1 CORINTHIANS 9 — PAUL'S RIGHTS, THE FREEDOM TO SERVE, AND THE PRIZE
Should pastors and missionaries be paid? Study 1 Corinthians 9 with context, apologetic analysis, and cross-references.
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Dr. Lucas D. Shallua Commentary · 1 CORINTHIANS 9 — PAUL'S RIGHTS, THE FREEDOM TO SERVE, AND THE PRIZE
01
The precise difficulties
Should pastors and missionaries be paid?
Is Paul teaching that Christians should be chameleons who compromise their beliefs to fit in?
Does verse 27 teach that a believer can lose his salvation?
What did Paul mean by "under the law of Christ"?
02
Verse and question study
Should pastors and missionaries be paid?
Yes. Paul gives several arguments for this: common sense, the law, the temple example, and the Lord's own command. The principle is that those who devote themselves to the work of the gospel should be supported by the church, which is the standard teaching of the New Testament (1 Timothy 5:17–18). But Paul also shows that a minister may voluntarily choose, in particular circumstances, to forgo support for the sake of the gospel, and this should be a matter of conscience and not a requirement for others.
Is Paul teaching that Christians should be chameleons who compromise their beliefs to fit in?
No. Paul adapts his style, customs, and approach, but he never alters the content of the gospel or violates moral law (see Galatians 2:1–5, where he refused to yield to pressure to circumcise Titus). The principle applies to non-essentials: food, dress, language, and cultural practices. Christians may adapt to reach people, but they may never compromise the truth.
Does verse 27 teach that a believer can lose his salvation?
The word adokimos refers to being disapproved or disqualified, which could mean disqualification from the prize or from further service. Some interpreters understand it as a warning against a false profession of faith, in which no genuine salvation was present. The New Testament teaches the security of believers (John 10:28–29; Romans 8:38–39), and also teaches that perseverance is the mark of genuine faith. Paul himself shows no doubt about his salvation (2 Timothy 4:7–8). The verse is best understood as a warning against spiritual carelessness, which can ruin a ministry and, for those whose faith is not real, exposes the emptiness of their profession.
What did Paul mean by "under the law of Christ"?
It means that Paul lives by the teaching and example of Christ, summed up in love for God and neighbor, and not by the Mosaic law as a system of righteousness. He is free from the law as a means of justification, but not free from moral obligation. The Spirit empowers believers to fulfill the law's righteous requirement (Romans 8:3–4).
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Historical and literary context
This chapter is not a digression from the topic of food offered to idols; it is an example in support of the principle in 8:13. The strong in Corinth were insisting on their right to eat idol meat, and Paul shows that he, too, has rights, but gives them up for love. The chapter also functions as a defense of his apostleship, since some in Corinth were questioning his authority and criticizing his refusal to accept support (compare 2 Corinthians 11:7–12; 12:13–18). In the Greco-Roman world, traveling philosophers and teachers often collected fees, and a teacher who did not charge might be considered of little worth, while one who did could be accused of greed. Paul worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3) and refused patronage in Corinth, a choice that probably put him at odds with the status expectations of some members. The athletic imagery at the end is especially suited to Corinth, which hosted the Isthmian Games, one of the great Panhellenic festivals, held every two years near the city.
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Apologetic note
Paul's refusal of financial support is an important piece of evidence for the sincerity of the early Christian witnesses. In the Greco-Roman world, a traveling teacher who claimed divine revelation often profited from his message, and charlatans were common targets of satire. Paul, by contrast, took a menial job, endured hardship, and refused patronage. His credibility was not built on wealth, status, or manipulation. The apostles' personal sacrifices, including Paul's, are consistent with the claim that they were convinced of the truth of what they preached. People do not typically give up livelihood, security, and reputation for a message they know to be false. Paul's integrity in this matter lends weight to his testimony about the risen Christ (15:3–8).