But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. 1 Co 9:15–18.
Not Boasting in Human Achievements
Paul begins by stating that he has not used the rights or privileges expected of an apostle or teacher of the gospel. Instead, he deliberately chooses to abstain from seeking personal gain or glory. Financial independence is a crucial aspect of Paul’s approach, with a preference for self-support rather than relying on the financial assistance of the churches he served. In a prior passage (1 Corinthians 9:12), the apostle argues that while he has a right to financial support, this right is not exercised to prevent any hindrance to the gospel, even if it means enduring hardships.
For Paul, the central focus lies on Christ and the gospel's message, not his acclaim or gain. This perspective is expressed in a specific verse (1 Corinthians 2:2), where the apostle states the decision to know nothing among the audience except Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
Paul is aware of false teachers seeking personal gain and distorting the gospel's message. In a specific warning (Philippians 3:18-19), He warns against those teachers and preachers prioritizing personal desires over the gospel. The example Paul set forth was a commitment to avoid personal gain as a protective measure against the accusation of being such an individual. In other words, He left no room for his good to be spoken evil of.
The historical context is important because, in the Roman world, it was customary for philosophers, teachers, and religious leaders to seek financial support or patronage. The apostle's decision to forgo these privileges and rights goes against this cultural norm, highlighting a countercultural stance that emphasizes the distinctiveness of the Christian message.
For Paul, Preaching the Gospel is a Necessity
Paul's sense of necessity in preaching the gospel is rooted in his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19). This event radically transformed him from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Christ. Paul often referred to this encounter as a direct calling from God (Galatians 1:15-16).
The apostle saw himself as an apostle with a specific mission to bring the message of salvation to the Gentiles. His calling was not a human decision but a divine appointment for Paul. In Galatians 1:1, Paul asserts that he is an apostle "not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead." He frequently expresses his motivation in terms of the love of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14, he states,
"For the love of Christ controls us because we have concluded this: that one has died for all. Therefore, all have died."
This deep sense of gratitude and love compels him to share the transformative message of Christ, and if he were to neglect to preach the gospel, Paul would understand the eternal consequences of people not hearing the gospel. Therefore, his distress is rooted in a genuine concern for the salvation of others.
The apostles' eschatological perspective, belief in the imminent return of Christ, and final judgment also motivated the urgency of preaching the gospel. He sees a limited time to fulfill his mission and strives to make the most of the opportunities presented to him.
Paul's commitment to preaching the gospel is evident in the numerous hardships he faces. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and other challenges, he remains steadfast in his mission. This resilience underscores the non-negotiable nature of his calling.
Paul’s reward, as he explains, is linked to how he preaches. The apostle aims to present the gospel without charge, meaning he doesn't seek financial compensation for sharing the message. This approach safeguarded him against any accusation that he was exploiting his authority or using the gospel for personal gain.
Reward in Willing Service
Despite the compulsion he feels, Paul recognizes that there is a reward when he preaches the gospel willingly. This reward is not financial or material gain; it is the satisfaction of fulfilling his calling and stewardship. The apostle sees himself as a steward or caretaker of the gospel message. It is a responsibility given to him, and he must fulfill it faithfully, whether he does so willingly or against his inclinations.
Application
Today, ministers can glean some great insights from Paul's ministry. Those who enter ministry should embrace humility, avoiding pursuing personal gain and glory in ministry and prioritizing the transformative message of Christ over personal acclaim.
Ministers of Christ must show vigilance against distortions and false teachings, which requires a commitment to safeguarding the purity of the gospel. Over the years, we have witnessed people in churches walking around the church building in their expensive suits with brass labels that read “apostle so and so” or “prophet so and so.” One of these label-wearing Apostles told a young visiting pastor that success was an absolute outcome if the young minister left the denomination or movement he was currently in and joined the apostles' movement. Likely, success meant having a big building filled with people coming to listen to his “apostolic wisdom.” While we cannot judge the motivation of the seemingly ambitious apostle, we can’t help but compare his words and general air with that of the apostle Paul.
Paul’s goal was not to write 13 books of the New Testament. Nor was it his goal to plant churches. He had one goal: to preach Christ and him crucified. A message that was an obstacle to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks. Yet, because he experienced the risen Christ and was faithful to “preach the word,” Many wonderful things did occur: churches were planted, letters were written, and today Paul is considered one of the greatest legal minds of his time. But that is not what Paul set out to accomplish.
Ministers should not worry about salaries or ecclesiastical careers. These concepts are foreign to the biblical record. Rather ministers should ask the question, am I called by God? At some point, this question should be resolved with a “Yes, I am “or “No, I am not.” It would naturally follow that any other question is irrelevant. In that sense, it is like marriage “for better and for worse.” Entering ministry is never, nor should it ever be, about upward mobility, whether social, vocational, or ecclesiastical!
Pastors should ‘preach the word” inside and out, and with faith, the Father shall provide for all their needs. Church leaders should humble themselves before the Lord, and God will lift them up in time.
In addition, ministers can draw inspiration from Paul's sense of necessity and urgency in preaching, viewing their calling as a divine appointment with eternal consequences.
Lastly, ministers are given, through Paul’s example, a way to find reward in the intrinsic satisfaction of fulfilling their stewardship and to approach preaching with a commitment to financial independence, emphasizing the integrity of their message.
Yes, we highly recommend ministers follow Paul’s example about being self-employed. Unfortunately, when a minister is self-employed, many who are blessed by his spiritual care and insight see his financial independence as a reason not to give instead of seeing this as an opportunity to bless the man or woman of God.
Still, when God’s servant is free from depending on the financial support of those to whom he ministers, he is at the same time free to preach the truth and confront those who oppose the gospel by their lifestyle and words while at the same time free of the worry of the truth affecting his paycheck or tithes dropping.
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