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| 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? |
Am I not an apostle – Paul was one of those twelve specially commissioned of God and recognized of the Church as God's representatives. R1419:3; HG311:5
"He is a chosen vessel unto me." (Acts 9:15) F216; R2823:2
Seen Jesus Christ – His real, glorious, spiritual body. R1873:6
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| 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. |
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| 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, |
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| 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? |
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| 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? |
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| 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? |
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| 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? |
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| 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? |
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| 9 For 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? |
Law of Moses – In whose writings Paul had great confidence; proving that Moses was not a fraud. R3177:5
The priests were not permitted to squeeze the tithes from the people; the people were free to do as they pleased, although the tenth of all increase was demanded by the Law. R1638:5
The saints are typified by the tithe-takers and not by the tithe-payers. R1638:5
Those who give most to the Lord's service are most blest, provided they give it of a grateful, willing heart. Those who are of a willing mind need no prodding. R1638:5, 2500:3, 1822:4
Not muzzle – The ox was to be free to provide for his necessities. F287
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| 10 Or 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. |
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| 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? |
Sown unto you – Each is anxious to serve the other, first with the spiritual and priceless favors, and second with temporal favors as opportunity offers. R1455:5
Your carnal things – To ask earthly remuneration for spiritual services would in no sense violate justice. F287
Refers not to princely salaries, but to bare necessities. F287
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| 12 If 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. |
Not used this power – To demand support. R1638:5
This right over you to require temporal things in exchange for spiritual. F288
Paul and others seem to have strenuously avoided asking or receiving anything from those whom they were seeking to win to Christ. R1822:4
But – On the contrary. R1638:5
Suffer all things – By sacrificing for the truth and for all those who love and serve the truth. R985:4
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| 13 Do 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? |
Of the temple – Greek: hieron, referring to the Temple in Jerusalem. R638:4*
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| 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. |
Live of the gospel – Be supported by it. R548:1
It is the privilege of the Church to support those who are giving their entire time to the ministry. R2500:2; F288
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| 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. |
Used none of these things – If support was not voluntarily rendered, Paul made tents or otherwise labored with his hands. R2500:3, 619:5*
So done unto me – He would not make request for support or any carnal things. R2500:3
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| 16 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! |
Woe – It would be a cause of great distress to me. It would mean a loss of the Lord's favor and blessing. R5893:1
I could not be happy in anything on earth; I would have fire in my bones. CR297:5, R5893:1
The Apostle could not be satisfied except when doing all in his power to make known to all who have the "hearing ear." R5968:1; NS467:5
Under the influence of the Spirit he could take pleasure in nothing else. His own comfort, ease, pleasure, honor or wealth appeared as loss and dross, to be gladly abandoned for being a co-worker with God. R637:2
This does not signify that the Gospel was preached for fear of being tormented after Paul would die. R5968:1, 5893:1
So it should be a great distress to those whom the Lord has granted the illumination of his truth, if the opportunity of preaching the glorious gospel were taken from them. R5893:1
If the disciple of Christ properly appreciates the privilege of being a messenger of God, it would be a woe indeed to him if he could not proclaim the message, to the extent of his ability and opportunity. R5893:2, 637:2; NS562:4
I – A servant of God. CR297:6
Any one of God's consecrated people is a minister, ordained to preach. (Isa. 61:1-3) R5893:1, 670:2
Preach – Declare. R4006:5
Make known. R5893:4
It is the greatest privilege in the world to tell. CR297:5
It may be done by literature sent through the mails, or by handing out a tract, a book, or by preaching from the platform. R5893:4
Some can preach in several ways. Others can preach in nearly every way. Some can preach in very few ways; but all can preach in some way. R5893:5
We still have this opportunity to make known the message of the Kingdom; it is God's method of gathering the Church, and a witness to the world. R5893:4
The gospel – The message of God's grace centered in Christ Jesus. The "good tidings." R5968:1, 5893:4, 4810:1
The goodness of God, the redemptive work of Jesus, and what the terms and conditions are of joint-heirship in the Kingdom. CR297:5
