| General Theology The forum for general theological discussions about issues that do not fit in any other forum, eg. Angelology |
 | | 
24th July 2012, 03:22 PM
|  | Sola Scriptura
  
| | Join Date: 23rd July 2012
Posts: 16
Blessings: 4,238
Reps: 5,582,717,102,791,752 (power: 5,582,717,102,792) | | Originally Posted by God's Word   I Corinthians 9:3-18 "Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? 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? OR I ONLY AND BARNABAS, HAVE NOT WE POWER TO FORBEAR WORKING? 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? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 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? 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 a partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things? 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. 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? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 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. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is me, if I preach not the gospel! 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. 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."
Paul understood, full well, that he had the power to forsake working, even as other apostles had and he also understood, full well, that the Lord has ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel or be supported by those to whom they minister spiritual things. However, Paul didn't use such power lest he should somehow abuse such power and somehow hinder the gospel of Christ by making it "with charge". Would to God that the "prosperity preachers" of today who regularly "fleece the flock" to line their own pockets understood and obeyed such things. Anyhow, Paul's primary concern was always the gospel of Christ and he was willing to suffer great loss that the gospel of Christ might ultimately triumph. Would to God that we all would have this same mindset/heartset.
Interesting points for sure. I've always viewed chapter 9 as more apostolic, than pastoral, but I suppose one could see both. I see 9 as a higher road teaching from Paul, and somewhat of a rebuttal in tone and substance against those, who I think were the false apostles seen in letter "4", to which we see a strong similarity in chapter 11, a mirror of 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul seems to now have fully known just who those people were, and what they were about, the peddlers of 2:17 (and now), to then say how he worked and sought no to burden, the heart of a true apostle. I think there are hints of the early influence of the false ones in 1 Corinthians.
Yes, those who rely on verse 9:14, about earning their living from the gospel, a verse often used at the expense of those whom they try to receive funds from, never quote the following verse, that's in your fine post, Paul was not saying what he said for himself, yet they take those very verses for themselves, ignoring 9:6, how Baranbas and Paul worked for a living. Thanks for your reply.
Last edited by The Book; 24th July 2012 at 04:08 PM.
|
24th July 2012, 03:24 PM
|  | Take joy my King, My God be most blessed!
  
 | | Join Date: 17th December 2006 Location: Mount Sion
Posts: 22,323
Blessings: 43,266,859
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,804) | | Very good posts both 
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
24th July 2012, 04:09 PM
| | Sola Scriptura
| | Join Date: 23rd July 2012
Posts: 16
Blessings: 4,238
Reps: 5,582,717,102,791,752 (power: 5,582,717,102,792) | | Originally Posted by Fireinfolding Very good posts both
Your post also blessed me, good work. |
24th July 2012, 08:34 PM
|  | Daughter of the King
27
| | Join Date: 11th December 2003
Posts: 3,387
Blessings: 2,186,850
Reps: 1,256,163,127,721,401,600 (power: 1,256,163,127,721,414) | | | To support himself.
__________________
1 Corinthians 8:9-11
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
Legalistic or not, Christ said "If you love me, keep My commandments...He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the father's who send Me." John 14:15, 24
Why do we fight so hard to explain scriptures that are not there and yet ignore the ones that are? | | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
| | |
