Worthy of His Calling
May the peace of God be multiplied unto you today!
Paul has just expressed some direct words about the fact that his apostleship from the Lord is valid in every way. The very fact that the church in Corinth exists is proof of God using him in the position of an apostle to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentile world.
It is obvious from Paul’s statements that there are some in Corinth who are questioning Paul’s authority as an apostle. Sadly, this was not uncommon in the early years of the Christian faith. There were always an abundance of false teachers who would enter into the church and seek to undercut the teaching of the apostles for their own ends. Paul is laying out his calling in our text.
My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock? 1 Corinthians 9:3-7
In this text Paul expressed the fact that he and Barnabas gave of themselves for the Gospel ministry in ways the other leaders of the church did not. They chose freely to go above and beyond the normal understanding of the calling of the servants of God. When Paul writes, “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock?” he is expressing what is a common understanding of any day and age. When someone sets out to give of themselves in any service, it is understood that the work they do will provide what they need for their personal existence. In other words, a worker is worthy of his hire!
To affirm this position, Paul gives a list of notable individuals who are serving in the Gospel ministry and living by the same Gospel ministry. He states all the apostles, and then includes specifically the “brothers of our Lord,” along with “Cephas.” Included in this statement is the phrase, Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife?
So, lets clarify what Paul has just told us! First, those who devote their lives to the Gospel ministry should be supported from the same Gospel ministry. Secondly, it is perfectly acceptable for the servants of the Lord to have spouses. Third, Jesus had brothers!
First, those who work the ministry should live by the ministry! This has never been in question, but it has not always been kept in balance. Those who serve as full time pastors and ministers should be paid a wage which allows them to live and provide for their family, as any job should. The issue comes when a minister is paid at a poverty level existence or the other extreme.
Far too many men have devoted their lives to God’s service only to be taken advantage of by the ones they serve. Low pay, little or no benefits, and no retirement has led to many retired ministers and sadly, their widows, to live at beggars in our world. This is shameful and a tragedy of the greatest proportion. However, the other extreme is equally shameful! When a minister becomes a millionaire or as some, a multi-millionaire they bring shame to the name of Christ. To be focused on the things of this world reveals a hypocritical message to the world and turns people away from Christ.
The general rule of thumb which a Christian congregation should understand is that the pastor should be compensated according to the median average of the members of the church. There should also be consideration for vacation and retirement comparable to any other professional in our society.
Secondly, there is no rule given by God that a minister must be married, or that he must be single. Sadly, there are churches which insist a minister must be married, and there are those who say that singleness is required. Paul’s point is that each one of them has “the right” to take along a believing wife if they desire to do so! If a church or church body insists on one or the other, that group has created a rule which does not exist in Scripture. When the Roman church insists that Peter was the first pope and that all priests must be celibate, they have denied the words of Paul that Cephas (Peter) had a wife! This is also confirmed by the fact that Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14).
Thirdly, Jesus had brothers which means that while Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and until He was born, she did not remain a virgin for life. There are multiple passages in the Gospels which speak of Jesus’ brothers, and their names are identified in the following passage; Mark 6:3 “Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren't His sisters here with us?”
James the brother of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. As the persecutions intensified and many Christians fled, and as the apostles embarked on their missionary journeys, James remained in Jerusalem to give guidance. Jude who penned the book of Jude in the New Testament is the same Jude identified in Mark’s Gospel, identified as Judas.
The doctrines which have evolved concerning Mary and her perpetual virginity which eventually led to her own state of sinlessness, her ascension, and her ability to intercede on behalf of Christians before God, are all beliefs which are beyond and outside of Scripture.
As a final thought, Paul is concerned that the church have a proper understanding and give proper care for those who give leadership in the Church. As in all things of God, we must learn to speak where Scripture speaks and be silent where Scripture is silent, and in all things be faithful to what God has revealed. When we do this, we will be blessed by God.