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| 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. |
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| 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. |
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| 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. |
Though I be free – Realizing his liberties in Christ, his freedom from all bondage, as of holy days, new moons, sabbaths, meats, etc. R2118:6
Use not your liberties for an occasion of the flesh. R2119:1
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| 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; |
As a Jew – Paul had no thought of compromising the truth in any degree. R3022:3
He did not mean that he dissembled or deceived or pretended to be a Jew; but he did not always choose to exercise his liberties in Christ. R2119:2
Refraining from exercising liberties which would stumble them; as we may now also refrain from using our liberties regarding Sunday, in the interest of those about us who do not see the truth on this subject. R2119:1
Under the law – Bounden by ceremonies and human traditions received from the elders. R2118:6
As under the law – Paul waived for the time his own liberties. R2118:6
Gain them – That he might thereby through sympathy and patience help them to the same liberty which he enjoyed at heart. R2118:6
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| 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. |
Not without law to God – Christ is Jehovah's agent in making the new arrangement, and his law is in harmony with the Father's law. We may say with Paul, that we are not without law to God. R542:6
Under the law to Christ – Our responsibility is transferred from the Father to our Lord Jesus who bought us, hence we are no longer under Jehovah's Law given at Sinai, but under a new law--under law to Christ. R542:6
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| 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. |
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| 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. |
The gospel's sake – Principles may never be abandoned for any consideration, but liberties and personal rights may be ignored in the interest of others, frequently and to divine pleasing. R2119:2
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| 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. |
Which run in a race – The Apostle illustrates this by the Olympic games of his day, prominent amongst which was foot-racing. R2119:6; NS414:6
The race set before believers during this Gospel age is an uphill one, a difficult one, so that it would sift, test, prove and separate all those who have the spirit of loyalty and obedience. NS414:5
The first quarter mark is duty love toward God; the second, appreciative love of God; the third, love for the brethren; and fourth, love for enemies. NS417:2-6; F187-189, F369-371
One viewpoint of the Christian's race course is of striving from the beginning of his consecration until death; a different view would be the Christian's attainment of character-likeness to the Lord. NS416:4
No running is spoken of in connection with the highway of holiness in the next age, probably because those disposed to run in the way of righteousness, hating iniquity, are selected during this Gospel age. NS414:3
Prize – The kingdom honors and glories in joint-heirship with Jesus. NS371:5, 415:1; R2119:6; T69
So run – With diligence, energy, patience and perseverance; according to the prescribed rules. R3070:2
As runners exercise great care in their diet and in all of life's affairs, and bend every energy to their racing, so the Christian should make business, pleasure, food and raiment all to bend to the central all-absorbing ambition of his new life, his Christian career. NS414:6
This means taking up of the cross to follow Jesus; a zeal for him, for his truth, his Word, his brethren, for the cause he represents. NS415:1
That ye may obtain – The prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. R2119:6, 624:4*; HG316:5; NS415:1
The conditions of this high exaltation are so severe that only a few will make their calling and selection sure. R297:3
Everyone who would attain to life and the glorious divine character, must strive and attain. A willing mind and its exercise are necessary to divine favor and life eternal. NS413:2
Sufferings in the present time for the truth's sake we are to reckon a part of our wages. R347:3
The Great Company do indeed run the race, but with not sufficient earnestness to win the great reward. R4078:4
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| 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. |
Striveth – To have the mind of Christ is the one requirement of lawful striving. R3070:2
Crown – Prize; reward. R1642:4, 3273:2
An incorruptible – Greek: apthartos, that which cannot corrupt. R2339:2, 204:1; E397
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| 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: |
So run – Like one who has a purpose in view, and who, in desperate earnest, is determined to make his calling and election sure. R3149:3, 5777:3, 4810:3, 3069:3
Not as uncertainly – Paul had definite knowledge as to what constitutes the prize, the terms and conditions of the race, and that he had entered the race. He was determined in his covenant of sacrifice unto death. R4809:3; NS371:5
He had a definite goal in view and meant to win. R5777:3
We are not running doubtfully, not knowing what the prize will be, for we are instructed by the Lord's own words. R2120:1
We know that faithfulness will bring results not only to ourselves, but which will be a blessing to all mankind. R3273:2
