Reading
SAA Notes
Paul, like Moses, constantly had to defend himself from attacks from within the church. This is always an encouragement for those in ministry to persevere as they did, with the Lord and with His people.
SJA Notes
* Holy God, Your love is steadfast and Your faithfulness without end. Please teach us today.
“Nevertheless, we have no made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.”
I think perhaps we can be in danger of missing out on Paul’s intent here, one of them, within these passages we are reading.
Paul lays out a weighty argument for why, from the Corinthian church’s point of view, he should be considered worthy of some material benefits for his work in the Lord.
The muzzling an ox truth is very important for us to understand, particularly with respect to how we view work.
But Paul puts it aside for a deeper truth (which he has been doing in previous passages).
“But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision.”
Are we working against the free-of-charge gospel presentation by being too strong in our rights as God’s people?
A worthy topic to wrestle with.
* Lord God Above,
Please help us in our weakness, our minds are so easily led astray.
Please turn us to You, our eyes on Jesus, our hearts and minds wrapped up and founded in Your word.
We love You our God in heaven.
This we pray Lord God.
Amen.