1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald - His service was neither purposeless nor ineffectual. He had a definite aim before his eyes, and his intention was that his every action should count. There must be no wasted time or energy. The apostle was not interested in wild misses. Jack Arnold on running not without aim - The first athlete Paul picks out is the runner, probably a dash runner, to illustrate how we Christians should run the spiritual life. in the dashes, the Greeks would run with their eyes fixed on a pole at the end of the race (cf "fixing our eyes on Jesus" - Heb 12:2+). Their goal was to reach the pole. Paul was determined to run the race with definite aims, goals and purposes. He made a solemn resolution that be would not run the race aimlessly. Everything he did as a Christian had a definite purpose. He fixed his eyes on the goal which was Christ and gave every ounce of strength to win the race. (see Php 3:13-14+). Paul knew where the finish line was and he was not going to let anyone or anything hinder him from finishing the race. No sin would keep him from the prize. Paul’s point is that if we Christians are not willing to give up rights and press towards the mark, focusing our lives on the goal of pleasing Christ, we will not win the race, and we will miss our rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (ED: THIS BEGS THE QUESTION UNDER GRACE - HOW ARE YOU RUNNING? DON'T MISS THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO RUN WITH GRACE THE RACE OF YOUR LIFE!) Run (5143) (trecho from dremo = to run or walk hastily) means literally to move faster than a walk, making rapid linear movement. To speed on or to make progress. Trecho therefore describes someone in haste (Mt 28:8, Mk 5:6, Jn 20:2, 4, Lk 24:12). Figuratively trecho describes rapid propagation of doctrine, spreading without restraint (2Th 3:1). It also pictures one exerting effort, striving hard, spending strength to attain a goal (Ro 9:16, Gal 5:7, 2:2, Php 2:16, He 12:1). In Gal 5:7 trecho describes the course of the conduct. BDAG characterizes the figurative use of trecho as "to make an effort to advance spiritually or intellectually." Matt. 27:48; Matt. 28:8; Mk. 5:6; Mk. 15:36; Lk. 15:20; Lk. 24:12; Jn. 20:2; Jn. 20:4; Rom. 9:16; 1 Co. 9:24; 1 Co. 9:26; Gal. 2:2; Gal. 5:7; Phil. 2:16; 2 Thess. 3:1; Heb. 12:1; Rev. 9:9 Not without aim (84) (adelos from a = without + delos = evident, plain, manifest) is used only here in the Scriptures and means uncertainly, indistinctly, not aimlessly or as one who has no fixed goal. Paul is saying that he is running with a fixed goal. He is running and boxing with purpose. He runs with a view of the finish line and the precious prize that awaits all who "cross the goal". Zodhiates says adelos means "Uncertainly, irresolutely, without attending to the prescribed marks or lines, without exposure to the spectators who are there to judge the race or the performance. (Remember that Paul places a "not" before adelos so he runs "not uncertainly", "not irresolutely", etc.) Adam
1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald - Paul is saying that he cannot boast in the fact that he preaches the gospel. A divine compulsion is laid upon him. It is not a vocation that he chose for himself. He received the “tap on the shoulder” and he would have been a most miserable man if he had not obeyed the divine commission. This does not mean the apostle was not willing to preach the gospel, but rather that the decision to preach did not come from himself, but from the Lord. (BBC) Hodge - The reason why it was so important to him to refuse all remuneration as a minister was, that although he preached the gospel that was no (kauchema), ground of boasting to him. That he was bound to do, yea, woe was denounced against him unless he did preach it. Nothing could be a ground of boasting, but something which he was free to do, or not to do. He was free to receive or to refuse a remuneration for preaching; and therefore his refusing to do so was a ground of glorying, that is, a proof of integrity to which he could with confidence appeal. Kistemaker - Because Paul was appointed to preach, he did not see that task as a reason for boasting. Instead, his commission from the Lord compelled him to preach. Paul wanted to complete the task which the Lord Jesus had given him, namely, preaching the gospel to both Jews and Greeks.
