1 Corinthians 9:1

οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐλεύθερος; This question, arising out of the foregoing §, properly comes first. The freedom supposed is that of principle; in 1 Corinthians 9:19 it will take a personal complexion. P. is no longer bound by Mosaic restrictions in the matters under dispute (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:21; 1 Corinthians 10:29; Galatians 2:4; Galatians 4:12; Galatians 5:1); he holds the right belonging to every emancipated Christian. Far beyond this reaches the question, οὐκ εἰμὶ ἀπόστολος; which P. answers by putting two other questions, one to his own consciousness, the other to that of his readers: “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?” Ἰησοῦν … ἑόρακα (cf. Acts 7:55; Acts 9:5; Acts 9:17; Acts 22:8; Acts 26:15) is a unique expression with P.; it describes not a spiritual apprehension, the γνῶναι Χοιστὸν of the believer, nor the ecstatic visions which he had sometimes enjoyed in a state of trance (2 Corinthians 12:1 ff.), but that actual beholding of the human and glorified Redeemer which befell him on the way to Damascus; from this dated both his faith and his mission (Acts 9:1-32; Galatians 1:10-17). Paul seldom uses “Jesus” as the name of our Lord distinctively, always with specific ref [1276] to the historical Person (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1Co 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Ephesians 4:21; Philippians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 4:10-14). The visible and glorious man who then appeared, declared Himself as “Jesus”; from that instant Saul knew that he had seen the crucified Jesus risen and reigning. Asking of his new-found Lord, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” he received the command out of which his commission unfolded itself. Personal knowledge of the Lord and a “word from His mouth” (Acts 22:14) were necessary to constitute an Apostle in the primary sense, the immediate “emissary” of Jesus (cf. Mark 3:13; Acts 1:21 f.); in virtue of this experience, P. classes himself with “the other App.” (1 Corinthians 15:7 ff., Galatians 1:16 f.); his right to do so was in due time acknowledged by them (Galatians 2:6-9). The great interview, in its full import, was Paul's own secret; his Apostolic power, derived therefrom, was manifest to the whole world (2 Corinthians 3:1 ff; 2 Corinthians 12:12), the Cor [1277] Church supplying a conspicuous proof.

[1276] reference.

[1277] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.