This is the only attitude if we would gain the prize that God has offered us; and the whole matter is dependent upon our zeal, our faithfulness and our earnestness. R5777:3; Q119:2
So fight I – He who possesses no combativeness, the fighting quality, can evidently never be a victor in the good fight. OV313:2; R2878:3
The thought of Christian warfare as a continual battle against adverse influences is everywhere prominent in the Scriptures. OV313:3; NS413:2
The fight is chiefly against our own flesh. OV317:1; R4810:2, 3275:1
This battle begins at consecration and continues until our death. R5778:2
The battle begins in our mind, our will. We submit our mind to the mind of Christ. R5778:1
After enlistment, each soldier should expect his share of the provided armor. R3273:5
The soldiers of the cross hold up the banner of truth, the light, not aggressively but defensively, holding up the banner of the Lord with meekness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly kindness. R3274:6
Nothing impossible is required in this race; grace and help comes from the Lord. R4809:6, 5778:5, 3069:3; NS417:1
Beateth the air – In preparation for a certain contest, the contestants had a wind bag to practise on. So the Apostle says that he was not using his strength merely in practise. He was fighting a real battle. R5777:3
We are not to be expending our strength merely on a bag of wind, but we are to fight to some purpose. R5778:4
But with wisdom and prudence and faithfulness doing those things which the Lord had indicated would be pleasing in his sight, as evidencing our loyalty to him, his brethren and his truth. R4480:2
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| 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. |
I – The new "I," which loves God and men, desires holiness, seeks peace and endeavors daily to become more and more an exact copy of the Lord Jesus Christ. R2226:2
The Apostle speaks particularly of himself with the evident intention of teaching a lesson to all of the Lord's people. R5001:2
Keep under – Dead, buried. R4811:4, 2769:6
Dead, as respects all control from the old, selfish will of the flesh. F600; D476; R5002:4, 1861:5
Crucified. --R140:2
In subordination, under restraint. R5001:3, 5002:1
Under the control of the new mind. R5686:4, 5220:3, 5002:4; F489
I am the master--I will not allow my body to master me. R5220:3
When we find any part of the body sticking up a little from the grave, we should bury it again, stick it down and put a little more dirt on it. Q333
In proportion as the new mind develops in likeness to Christ it will relax no efforts to keep the body under, with the motions of sin--to keep the will of the flesh dead. R4810:5, 1884:6
All who serve the Lord's cause in any capacity will be blessed proportionately as they do this. If less careful, they will be less skillful in the preaching of the Word and in the service of the truth. R4728:6
My body – My flesh and its desires. R5127:5, 2309:6
In respect to food, drink, thought, speech. R3894:3, 4833:5*, 4289:2
Its ambitions, appetites, desires. R3273:3, 5777:6, 4810:4, 4289:1, 1457:6, 960:6
"I browbeat my body"; i.e. I use coercive measures upon my body. R4810:1, 5902:4, 5686:4
The new creature is in mortal combat with entrenched sin, and the cravings of human nature. R5778:1
The old nature balks, and gives a lot of trouble. Q649:1; R3275:3, 4810:1
The mortal body being rebellious against God's will, must be brought under the rule, and submissive to, the new mind. R5001:6, 5687:1, 5686:4,5, 4810:1, 4289:1, 2769:6, 1457:6, 442:4
If the flesh conquers, the new creature dies--second death. But if the new creature conquers, it will be by the death of the flesh. R5902:5, 5778:4
Into subjection – To the new mind, the will of God in Christ. R5935:5, 5127:5, 4921:4, 4830:3, 4811:4, 3273:3, 3353:2, 2769:6, 2309:6, 1457:6; T65
To things which would be for righteousness and truth, and also as regards natural things. R5002:1
We are to make it serve the new creature. R4810:2
We must be moderate, temperate, self-denying in all things. R2120:1
The Vow strengthens our wills in respect to all the various features of our covenant with the Lord and bringing our bodies under subjection. R4227:3
When the old creature is knocked out, or brow-beaten, it will groan; but the new creature will be glad and rejoice in the Lord. Q613:1
As a colt needs to be broken, to be brought into subjection, so it is with our flesh. If it is thoroughly broken, it will remain in subjection. R5686:5, 5001:5
Lest – Even after. R296:4
Preached – Instructed. R5686:6
All the preaching to others will not get me into the Kingdom. I must keep my body under, and keep it in subjection to the new mind. R5220:6
To others – Of the great prize for which we run and sacrifice. R1457:6
What God's people are to do for the world is to be merely secondary, merely what opportunity may offer. Their chief work is to be for themselves; not arranging for the world's conversion. SM635:3
Be a castaway – Rejected. R5687:1, 3273:3, 1457:6
Unless he continued to stand fast in his integrity and to grow in grace. R1885:2
Might fail to make my calling and election sure. F600; B28; R5220:6, 5002:1, 3894:3, 3273:3, 2466:5, 1575:5, 365:2
Receive only the reward of the Great Company or the second death. T69; R5687:1, 2120:4; NS415:2
Unworthy of a place in that choice company which God has predetermined shall be composed of "overcomers." R1457:6; NS417:1
With every true Christian this is a matter of supreme importance, and should be particularly noted by every one who is a teacher in the Church. R5686:6, 2952:1
Paul said this after having sacrificed much, after having experienced many sufferings of Christ. R4921:4, 4210:3, 1885:2
Nothing is determined or fixed in respect to any of us until our tests have all been passed. R4921:4, 1651:2
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