1 Corinthians 9:1
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?
Am I not free?
The word "free" in Greek is "ἐλεύθερος" (eleutheros), which signifies liberty and independence. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul is asserting his freedom in Christ, a freedom from the constraints of the law and human traditions. This freedom is foundational to the Christian faith, emphasizing that believers are liberated from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Historically, this freedom was a radical concept in a world dominated by slavery and social hierarchies, highlighting the transformative power of the Gospel.

Am I not an apostle?
The term "apostle" comes from the Greek "ἀπόστολος" (apostolos), meaning "one who is sent out." Paul is affirming his role as a divinely appointed messenger of the Gospel. His apostleship is not self-proclaimed but is rooted in a direct commission from Christ. This assertion is crucial in establishing his authority to the Corinthian church, which was questioning his credentials. The role of an apostle was foundational in the early church, tasked with spreading the teachings of Jesus and establishing Christian communities.

Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
The phrase "seen Jesus our Lord" refers to Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, as recorded in Acts 9. The Greek word "ὁράω" (horao) implies not just physical sight but a deeper, spiritual revelation. This encounter was pivotal for Paul, transforming him from a persecutor of Christians to a passionate apostle. It underscores the reality of the resurrection and the personal relationship believers can have with Jesus. Paul's testimony serves as a powerful witness to the truth of the Gospel.

Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
The phrase "result of my work in the Lord" highlights the fruit of Paul's ministry. The Greek word for "work" is "ἔργον" (ergon), which denotes labor, effort, and toil. Paul is pointing to the Corinthian believers as evidence of his apostolic labor and the effectiveness of his ministry. This statement emphasizes the importance of spiritual fruitfulness and the transformative impact of the Gospel. It also reflects the communal aspect of faith, where the growth and maturity of believers are seen as a testament to faithful ministry.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is defending his apostleship and the freedom he has in Christ.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its moral and spiritual challenges. Paul writes to them to address various issues and to affirm his authority as an apostle.

3. Jesus our Lord
Central to Paul's argument is his encounter with the risen Christ, which is foundational to his claim of apostleship.

4. Apostleship
A key theme in this verse, referring to Paul's role and authority as one sent by Christ to preach the Gospel.

5. Paul's Work in the Lord
Refers to the ministry and efforts Paul has invested in the Corinthian church, which serves as evidence of his apostleship.
Teaching Points
Freedom in Christ
Paul begins by asserting his freedom, which is a reminder that believers are free in Christ. This freedom should be exercised responsibly and in love.

Validation of Apostleship
Paul’s defense of his apostleship is rooted in his personal encounter with Jesus. This teaches us the importance of a personal relationship with Christ as the foundation of our ministry.

Fruit of Ministry
The Corinthian believers are the evidence of Paul’s work in the Lord. Our lives and ministries should bear fruit that testifies to God’s work through us.

Authority and Service
Paul’s authority as an apostle is not for personal gain but for serving the church. True leadership in the church is marked by service and sacrifice.

Identity in Christ
Paul’s identity and authority are derived from his relationship with Christ. Believers should find their identity and purpose in their relationship with Jesus.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul’s assertion of freedom in Christ challenge or affirm your understanding of Christian liberty?

2. In what ways can you relate to Paul’s experience of encountering Jesus and how has it impacted your life and ministry?

3. What evidence of spiritual fruit can you identify in your life that demonstrates God’s work through you?

4. How can you balance the authority and responsibility you have in your roles within the church or community?

5. Reflect on your identity in Christ. How does this identity influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 9
Describes Paul's conversion and encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, which is the basis for his claim of having seen the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:8-10
Paul further elaborates on his apostleship and the grace of God that enabled him to work harder than the other apostles.

