1 CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 9.
Paul the Free Servant of Christ. 1 Cor. 9, 1-27.
Devoted work for the sake of the Gospel: V. 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. V. 23. And this I do for the Gospel's sake that I might be partaker thereof with you.
To the weak the apostle became weak in order to gain the weak; his loving insight enabled him to understand the scruples and weaknesses of those that had not made much headway in Christian knowledge. Compare 2 Corinthians 11, 29. Every true servant of Christ must learn from the apostle not to despise anyone, nor to permit disgust over foolish weaknesses to enter his heart. There may be much spiritual incapacity, but the ability to hear the story of the Gospel will remain in most cases; and the object is to gain the weak also.
And therefore Paul summarizes: To all men I have become all things in order by all means to save some. In this way the practical wisdom of Paul's pastoral love and self-denial shone forth. It was not duplicity, as his enemies alleged, 2 Corinthians 1, 12; 4, 2; 12, 16; Gal. 1, 10, but the expression of a heart which acted under the discipline of the sanctifying Spirit.
And it was all done for the sake of the Gospel, in order that he might be a joint-partaker with it. Every new soul won for Christ exhibited to the apostle the glory of the Triune God and the beauty of the Redeemer, and in the communion of all these saints the blessings of the Gospel reacted upon him, permitted him to partake more fully of the Gospel's vitalizing effects. The faithful servant of the Gospel will himself reap the rich benefits of his work.
The need of self-discipline: V. 24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain.