1 Corinthians 9:17-19

For if I do this thing willingly I have a reward.

Purity of motive required in every Christian minister

I. Wherein it consists.

1. A willing service.

2. Without respect to fee or reward.

3. He may receive but must not bargain for it.

II. Its importance.

1. If pure, Christ will reward him.

2. If impure, his service is merely professional and has its reward.

III. Its present recompense.

1. Freedom from all imputation of mercenary motives.

2. The free dispensation of the gospel.

3. The consciousness of his own integrity. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

Aspects of St. Paul’s ministry

His preaching was no ground of boasting (1 Corinthians 9:16). If he preached willingly, i.e., if it were optional with him to preach or not to preach, then it would be a ground of boasting; but if he did it unwillingly, i.e., if it were not optional with him (as was in fact the case), he was only discharging an official duty, and had nothing to boast of. That Paul preached the gospel willingly, that he esteemed it his highest joy and glory, is abundantly evident (Romans 1:5; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:15; Ephesians 3:8). The difference, therefore, here expressed between “willing” and “unwilling,” is not the difference between cheerfully and reluctantly, but between optional and obligatory. He says he had a “dispensation” or stewardship committed to him. Stewards were commonly slaves. There is a great difference between what a slave does in obedience to a command, and what a man volunteers to do of his own accord. And this is the difference to which the apostle refers. So Paul was commanded to preach the gospel, and he did it with his whole heart; but he was not commanded to refuse to receive a support from the churches. The former, therefore, was not a ground of boasting, not a thing for which he could claim the reward of special confidence; the latter was. He could appeal to it as a proof, not only of his obedience, but of the purity of the motive which prompted that obedience. A physician may attend the sick from the highest motives, though he receives a remuneration for his services. But when he attends the poor gratuitously, though the motives may be no higher, the evidence of their purity is placed beyond question. Paul’s ground of glorying, therefore, was not preaching, for that was a matter of obligation; but his preaching gratuitously, which was altogether optional. He gained something by it. He gained the confidence even of his enemies. But as preaching was not optional but obligatory, he did not gain confidence by it. The principle on which the apostle’s argument is founded is recognised by our Lord in Luke 17:10. (C. Hodge, D. D.)

Ministers and wealth

Rev. T. Hancocks, of Chatham, formerly a Pastors’ College student, relates the following reminiscence of Mr. Spurgeon, introduced by the late president into one of his lectures to his students, and which is particularly interesting in the light of his last will and testament: Men sometimes say, “Spurgeon’s making a good thing of it.” To which I reply, “You are perfectly right, for I serve a Master who is no niggard, but who rewards me daily with both hands.” But if they mean that I am saving money--well, they will know when I’m gone. I give away all I can get, and could wisely use more.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.--

True ministerial independence

I. Its nature. Freedom--

1. As far as possible from personal obligation.

2. In the declaration of Divine truth.

3. In the conscientious discharge of duty.

II. Its use. In the service of all--

1. By patient toil.

2. By forbearance.

3. By Christian compliances.

III. Its motive.

1. Christ’s honour.

2. In the gain of souls. (J. Lyth, D. D.)

The highest service of man earth

The services of men on earth embrace a large variety. There is the service of the agriculturist, the mechanic, the mariner, the merchant, the scientist, the legislator, the king, &c. Men esteem these services as differing widely in respectability and honour; but the service referred to in the text stands infinitely above all. Four thoughts are suggested concerning this service.

I. It is a service for the gaining of men. “That I might gain the more.” The “more” what? Not the gaining the more wealth, fame, or pleasure; but the gaining of men. Christ says, “Thou hast gained thy brother.” There is a way of winning a man. Morally man is lost. No work in the universe is higher than this--to gain a man, to recover him to the true spirit and mission of life.

II. It is a service independent of men. “Though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all.” Oh, how this high service has been degraded by the crowds of craven and mercenary souls that have pushed themselves into it! I am “free from all men,” says Paul. “I made myself servant.” I was not made by human authority, I was not pushed into it by others, “I made myself.” A man by God’s grace must make himself for the work.

III. It is a service for universal man. “Unto all.” All men, not to any particular tribe, sect, or nation, but to all, rich and poor, high and low, cultured and rude. (D. Thomas, D. D.)