This month I'd like to look at a verse that has been used to justify the lie that a minister has the right to have relations with an unmarried believing woman. In our day and time this would be referred to as friends with benefits.
2 Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
The scripture I am referring to is in the book of Corinthians. Corinthians is a reproof epistle.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Doctrine teaches us what is right and true. Reproof tells us what we are doing wrong and correction teaches us how to fix it. The Corinthian church was wrongly judging and criticizing the ministry of the apostle Paul.
The verse we will now begin to study has, at times has been removed from its context to teach the lie that a minister of the gospel of Jesus.
Christ has the right to lead about a sister in Christ and have sexual relations with her. Sick as that sounds it happens, and it needs to be addressed.
1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
This verse as it occurs in the KJV appears to be talking about two people. Is it referring to a sister or a wife? Or is it referring to a sister wife; a born again sister, the wife of the minister.
All scripture interprets its self in the verse, in the context, and where it's been used before.
Let's go to the Word itself and let the Word speak as to what this verse is saying. In order to do that we need to read the context and understand what type of epistle Corinthians is.
I already taught you that Corinthians is a reproof epistle. That means God was not happy with how the church was thinking and acting concerning His Word and His ministers.
In chapter 8 Paul exhorts the Corinthians to give up eating certain things in front of new believers, immature believers that may cause them to stumble.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. 10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Following that theme Paul illustrates this principle by how he had given up his own rights. He starts out by listing 4 points to establish his authority as an apostle.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
The first thing he states is that he is an Apostle. The second is that he is free. Number three is that he has seen the Lord Jesus Christ. And the fourth point is that the Corinthians were the fruit of his labor.
He then goes on and points to himself as an example of one who had privileges that he was free, but for the Gospel's sake, did not use them. We have privileges as Christians he states, but we must never use our privileges in such a way that we will hinder the Gospel.
While in Corinth, Paul and Barnabas worked with their own hands and took no support from the church. Paul could have claimed the privilege of financial support from the church but choose not to. He then goes on to illustrate this by citing five arguments.
In verses 1-6 he shows the other apostles, including Peter, received support from the churches and took their wives with them from place to place as they ministered. If other servants had these privileges, then so did Paul.
His second illustration is 3 fold. He covers it from a military, farmer, and a shepherd viewpoint.
1 Corinthians 9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Paul, wanting to reach as many as he can, chooses these 3 analogies to explain God's Word to the church concerning his ministers. He said no soldier supports himself, but receives supplies and wages from his government. The farmer who works in the vineyard is privileged to eat the fruit. And the shepherd expects to get milk and meat from the flock. Is it unreasonable to expect a local church then to support the pastor?
For his third illustration he refers to the Old Testament.
1 Corinthians 9:8-11 8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
Here Paul refers to Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
The OT practice was to have the oxen walk on the sheaves and thus separate the grain from the chaff. Here, and in 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul uses this custom to illustrate the principle given in verse 11.
1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
If oxen benefit from their physical work, should not God's servants benefit from their spiritual work? The plowman and the harvester both work in hope, expecting to share in the harvest. Do not God's ministers have the same right?
The forth example he uses concerns the Old Testament priests.
1 Corinthians 9:12-14 12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
The Law allowed the priests to share generously in the sacrifices from the altar. He took the hides from the burnt offerings, all the flesh (minus the fat) from the sin offering and the trespass offering, most of the meal offering, the breast and right shoulder of the peace offering, plus various first fruits, tithes, and special offerings. If they served faithfully, the people shared generously.
Finally he cites the Lord Jesus Christ's command for his closing argument in verse 14.
1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Matthew 10:9-10 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. Luke 10:7-8 7And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house. 8And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Paul personally did not use these privileges; he does not say that they are wrong. "The laborer is worthy of his hire." It is right for Christians to support those who serve them in the Lord. Though he and Barnabas had all these privileges, they did not use them and he gives several reasons to explain why.
1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
More than one Christian worker has soft-pedaled the gospel message because of money. Some pastors dare not offend members who are "heavy givers." Others are afraid of losing their denominational support or insurance. Paul wanted no master but Christ.
To be continued