1 Corinthians 9 - Introduction

FIRST CORINTHIANS-CHAPTER NINE

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN

I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER NINE:

I. In Defense of Being An Apostle: 1 Corinthians 9:1-3

II. In Defense of Being Financially Supported: 1 Corinthians 9:4-14

III. Defending His "Right" Not To Use His "Rights": 1 Corinthians 9:15-23

IV. Self-Control Is Also Demanded In the Realm of Personal Liberty: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

II. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER NINE:

'At first sight this chapter seems disconnected from what goes before but in point of fact it is not. The whole point of it lies in this--the Corinthians who considered themselves mature and advanced Christians have been claiming that they are in such. privileged position that they are free to eat meat offered to idols if they like..Paul's way of answering that argument is to set forth the many privileges which he himself had. perfect right to claim, but which he did not claim lest they should turn out to be stumbling-blocks to others and hindrances to the effectiveness of the gospel.' [Note:. Barclay p. 86]

'The last thing which Paul said in 1 Corinthians 8:13 was, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,. will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest. make my brother to offend." This chapter contains. discussion which is designed to show that this had been Paul's own rule of life in his work as an evangelist. Thus, when Paul wrote what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:13, he was not citing. rule which he himself would not keep; he was citing his own rule of life.' [Note:. Willis p. 277]

'The principle of self-denying love which Paul has just applied to the practice of eating idol meats is so important that he elaborates it by using himself as an example.' [Note:. Lenski p. 350]

In addition:

'Morris is correct in saying that chapter. is not. change of topic. There were those at Corinth who disputed Paul's apostleship (1 Corinthians 9:1;. Corinth. 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 13:3) and they used his refusal to accept wages of them as. sign of. guilty conscience (1 Corinthians 9:2ff; 1 Corinthians 11:5ff; 1 Corinthians 12:13-18). So he kills two birds with one stone. He claims apostleship and insists on his right to financial support...Then he explains why he didn't exercise that right (15-27).' [Note:. McGuiggan p. 127]

III. COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER NINE: