1 Corinthians 9-11

1 Corinthians 9

 Paul Gives Up His Rights

• Paul defends his apostleship
• He has rights as an apostle:
  • food and drink
  • marriage
  • financial support
• Uses examples of others who have rights:
  • soldiers
  • farmers
  • shepherds
• “You shall not muzzle an ox…” (Deuteronomy 25:4)
• Though he has these rights, Paul chooses not to use them fully

Paul would rather die than lose the joy of preaching freely

• His reward is offering the gospel without charge

Becoming “All Things to All People”

• Paul adapts himself to different groups:
  • Jews
  • Gentiles
  • weak believers
• He does not compromise the gospel 
• Goal is to win people to Christ

 Running the Race

• Christian life compared to athletic training
• Believers should live with:
  • self-control
  • purpose
  • discipline

Paul disciplines himself so he will not be disqualified after preaching to others

1 Corinthians 10

Israel’s Example and Warnings

• Paul recalls Israel’s blessings in the wilderness:
  • Under the cloud of God
  • Passed through sea
  • manna
  • water from the rock
• Despite blessings, many fell into:
  • idolatry
  • sexual sin
  • testing God
  • grumbling
• These events serve as warnings for believers today
• God will provide a way of escape from temptation
  

Flee Idolatry

• Believers cannot participate in both:
  • the Lord’s table
  • idol worship
• Communion represents fellowship with Christ
  • Idolatry involves fellowship with demons 
• Paul warns against provoking the Lord to jealousy

Freedom Guided by God’s Glory

• “All things are lawful” but not all are helpful
• Christians should seek:
  • the good of others
  • God’s glory
• Eating food is acceptable unless it harms another person’s conscience

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 9

 Paul Gives Up His Rights

• Paul defends his apostleship
• He has rights as an apostle:
  • food and drink
  • marriage
  • financial support
• Uses examples of others who have rights:
  • soldiers
  • farmers
  • shepherds
• “You shall not muzzle an ox…” (Deuteronomy 25:4)
• Though he has these rights, Paul chooses not to use them fully

Paul would rather die than lose the joy of preaching freely

• His reward is offering the gospel without charge

Becoming “All Things to All People”

• Paul adapts himself to different groups:
  • Jews
  • Gentiles
  • weak believers
• He does not compromise the gospel 
• Goal is to win people to Christ

 Running the Race

• Christian life compared to athletic training
• Believers should live with:
  • self-control
  • purpose
  • discipline

Paul disciplines himself so he will not be disqualified after preaching to others

1 Corinthians 10

Israel’s Example and Warnings

• Paul recalls Israel’s blessings in the wilderness:
  • Under the cloud of God
  • Passed through sea
  • manna
  • water from the rock
• Despite blessings, many fell into:
  • idolatry
  • sexual sin
  • testing God
  • grumbling
• These events serve as warnings for believers today
• God will provide a way of escape from temptation
  

Flee Idolatry

• Believers cannot participate in both:
  • the Lord’s table
  • idol worship
• Communion represents fellowship with Christ
  • Idolatry involves fellowship with demons 
• Paul warns against provoking the Lord to jealousy

Freedom Guided by God’s Glory

• “All things are lawful” but not all are helpful
• Christians should seek:
  • the good of others
  • God’s glory
• Eating food is acceptable unless it harms another person’s conscience

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 11

Paul calls believers to imitate him as he imitates Christ (!) 

Head Coverings and Order in Worship

background: In Corinth head coverings communicated social meaning- uncovered or loosened hair could sometimes symbolize:

• rebellion
• sexual impropriety
• dishonor

• Discussion of head coverings and honor/shame in worship
• the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
  • The Greek word is κεφαλή (“head”)
• Main themes:
  • order
  • authority
  • distinction between men and women
  • honoring God in worship practices
• Christ is equal in nature with the Father, yet willingly submits functionally
• a man dishonors his head if he covers it while praying/prophesying, yet a woman dishonors her head if uncovered
• “in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman” 
  • every man is now born through a woman
  • all things come from God

Confusing verse: “That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.”

There are many interpretations.

• angels observe Christian worship
• maintaining a proper order before heavenly beings
• avoiding rebellion/disorder associated with fallen angels

Abuse of the Lord’s Supper

• The Corinthians gather selfishly and divisively
  • Wealthier believers eat while poorer believers go hungry
• Their gatherings harm rather than help

• Paul recounts what Jesus did at the Last Supper
• Bread as Christ’s body
• Cup as new covenant in His blood
• Communion proclaims Christ’s death until He comes

 Examine Yourself! 

• Warning against taking communion in an unworthy manner
• Believers should examine themselves
• Some Corinthians experienced discipline (illness and death because of careless participation

Gatherings should reflect love for one another

Application

We are taught to surrender personal rights for the sake of the gospel and other people. We must flee from sinning ourselves, as well as making others sins.