Galatians 1:11-12
Paul emphasizes that his gospel message is not from man but received through a revelation of Jesus Christ, reinforcing his authority.
Bunyan -- the Heavenly FootmanVarious1 Corinthians 9:1
Third Sunday Before LentMartin Luther1 Corinthians 9:1
Signs of ApostleshipJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2
The Rights of ApostleshipR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2
The Marks of ApostleshipH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 9:1-3
How St. Paul Regarded His Apostleship and its RightsC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 9:1-14
The Support of the MinistryE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 9:1-15
A True MinisterA. F. Barfield.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Abstinence from Rightful PrivilegesF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Maintenance of the MinistryM. Dods, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Ministerial IndependenceJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Signs of ApostleshipProf. J. R. Thomson.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Claims of the Christian MinisterJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Leading Characteristics of a Truly Great Gospel MinisterD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Right of the Ministry to SupportJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Seal of ApostleshipJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Successful MinisterJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
People
Barnabas, Cephas, Christians, Corinthians, Paul, Peter
Places
Corinth
Topics
Apostle, Aren't, Christ, Denied, Free, Haven't, Result, Workmanship, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 9:1

     2224   Christ, the Lord
     5109   Paul, apostle

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

     7026   church, leadership
     7707   apostles, designation
     7708   apostles, function

1 Corinthians 9:1-3

     5944   self-defence

1 Corinthians 9:1-18

     5504   rights

Library
Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How the victor Runs
So run, that ye may obtain.'--1 COR. ix. 24. 'So run.' Does that mean 'Run so that ye obtain?' Most people, I suppose, superficially reading the words, attach that significance to them, but the 'so' here carries a much greater weight of meaning than that. It is a word of comparison. The Apostle would have the Corinthians recall the picture which he has been putting before them--a picture of a scene that was very familiar to them; for, as most of us know, one of the most important of the Grecian
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

'Concerning the Crown'
'They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we are incorruptible.'--1 COR. ix. 25. One of the most famous of the Greek athletic festivals was held close by Corinth. Its prize was a pine-wreath from the neighbouring sacred grove. The painful abstinence and training of ten months, and the fierce struggle of ten minutes, had for their result a twist of green leaves, that withered in a week, and a little fading fame that was worth scarcely more, and lasted scarcely longer. The struggle and the discipline
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Sin of Silence
'For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! 17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward.'--1 COR. ix. 16, 17. The original reference of these words is to the Apostle's principle and practice of not receiving for his support money from the churches. Gifts he did accept; pay he did not. The exposition of his reason is interesting, ingenuous, and chivalrous. He strongly asserts his right, even
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

A Servant of Men
'For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Preach the Gospel
Now, these words of Paul, I trust, are applicable to many ministers in the present day; to all those who are especially called, who are directed by the inward impulse of the Holy Spirit to occupy the position of gospel ministers. In trying to consider this verse, we shall have three inquiries this morning:--First, What is it to preach the gospel? Secondly, Why is it that a minister has nothing to glorify of? And thirdly, What is that necessity and that woe, of which it is written, "Necessity is laid
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

The Heavenly Race
And now, in entering upon the text, I shall have to notice what it is we are to run for: "So run that ye may obtain;" secondly, the mode of running, to which we must attend--"So run that ye may obtain;" and then I shall give a few practical exhortations to stir those onward in the heavenly race who are flagging and negligent, in order that they may at last "obtain." I. In the first place, then, WHAT IS IT THAT WE OUGHT TO SEEK TO OBTAIN? Some people think they must be religious, in order to be respectable.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
John Bunyan was born in the village of Elstow, near Bedford, England, in 1628. Because of his fearless preaching he was imprisoned in Bedford jail from 1660 to 1672, and again for six months in 1675, during which latter time it is said his wonderful "Pilgrim's Progress" was written. While his sermons in their tedious prolixity share the fault of his time, they are characterized by vividness, epigrammatic wit, and dramatic fervor. The purity and simplicity of his style have been highly praised, and
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Vol. 2

