This chapter is an insertion in this section on eating idol sacrifices. In this insertion the apostle presented himself to the Corinthian believers as a pattern, that they might not stumble others but build them up by practicing the principle of considerate love set forth in 1 Cor. 8:13.

The apostle Paul was free from all men, being enslaved to no one (v. 19). As all believers in Christ should be, he was free also from the bondage of any particular way of eating, although he practiced the principle of considerate love.

As he presented himself a pattern to the believers, the apostle came to the matter of his apostleship, which gave him authority to deal with all the problems covered in this book, serious problems concerning the church life and its fellowship. His handling of these problems was based not only on his teaching but also on the authority inherent in his apostleship. To deal with the situation, he had to take this standing and make this matter clear to the Corinthian believers. They had questioned his apostleship and were in a chaotic situation, mainly because of the foolishness of their worldly wisdom, self-confidence, and pride.

The Greek word for apostle means one who is sent. An apostle of the Lord is a believer who is sent out by Him with His authority to preach the gospel of God, to teach the divine truth, and to establish churches. In the first section of Acts, Peter and John were such apostles among the Jews, and in the second section of Acts, Paul and Barnabas were such apostles among the Gentiles. After them, others also became apostles, such as Silas (i.e., Silvanus) and Timothy (1 Thes. 1:1; 2:6). As long as one has the power to preach the gospel, the gift to teach the divine truth, and the ability to establish churches, he is qualified and confirmed to be an apostle sent by the Lord with His commission and authority.

This refers to Paul's having seen the Lord in His glorious resurrected body (1 Cor. 15:5-8). This is a special privilege; it constitutes some dignity and glory to the seer, but it is not a requirement or qualification for being the Lord's apostle. This is fully proven by the case of Barnabas, who was one of the apostles (Acts 14:14) yet did not see the Lord in this way. However, to know the Lord in spirit by spiritual revelation is definitely needed for one to be an apostle.

The fruitful result of his work in the Lord was a proof of, not a qualification for, Paul's apostleship.

Because he had begotten them in the Lord through the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15). The fruit of his labor was the evidence of his apostleship.

The sufficient result of the apostle's effective work was not only an evidence, a proof, but also a seal of his apostleship. It put a distinctive mark on his apostolic labor that authenticated and certified his apostleship.

Referring to the defense in vv. 1-2.

The apostle's bold, frank, strong, and direct defense in vv. 4-15 reveals that he was a person with a pure heart and spirit, and that in the Lord's work he had no intention other than Christ and His Body.

Or, liberty.

To eat and drink for the gospel (v. 14) at the expense of the saints and the churches.

Or, that is treading out the grain.

Or, endure. Lit., contain (as a vessel), conceal; hence, cover (as a roof ).

The word for sacred here is different from the word for holy in Rom. 1:2 and the word for holiness in Luke 1:75, and is the same as the word for sacred in 2 Tim. 3:15. It denotes the sacredness of the things that are related to the worship of God.

The apostle was desperately absolute for the Lord's interests. He was willing not only to sacrifice all his rights (vv. 12, 15, 18) but also to pay the price even of his life.

Than what? Paul did not finish the sentence. Perhaps he was referring to the things mentioned in the first half of this verse.

This book was written not to help lost sinners to be saved but to help saved believers to grow (1 Cor. 3:6-7), to build with the precious materials (1 Cor. 3:10, 12-14), to care for the Lord's members (1 Cor. 8:9-13), and to run the race (v. 24). Hence, a reward is mentioned repeatedly as an incentive to the believers for their progress (1 Cor. 3:14; 9:18, 24-25). See note Heb. 10:35^1b.

Or, household administration, household dispensation. The apostle was not only a preacher but also a steward in God's house, a household administrator, dispensing Christ's salvation, life, and riches to His believers. Such a ministry was the stewardship with which he had been entrusted and commissioned (Eph. 3:2; 2 Cor. 4:1).

I.e., all men.

I.e., all men.

I.e., outside the sphere, the limit, of law; hence, without law.

I.e., within the sphere, the limit, of law; hence, subject to law. Paul took Christ as his life and lived by Christ. This Christ, who lived in him as life and who has the law of life and is the very law of life (Rom. 8:2), ruled and regulated him that he might be legitimately, legally, rightfully, and duly subject to Christ. Therefore, Paul was within a higher and better law, being subject to the law of life. Hence, he was not outside law and was not without law to God.

This means that the apostle adapted himself to all things, that is, to different ways of eating and practice (v. 23), for the sake of all men.

Or, joint participant, cooperator, copartner. The apostle was not only a fellow partaker, a joint participant, enjoying the gospel but also a cooperator, a copartner, laboring for the gospel. However, here he referred to the enjoyment of the gospel. Hence, this word is rendered fellow partaker in the text.

This reveals that the Christian life is a race that we must run successfully.

I.e., a reward as an incentive. See note 1 Cor. 9:17^1a.

I.e., obtain.

A chaplet made of leaves for the athletic contests at that time. The incorruptible crown, which the Lord will award to His overcoming saints who win the race, is a reward in addition to salvation (see note Heb. 10:35^1b). We, His believers, have all received His salvation through faith in Him. This has been settled once for all. But whether we will be rewarded by Him depends on how we run the race. Here, in this chapter, the apostle was running the course (v. 26). In Philippians, one of his last Epistles, he was still running (Phil. 3:14). It was not until the last moment of his running, in 2 Tim. 4:6-8, that he had the assurance that he would be rewarded by the Lord at His appearing. In view of this prize the apostle charged the Corinthian believers to run the race that they might obtain the reward (v. 24).

The Greek word means to beat the face under the eye black and blue. This is not to ill-treat the body, as in asceticism, nor to consider the body evil, as in Gnosticism. This is to subdue the body and make it a conquered captive to serve us as a slave for fulfilling our holy purpose. This is equivalent to putting to death our earthly members (Col. 3:5) and putting to death the practices of the body (Rom. 8:13), not allowing our body to be used for the indulgence of lust or doing anything on our own except what is holy to God. The Corinthians misused their body by indulgence in fornication, not caring for God's temple (1 Cor. 6:19), and in the unrestrained eating of things sacrificed to idols, not caring for weak believers (1 Cor. 8:9-13).

A metaphor meaning to lead the vanquished as a captive and a slave, to bring the captive into slavery, making him a slave to serve the conqueror's purpose.

The Greek word implies possibility.

According to the context of vv. 24-27, this refers to the preaching of the reward as an incentive to the Christian runners. This is related to the kingdom, the manifestation of which will be a reward to the overcoming saints who have won the Christian race. See note Heb. 12:28^1a.

Or, disqualified, rejected; i.e., unworthy of the prize. The apostle was surely saved by grace through faith in Christ. Not only so, he was called to be an apostle to carry out God's New Testament economy. Nonetheless, here he was very much on the alert to run his course (Acts 20:24) by subduing his body to serve his holy purpose, that he might not be disapproved and rejected at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) and be found unworthy of the reward of the coming kingdom. See Matt. 7:21-23; 25:11-12.