind their own business. The weakness is pride. C.S. Lewis called it the complete anti-God state of mind.

You cannot tell me what to do. I am my own person. I am self-sufficient and capable. I need no one and if I do I will ask for it. It is in our pride that we expect more of others and look down our noses at those who do not measure up. It is in our pride that we look for ways to elevate ourselves and demean others. It is in our pride that we refuse to lower ourselves even if it helps another person rise. It is in our pride that measure ourselves against others to determine our worth and value. It is in our pride that status and influence matters. This is the American attitude and it is ingrained in us as a culture and this attitude is counter to the attitude that God wants us to have.

It is the attitude that is found in Corinth and it is the attitude that Paul corrects. Paul expects these believers to follow his example.

Counterfeit

Paul’s final point in this chapter, he will continue the thought in chapter 10, is to illustrate his point through athletics. The athlete was revered in Paul’s day just as athletes are today. There was a lot of honor and prestige in running the races of Paul’s day. The athlete trained with singular focus. The idea was to win the race and along with that the accolades of an adoring public. The athlete trained with vigor and with great discipline. With laser focus, the athlete trained dreaming of the finish line. Paul says we are in a spiritual race. There isn’t only one winner but any believer who has the same discipline can win the crown. Not a laurel that eventually wilts and dies but a crown that lasts forever.

But Paul isn’t just pushing these believers. He says he pushes himself as well. It isn’t enough for Paul to preach. He is affected by the message as well. Paul says he pushes himself so that he will not be disqualified for the prize. The word “disqualified” is an interesting word. It means to be proven false. The word is used to describe coinage that isn’t real. It can also mean unfit or counterfeit. This is the point. Paul says I give up my rights in order for the gospel to get a hearing. Additionally, Paul says he lives by the gospel. He isn’t just preaching a message for others to follow. He follows it as well. Failure to do so means he is counterfeit.

Invitation.

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