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
Paul has just expressed some direct words about the fact that his apostleship from the Lord is valid in every way. The very fact that the church in Corinth exists is proof of God using him in the position of an apostle to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentile world.
It is obvious from Paul’s statements that there are some in Corinth who are questioning Paul’s authority as an apostle. Sadly, this was not uncommon in the early years of the Christian faith. There were always an abundance of false teachers who would enter into the church and seek to undercut the teaching of the apostles for their own ends. Paul is laying out his calling in our text.
My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working? Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock? 1 Corinthians 9:3-7
In this text Paul expressed the fact that he and Barnabas gave of themselves for the Gospel ministry in ways the other leaders of the church did not. They chose freely to go above and beyond the normal understanding of the calling of the servants of God. When Paul writes, “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock?” he is expressing what is a common understanding of any day and age. When someone sets out to give of themselves in any service, it is understood that the work they do will provide what they need for their personal existence. In other words, a worker is worthy of his hire!
To affirm this position, Paul gives a list of notable individuals who are serving in the Gospel ministry and living by the same Gospel ministry. He states all the apostles, and then includes specifically the “brothers of our Lord,” along with “Cephas.” Included in this statement is the phrase, Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife?
So, lets clarify what Paul has just told us! First, those who devote their lives to the Gospel ministry should be supported from the same Gospel ministry. Secondly, it is perfectly acceptable for the servants of the Lord to have spouses. Third, Jesus had brothers!
First, those who work the ministry should live by the ministry! This has never been in question, but it has not always been kept in balance. Those who serve as full time pastors and ministers should be paid a wage which allows them to live and provide for their family, as any job should. The issue comes when a minister is paid at a poverty level existence or the other extreme.
Far too many men have devoted their lives to God’s service only to be taken advantage of by the ones they serve. Low pay, little or no benefits, and no retirement has led to many retired ministers and sadly, their widows, to live at beggars in our world. This is shameful and a tragedy of the greatest proportion. However, the other extreme is equally shameful! When a minister becomes a millionaire or as some, a multi-millionaire they bring shame to the name of Christ. To be focused on the things of this world reveals a hypocritical message to the world and turns people away from Christ.
The general rule of thumb which a Christian congregation should understand is that the pastor should be compensated according to the median average of the members of the church. There should also be consideration for vacation and retirement comparable to any other professional in our society.
Secondly, there is no rule given by God that a minister must be married, or that he must be single. Sadly, there are churches which insist a minister must be married, and there are those who say that singleness is required. Paul’s point is that each one of them has “the right” to take along a believing wife if they desire to do so! If a church or church body insists on one or the other, that group has created a rule which does not exist in Scripture. When the Roman church insists that Peter was the first pope and that all priests must be celibate, they have denied the words of Paul that Cephas (Peter) had a wife! This is also confirmed by the fact that Jesus healed his mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14).
Thirdly, Jesus had brothers which means that while Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived and until He was born, she did not remain a virgin for life. There are multiple passages in the Gospels which speak of Jesus’ brothers, and their names are identified in the following passage; Mark 6:3 “Isn't this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren't His sisters here with us?”
James the brother of Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. As the persecutions intensified and many Christians fled, and as the apostles embarked on their missionary journeys, James remained in Jerusalem to give guidance. Jude who penned the book of Jude in the New Testament is the same Jude identified in Mark’s Gospel, identified as Judas.
The doctrines which have evolved concerning Mary and her perpetual virginity which eventually led to her own state of sinlessness, her ascension, and her ability to intercede on behalf of Christians before God, are all beliefs which are beyond and outside of Scripture.
As a final thought, Paul is concerned that the church have a proper understanding and give proper care for those who give leadership in the Church. As in all things of God, we must learn to speak where Scripture speaks and be silent where Scripture is silent, and in all things be faithful to what God has revealed. When we do this, we will be blessed by God.
In Christ,
Pastor Russ
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