Articles
My Rights - 1 Cor. 9
My Rights - 1 Cor. 9
As Americans, we put our ‘bill of rights’ as foundational to our laws. Our forefathers declared them to be inalienable rights given by our Creator. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, he brings up his rights that were given by God.
Three times in chapter nine Paul asks: “Do we not have a right to… ?” (vs. 4, 5, 6). These are rhetorical questions that should be answered ‘yes’. They are not really debatable. Of course, he had a right to eat and drink. Of course, he had a right to have a wife. Of course, he had a right to be supported while he preached the gospel. BUT…
…Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. (1 Cor. 9:12)
Such thinking shows a big difference between the attitude shown by Paul towards his brethren and the attitude that often is shown by us toward our brethren! We have championed our ‘rights’ to the point of indifference or even harm to our brethren.
Paul explained that using our ‘rights’ to the point of causing our brethren to sin is in itself to sin against Christ (cp. 8:11-13).
No, I don’t have all the answers of how to balance these things. We each struggle each day with this. What I am suggesting is moving this struggle to the front of our thinking. We not only ask ‘is it right’, but is it harmful? Is it expedient for my brethren? Does it promote peace? Does it glorify God?
While we have been trained to ask ‘is it right’, how often do you ask these questions about your rights?
Hugh DeLong
