“…the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should LIVE FROM THE GOSPEL (this means to earn a living (financially) from the gospel) For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of WOE (ouai: trouble, despair) IS ME if I do not preach the gospel! For IF I DO THIS WILLINGLY, I HAVE A REWARD…For though I am free from all men, I HAVE MADE MYSELF A SERVANT TO ALL, that I might win the more…” (1 Corinthians 9:14-19)
“…to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might WIN JEWS; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might WIN THOSE WHO ARE UNDER THE LAW; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might WIN THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT LAW; to the weak I became as weak, that I MIGHT WIN THE WEAK. I have become ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN, that I MIGHT BY ALL MEANS SAVE SOME.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22)
What is Paul’s aim. Why has he made himself a slave to all? Why is he becoming “as a Jew” to the Jews? Why did he make himself a “lawless one” to the lawless, and weak to the weak? Which is the same now as asking, WHY SHOULD WE DO THIS? It’s a tremendously important question. Paul is telling us to live and act in ways that are different from the way we would act if we didn’t share his aim in life. So, it makes a big difference, IF WE HAVE THE SAME AIM PAUL DOES HERE. TO WIN THE LOST AT ANY COST.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham