Subject: Anyone w/ good reverences 4 1 cor.9 ,10. |
Bible Note: Chapter 9 THEME: Christian liberty regarding service for Christ In chapter 8 Paul dealt with the matter of Christian liberty in regard to eating meat which had been offered to idols. The principle he laid down was that in doubtful matters the motive for Christian conduct was regard for fellow believers. We won't do anything which causes a weak brother to stumble. This shows us that there is a limitation on our Christian liberty. This can be stated in a graphic way. You have a perfect right to swing your fist any way you want to, but where my nose begins your liberty ends. Paul lays down this principle several times in the Epistle to the Corinthians. "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (1Cor. 6:12). "But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse" (1Cor. 8:8). "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not" (1Cor. 10:23). He goes on to say that no man should seek his own, but every man should seek the good of his neighbor. Christian liberty has its limitations for this reason. Now Paul is going to illustrate this matter of Christian liberty in another field. He will discuss his own right as an apostle, his official right. Then he will discuss his right to be supported by the church. He had the right to expect the church to care for him and all his needs as a preacher of the gospel. He uses these personal matters to illustrate Christian liberty. Paul first defends his official right as an apostle. Paul was in the habit of defending his apostleship because it was challenged in many places. —J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible Chapter 10 THEME: Liberty is not license We are still in the section concerning Christian liberty, which extends through this chapter and into the first verse of chapter 11. We are going to see another area of liberty illustrated through the nation Israel. —J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible Try this for some idea on direction. Perhaps if you had an idea of what you wanted to present would be help. EdB |