Paul by no means denies the right of a minister of the Church to material support from the community in which he carries out his ministry. And yet the apostle himself never used such a right...
Paul by no means denies the right of a minister of the Church to material support from the community in which he carries out his ministry. And yet the apostle himself never used such a right. Not because he considered his ministry unworthy of compensation. He was simply convinced that his apostleship had to be absolutely free from any external, social attachments. Paul earned his living in other ways, without resorting to help from the church communities where he had to spend time and carry out his ministry. The apostle himself speaks of this refusal as his personal choice, not considering it a universal norm for ministers of the Church.
With regard to himself, Paul believes that refusing any compensation or material support from church communities gives him a spiritual freedom and integrity that he would not otherwise have. What does he mean? No genuine ministry is ever merely outward activity, action, or work. It is always derived from a person's inner state, an outward manifestation of his spiritual life.
But from the point of view of society, even if that society is a church community, the matter is precisely work that can be weighed, evaluated, and paid for. Of course, here we are not speaking of ministry as such, but of its outward manifestations; only they are ever weighed, evaluated, and paid for. It is these, unlike the ministry itself, that can be weighed and evaluated and paid for.
As the poet very rightly observed, "inspiration is not for sale, but a manuscript can be sold." Something similar can be said about the payment of a Church minister's labor: it is impossible to sell the ministry itself on the labor market, but some of its fruits can fully become a commodity there. In that case, however, the minister himself will be forced constantly to keep that same market in mind.
Of course, under normal circumstances it will not determine the ministry, but there is no doubt that, for the minister, taking account of the situation there will become an additional attachment to society. This is exactly what Paul wants to avoid. He does not consider it possible for himself to depend materially on his ministry even to the slightest degree. The apostle understands perfectly well that this is his personal choice, which cannot be recommended to everyone as the only possible one, but he himself sees his ministry only in this way, as he says directly and openly.
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9:15 It were better for me to die than - To give occasion to them that seek occasion against me, Co2 11:12.
9:17 Willingly - He seems to mean, without receiving anything. St. Paul here speaks in a manner peculiar to himself. Another might have preached willingly, and yet have received a maintenance from the Corinthians. But if he had received anything from them, he would have termed it preaching unwillingly. And so, in the next verse, another might have used that power without abusing it. But his own using it at all, he would have termed abusing it. A dispensation is intrusted to me - Therefore I dare not refrain.
9:18 What then is my reward - That circumstance in my conduct for which I expect a peculiar reward from my great Master? That I abuse not - Make not an unseasonable use of my power which I have in preaching the gospel.
9:19 I made myself the servant of all - I acted with as self - denying a regard to their interest, and as much caution not to offend them, as if I had been literally their servant or slave. Where is the preacher of the gospel who treads in the same steps?
9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew - Conforming myself in all things to their manner of thinking and living, so far as; I could with innocence. To them that are under the law - Who apprehend themselves to be still bound by the Mosaic law. As under the law - Observing it myself, while I am among them. Not that he declared this to be necessary, or refused to converse with those who did not observe it. This was the very thing which he condemned in St. Peter, Gal 2:14.
9:21 To them that are without the law - The heathens. As without the law - Neglecting its ceremonies. Being not without the law to God - But as much as ever under its moral precepts.Under the law to Christ - And in this sense all Christians will be under the law for ever.
9:22 I became as weak - As if I had been scrupulous too.I became all things to all men - Accommodating myself to all, so far as I could consistent with truth and sincerity.
9:24 Know ye not that - In those famous games which are kept at the isthmus, near your city. They who run in the foot race all run, though but one receiveth the prize - How much greater encouragement have you to run; since ye may all receive the prize of your high calling!
9:25 And every one that there contendeth is temperate in all things - To an almost incredible degree; using the most rigorous self denial in food, sleep, and every other sensual indulgence. A corruptible crown - A garland of leaves, which must soon wither. The moderns only have discovered that it is "legal" to do all this and more for an eternal crown than theydid for a corruptible!
9:26 I so run, not as uncertainly - I look straight to the goal; I run straight toward it. I cast away every weight, regard not any that stand by. I fight not as one that beateth the air - This is a proverbial expression for a man's missing his blow, and spending his strength, not on his enemy, but on empty air.