NOTES for Co1 9:1-14

In this passage Paul continues the theme of the preceding one: he reminds the Corinthians that he too has to give up his freedom for the sake of love.

At first we hear echoes of accusations against Paul and of some brothers’ doubts about the authenticity of his apostleship. We see that Paul has to make some effort to accept that not everyone recognizes the fruits of his ministry. How could we, who always want the fruits of our ministry to be visible to everyone, fail to understand him? We are reading an epistle written by a living person, not by some stereotyped figure.

Having defended his apostleship, Paul explains to the Corinthians that by every logic, both human and divine, the one who proclaims the Gospel has the right to “live by the Gospel.” Yet he renounces this right, which the Apostle so admirably justifies and so clearly recognizes as his own. Absurd? No: it is logic, but the logic of the Kingdom of God, where love for one’s neighbor matters more than making sure that no one infringes upon my inalienable rights. What did it mean for Paul not to live at the expense of the Christian communities he founded? We read about this in another epistle: “working night and day, so that we might not burden any of you...” (1 Thess 2:9).

Paul apparently hopes that when the Corinthians remember his self-sacrifice, it will be easier for them to give up their freedom to eat food offered to idols if it tempts their brother (giving up such food could also mean losing a material advantage, since such meat was often distributed free of charge at pagan temples).

We see that Paul truly imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1). Christ gave up everything for our sake, renounced all His rights, and likewise often met with misunderstanding and ingratitude. Let us remember this when we receive no recognition or are forced, for the sake of love, to give up something that rightfully belongs to us.