1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald - If then he could not boast in the fact that he preached the gospel, of what would he boast? Of something that was a matter of his own choice, namely, that he presented the gospel of Christ without charge. This is something he could determine to do. He would preach the gospel to the Corinthians, at the same time earning his own living, so as not to use to the full his right for maintenance in the gospel. To summarize the apostle’s argument here, he is making a distinction between what was obligatory and what was optional. There is no thought of any reluctance in his preaching the gospel. He did that cheerfully. But in a very real sense, it was a solemn obligation that rested upon him. Therefore in the discharge of that obligation there was no reason for his boasting. In preaching the gospel, he could have insisted on his right to financial support, but he did not do this; rather he decided to give the gospel without charge to the Corinthians. Since this was a matter of his own will, he would glory in this. As we have suggested, Paul’s critics claimed that his working as a tentmaker indicated that he did not consider himself to be a true apostle. Here he turns his self-support in such a way as to prove that his apostleship was nonetheless real; in fact, it was of a very high and noble character. ESV Study Bible - Paul preached the gospel in urban centers where itinerant orators were a common sight. Some of them openly used their rhetorical skills to seek fame and fortune. Other more philosophically inclined teachers proclaimed self-discipline and verbally despised the world but sometimes actually pocketed large sums from their followers as they moved from town to town. Paul seeks to distinguish himself from such preachers (cf. 1 Thess. 2:3–5, 9–10). It is recorded elsewhere that Paul used his manual labor to set an example of hard work for new Christians, some of whom had a tendency to take advantage of the charitable impulses of the larger group (1 Thess. 4:11; 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6–9). Without charge (77)(adapanos from a = negative + dapane = cost) literally means without cost. "Without expense or charge, not chargeable (1 Cor. 9:18). Paul does not teach here that a minister of Christ is not entitled to compensation (1 Cor. 9:13, 14). It was Paul’s right to be paid, but he decided to forego this right voluntarily so that his preaching of the gospel might be more effective among the Corinthians." (Zodhiates) BDAG adds " free of charge typical of many Greco-Roman benefactors." Make full use (2710)(katachraomai from kata = against + chraomai = to use) means to make use of use to the uttermost, to use completely. Only other use is 1 Cor 7:31+ = "those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it." BDAG adds "As a rule the prep. gives the simple verb a special coloring (‘make full use of’, ‘misuse’, ‘use up’); in the only two pass. where it occurs in our lit. (both 1 Cor), this word differs little, if at all, fr. the simple verb: use " Ray
1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald - In other words, he was bound to love, honor, serve, and please the Lord Jesus, not now by the Law of Moses, but by the law of love. He was “enlawed” to Christ. We have an expression “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Paul is saying here that when he was with the Gentiles, he adapted himself to their manner of living as far as he could consistently do so and still be loyal to Christ. But we must keep in mind that this passage deals only with cultural things and not with doctrinal or moral matters. Jack Arnold - Paul’s methods might change, but his message never changed. Nor did his morals and ethics change, for he was guided by the law of Christ which is the law of love, and this law is expressed in the moral law of the Old Testament and the moral law of the New Testament. All Christians are under the law; however, that law is not the Mosaic Law but a higher law--the law of Christ. Table Talk - Notice that Paul became all things to all men only in those things indifferent. He never compromised the doctrines of Christ, never watered them down, never sinned against the dictates of God’s law or his conscience for the sake of evangelism. But he did take great pains in those matters of indifference to win others to Christ. It is necessary to stress this point because many have abused this passage to allow for all kinds of ungodliness and for the neglect of proclaiming the full counsel of God. Paul’s duty was to God first, but when it came to his duty before men, he always put others first
1 Coríntios 9
William MacDonald - Verse 22 speaks of those who are weak or overscrupulous. They were excessively sensitive about matters that were really not of fundamental importance. To the weak, Paul became as weak, that he might win them. He would be a vegetarian if necessary rather than offend them by eating meat. In short, Paul became all things to all men, that he might by all means save some. These verses should never be used to justify a sacrifice of scriptural principle. They merely describe a readiness to accommodate to the customs and habits of the people in order to win a hearing for the good news of salvation. When Paul says that I might by all means save some, he does not think for a moment that he could save another person, for he realized that the Lord Jesus was the only Person who could save. At the same time it is wonderful to notice that those who serve Christ in the gospel are so closely identified with Him that He even allows them to use the word save to describe a work in which they are involved. How this exalts and ennobles and dignifies the gospel ministry! Jack Arnold - Paul said,”.. that I might save some." As Dr. D. James Kennedy says, “This statement is enough to shake some hyper-Calvinists right out of their TULIP tree.” Did Paul think he actually saved people? No, but he was so taken up with the plans and purposes of God in salvation that he felt the keen responsibility for being an instrument in the salvation of people. We know Paul pleaded with people, reasoned with people, persuaded people and exhorted people to trust Jesus Christ. He clearly understood that it is God who saves, but he also knew he was an instrument through which the gospel was being preached, and he never gave up on a person’s salvation until God did! Paul was driven in his experience by the realization that Christ does save people and that be could have a part in seeing the lives of men and women gloriously changed. Paul also said, "I might save some.” He never expected everyone he talked to about Christ to respond positively. He did not say "all" or “most” or “many” but “some,” for he knew if he faithfully gave forth the gospel the Holy Spirit would regenerate some and they would believe. He had assurance that some would come to Christ under his ministry if he faithfully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. Our task as Christians is to get the gospel to every person in the world. We are under command and obligation to do it. God will save some whom he pleases, and he pleases to save all who trust in Jesus Christ. This kind of confidence helps the Christian to get his eyes off numbers and to faithfully witness for Christ. Redpath - He maintained his ministry by going anywhere and everywhere, no matter what the situation and surroundings were, to reach people with the message. He crossed over boundaries of prejudice in race and religion to win men and women for Jesus Christ. I do not wish to be uncharitable, but isn’t it sad that in so many instances Christian people move in their own little watertight compartments and never launch out into somebody else’s situation at all? They are locked in; their circle never touches the circles of unbelievers. They move only in their little circle of Christian fellowship; very seldom do they take the plunge outside in order to win another for Christ. I believe perhaps the greatest need of all in our evangelical circles today is that we might have the boldness in Christ to cross some of the barriers that exist to win others for Him. “Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel!” says Paul. Gordon Fee makes a vitally important point in view of the "seeker friendly" movement in America - This passage has often been looked to for the idea of ‘accommodation’ in evangelism, that is, of adapting the message to the language and perspective of the recipients. Unfortunately, despite the need for that discussion to be carried on, this passage does not speak directly to it. This has to do with how one lives or behaves among those whom he wishes to evangelize.” (NICNT-1 Cor) Adam Clarke (1762-1832 - although an older commentator
1 Coríntios 9:27
William MacDonald says it this way - In any event, the passage is an extremely serious one and should cause deep heart-searching on the part of everyone who seeks to serve the Lord Christ. Each one should determine that by the grace of God he will never have to learn the meaning of the word (adokimos) by experience. (MacDonald, W & Farstad, A. Believer's Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson ) Leon