Against Vain Judgments of Men
"My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers;
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the Fruits or Effects of virtue and vice,
so reasonable in itself, and so absolutely necessary for the vindication of the honour of God, the nature of things, and the constitution and order of God's creation, was originally such, that the observance of the eternal rules of justice, equity, and goodness, does indeed of itself tend by direct and natural consequence to make all creatures happy, and the contrary practice to make them miserable; yet since, through some great and general corruption and depravation, (whencesoever that may have
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality
AN ESSAY ON THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE OF IMMORTALITY BY THE REV. JAMES CHALLIS, M.A., F.R.S., F.R.A.S. PLUMIAN PROFESSOR OF ASTRONOMY AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, AND FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE. Anagke gar moi epikeitai ouai gar moi estin, ean me euaggelzumai --1 Cor. ix. 16 RIVINGTONS London, Oxford, and Cambridge MDCCCLXXX RIVINGTONS London . . . . . . Waterloo Place Oxford . . . . . . Magdalen Street Cambridge . . . . Trinity Street [All rights reserved]
James Challis—An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality

Concerning Christian Liberty
CHRISTIAN faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do, because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation. While he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write,
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

The Edict of Banishment, 1729-1736.
But Zinzendorf was not long allowed to tread the primrose path of peace. As the news of his proceedings spread in Germany, many orthodox Lutherans began to regard him as a nuisance, a heretic, and a disturber of the peace; and one critic made the elegant remark: "When Count Zinzendorf flies up into the air, anyone who pulls him down by the legs will do him a great service." He was accused of many crimes, and had many charges to answer. He was accused of founding a new sect, a society for laziness;
J. E. Hutton—History of the Moravian Church

But He Speaks More Openly in the Rest which He Subjoins...
9. But he speaks more openly in the rest which he subjoins, and altogether removes all causes of doubting. "If we unto you," saith he, "have sown spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" What are the spiritual things which he sowed, but the word and mystery of the sacrament of the kingdom of heaven? And what the carnal things which he saith he had a right to reap, but these temporal things which are indulged to the life and indigency of the flesh? These however
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Hence Arises Another Question; for Peradventure one May Say...
23. Hence arises another question; for peradventure one may say, "What then? did the other Apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas, sin, in that they did not work? Or did they occasion an hindrance to the Gospel, because blessed Paul saith that he had not used this power on purpose that he might not cause any hindrance to the Gospel of Christ? For if they sinned because they wrought not, then had they not received power not to work, but to live instead by the Gospel. But if they had received
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your Shoulders...
37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying them upon your shoulders, while we with a finger will not touch them. Seek out, and acknowledge the labor of our occupations, and in some of us the infirmities of our bodies also, and in the Churches which we serve, that custom now grown up, that they do not suffer us to have time ourselves for those works to which we exhort you. For though we might say, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

And He Comes Back Again, and in all Ways...
10. And he comes back again, and in all ways, over and over again, enforceth what he hath the right to do, yet doeth not. "Do ye not know," saith he, "that they which work in the temple, eat of the things which are in the temple? they which serve the altar, have their share with the altar? So hath the Lord ordained for them which preach the Gospel, to live of the Gospel. But I have used none of these things." [2500] What more open than this? what more clear? I fear lest haply, while I discourse wishing
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

But Now, that as Bearing with the Infirmity of Men He did This...
12. But now, that as bearing with the infirmity of men he did this, let us hear what follows: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. To them that are under the law, I became as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law." [2505] Which thing he did, not with craftiness
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
41. There resulteth then from all these this sentence, that a lie which doth not violate the doctrine of piety, nor piety itself, nor innocence, nor benevolence, may on behalf of pudicity of body be admitted. And yet if any man should propose to himself so to love truth, not only that which consists in contemplation, but also in uttering the true thing, which each in its own kind of things is true, and no otherwise to bring forth with the mouth of the body his thought than in the mind it is conceived
St. Augustine—On Lying

The Great Synod Has Stringently Forbidden any Bishop, Presbyter...
The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon, or any one of the clergy whatever, to have a subintroducta dwelling with him, except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons only as are beyond all suspicion. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon III. No one shall have a woman in his house except his mother, and sister, and persons altogether beyond suspicion. Justellus. Who these mulieres subintroductæ were does not sufficiently appear...but they were neither wives
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

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