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1Corinthians 9 KJV.

3  Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

Apostle Paul is writing unto the church of Corinth which has many problems because of their carnality and being babies in the faith. The problems include; Divisions, fornication and pride.

Question is: Paul is writing them as who and by whose authority?

1Corinthians 1 KJV.

1  Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2  Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Interestingly, Paul didn’t become an apostle by his own will but by the will of God. It’s God who made him an Apostle. Even while he acknowledges that he was made an Apostle by God, he further acknowledges that he is the least of all the Apostles.

1Corinthians 15 KJV.

1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11  Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 

I have three questions which I leave you to answer them in your mind….

1. How did the modern day Apostles become Apostles and by whose authority?
2. Which Gospel did they receive from Christ and where did they preach it? Is it unto the Gentiles or the Jews? Or their small churches which are full of a fake gospels.
3. If apostle Paul is the least of all the Apostle, where can we place this modern day Apostles?

Being an Apostle, Paul seems to be undergoing opposition from people who do not approve his apostleship and therefore casting doubts upon his ministry. In his defense he has to make sure that the Corinthians acknowledge that he is there apostle even if others won’t see him as an apostle.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

1  Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2  If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 

Such a move was very important for Paul because the Corinthians being childish were forgetful of the fact that he is the one who begat them in the Lord as much as they enjoyed the services of many teachers.

1Corinthians 4 KJV.

14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 15  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 

In response to those who are examining him; Apostle Paul reveals some of the sacrifices that he has made in his Apostleship.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

3  Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4  Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 

Two major sacrifices that were made by Apostle Paul and Barnabas.

1. Denied themselves the power to forbear working and just eat and drink.
2. Denied themselves the power to marry.

The power to Marry.

Unto the Apostles, marrying or not marrying was to be a choice to make.  Apostle Paul decided never to get married not because of avoiding family responsibilities but because of the desire to have more time for the Lord and the gospel.

1Corinthians 7 KJV.

6  But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7  For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 

32  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35  And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 

Since we live in an era of Pastors, teachers and evangelists, it’s of importance to know that a Pastor cannot make such a sacrifice that was made by Apostle Paul. I find that a modern day Christian who has no knowledge  would want to take all that Apostle Paul did and seek to use it in examining a Pastor.

Pastors have no choice but to be married and have children.

1Timothy 3 KJV.

1  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

4  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Titus 1 KJV.

5  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 

Not even a deacon has a choice of forbearing to Marry.

1Timothy 3 KJV.

8  Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9  Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10  And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11  Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12  Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 

Besides making the sacrifice of not marrying in the interest of the gospel, he proves in response to his critics that he denied himself the power to take wages from the ministry but chose to keep his secular job for to take care of his needs.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

3  Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,4  Have we not power to eat and to drink?  6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 

Apostle Paul was a tent maker. He chose to continue making tents as a way of making money.

Acts 18 KJV.

1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

Acts 20 KJV.

32  And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33  I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. 34  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

Why would Apostle Paul make such a sacrifice of denying himself the power to eat and drink?

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

12  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 

2Thessalonians 3 KJV.

6  Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 

We establish that this sacrifice was made by Apostle Paul for the following reasons:

1. Not to hinder the gospel of Christ.
2. Not to be chargeable/burdensome to any believer.
3. Through the sacrifice, he intended to teach the believers that it’s important to work with their own hands.

Does this mean that Apostle Paul received zero support from the generous saints and churches? He did receive support but not from churches like the church of Corinth.

2Corinthians 11 KJV.

7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8  I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9  And when I was present with you, and wanted I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 

Even though Apostle Paul made a sacrifice not to take anything in the name of wages from the Corinthians, he still acknowledges that those who exercise this power are not committing sin but it’s their right.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

7  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?  9  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 

Even if Apostle Paul made this sacrifice; the believers of the Church of Corinth should not look at that and ignore the need to minister to those who feed them spiritually. That is to say, they should never use apostle Paul’s situation to fault other servants of God who take wages.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

11  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

Galatians 6 KJV.

6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

The sad thing is that among the believers of today; we have people who use the testimony of Apostle Paul refusing to take wages from believers but rather keep his secular job; to insult and criminalize God’s ministers who take wages.

Personally; in my line of ministry, I have ever been asked to:

1. Go dig trenches and collect garbage to feed my family and pay bills and Apostle Paul was used as a point of reference for me to emulate.
2. Start a business which will see me pay my bills and feed my family. Again, Apostle Paul was used as a point of reference for me to emulate.

Now….

• Before I go digging trenches or collect garbage; I have a profession that I did practice for 12 good years under the N.G.O umbrella. I am a social worker.
• I have an option of seeking employment or start my own firm to be able to pay bills and also feed my family.
• But the question is; if this happens, will I have enough time as a pastor, not as an Apostle to serve my church in areas of soulwinning, and bible preaching? Most of my time is consumed by this ministry…

1. Every Tuesday and Saturday; I lead soulwinning teams out in the field.
2. Every Wednesday and Friday; I am preaching through the bible books of the bible.
3. Every Sunday; I am preaching in the morning and evening.
4. Mondays and Thursdays are meant for bible studying and making bible sermons.

The reality is: if I have to make a sacrifice that Apostle Paul Made; our church will require to close down on many of its activities. But whether I make a sacrifice that Apostle Paul made or not; what does God have to say concerning those who labor in his office?

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

13  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

1Timothy 5 KJV.

17  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 

The reality is that my church is not yet in a place of paying me wages for the work done here.

• But even without that; God has been faithful and has provided for my needs in many other ways.
• Our church receives little donations which focusses on paying church bills which includes rent, electricity, water and also for the two brother who have all their time given to church duties.

But even if I never receive wages from this church; Just like Apostle Paul, my mind is set on preaching the gospel.

1Corinthians 9 KJV.

13  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15  But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18  What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 

19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 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. 23  And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 

THEREFORE; FOR THOSE WHO WILL EXAMINE ME ON MATTERS THAT APOSTLE PAUL HAS ALSO RAISED…

1. I am married and have my children in subjection: therefore, that’s why I am a Pastor of this church.
2. I have not denied myself the power to eat and drink. The reality is that our church is not in a capacity of settling my wages. I pay my bills by God’s grace through the charity and kindness of those who honor me as an elder even if I am not their immediate pastor.

AMEN.