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Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
To them that are without law, as without law, ° (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

New Defender's Study Bible Notes

9:5 a sister, a wife. Although Paul had recommended the celibate state as conducive to full-time dedication to the Lord’s service (I Corinthians 7:32-33), he clearly recognized that it was also good to be married (I Corinthians 7:2,38), and that even the apostles had such a right if they so chose. There is no Biblical requirement for a celibate clergy. Peter (same as “Cephas”), for example, had a wife (Matthew 8:14).


9:9 it is written. This passage is quoted from Deuteronomy 25:4. See also I Timothy 5:18. Paul stressed that, even though he had a right to marry, he chose not to for the gospel’s sake. Similarly, he and others who preach the gospel had the right to be supported by those who had profited thereby (I Corinthians 9:14), but he chose not to, in order not to be a stumblingblock to those who needed it (I Corinthians 9:15).


9:14 ordained. The principle that God-called pastors and others who have been called by God to devote full time to the gospel ministry should be supported by those whose income is from secular sources is thus actually an ordinance of God. They may choose, as Paul did on occasion, to support themselves in other ways, but this should not be expected or required of them.


9:22 all things to all men. Paul’s obsession to “gain” people for Christ had constrained him to learn how to approach all types of prospects in terms of their own particular backgrounds and concerns. This can be a great example to modern Christians provided they do not carry it beyond the bounds set by the apostle. That is, his purpose was always “for the gospel’s sake” (I Corinthians 9:23), and it was vital to him that the gospel was not “another gospel” and that the Christ he preached was not “another Jesus” (II Corinthians 11:4). Being “made all things to all men” does not involve compromise of God’s truth concerning Christ and His gospel, as is often the case today. People are not really won to the true Christ and His saving gospel by compromising with the beliefs and behaviors of the ungodly world.


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