Am I not free? am I not an apostle? — That is, Have not I the liberty of a common Christian? yea, that of an apostle? He vindicates his apostleship, 1 Corinthians 9:1: his apostolical liberty, 1 Corinthians 9:4. Have I not seen Jesus Christ? — Without this he could not have been one of those first g... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye are the seal of my apostleship — Who have received not only faith by my mouth, but all the gifts of the Spirit by my hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
My answer to them who examine me — Concerning my apostleship. Is this — Which I have now given.... [ Continue Reading ]
Have we not power — I and my fellowlabourers. To eat and to drink — At the expense of those among whom we labour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Have we not power to lead about with us a sister, a wife — And to demand sustenance for her also? As well as the other apostles — Who therefore, it is plain, did this. And Peter — Hence we learn, That St. Peter continued to live with his wife after he became an apostle: That he had no rights as an a... [ Continue Reading ]
To forbear working — With our hands.... [ Continue Reading ]
Do I speak as a man — Barely on the authority of human reason? Does not God also say, in effect, the same thing? The ox that treadeth out the corn — This was the custom in Judea, and many eastern nations. In several of them it is retained still. And at this day, horses tread out the corn in some par... [ Continue Reading ]
Doth God — In this direction. Take care for oxen — Only? Hath he not a farther meaning? And so undoubtedly he hath in all the other Mosaic laws of this kind.... [ Continue Reading ]
He who ploweth ought to plow in hope — Of reaping. This seems to be a proverbial expression. And he that thresheth in hope — Ought not to be disappointed, ought to eat the fruit of his labours. And ought they who labour in God's husbandry. Deuteronomy 25:4... [ Continue Reading ]
Is it a great matter if we shall reap as much of your carnal things — As is needful for our sustenance? Do you give us things of greater value than those you receive from us?... [ Continue Reading ]
If others — Whether true or false apostles. Partake of this power — Have a right to be maintained. Do not we rather — On account of our having laboured so much more? Lest we should give any hinderance to the gospel — By giving an occasion of cavil or reproach.... [ Continue Reading ]
Matthew 10:10... [ Continue Reading ]
It were better for me to die than — To give occasion to them that seek occasion against me, 2 Corinthians 11:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Willingly — He seems to mean, without receiving anything. St. Paul here speaks in a manner peculiar to himself. Another might have preached willingly, and yet have received a maintenance from the Corinthians. But if he had received anything from them, he would have termed it preaching unwillingly. A... [ Continue Reading ]
What then is my reward — That circumstance in my conduct for which I expect a peculiar reward from my great Master? That I abuse not — Make not an unseasonable use of my power which I have in preaching the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
I made myself the servant of all — I acted with as self — denying a regard to their interest, and as much caution not to offend them, as if I had been literally their servant or slave. Where is the preacher of the gospel who treads in the same steps?... [ Continue Reading ]
To the Jews I became as a Jew — Conforming myself in all things to their manner of thinking and living, so far as; I could with innocence. To them that are under the law — Who apprehend themselves to be still bound by the Mosaic law. As under the law — Observing it myself, while I am among them. Not... [ Continue Reading ]
To them that are without the law — The heathens. As without the law — Neglecting its ceremonies. Being not without the law to God — But as much as ever under its moral precepts. Under the law to Christ — And in this sense all Christians will be under the law for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
I became as weak — As if I had been scrupulous too. I became all things to all men — Accommodating myself to all, so far as I could consistent with truth and sincerity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Know ye not that — In those famous games which are kept at the isthmus, near your city. They who run in the foot race all run, though but one receiveth the prize — How much greater encouragement have you to run; since ye may all receive the prize of your high calling!... [ Continue Reading ]
And every one that there contendeth is temperate in all things — To an almost incredible degree; using the most rigorous self denial in food, sleep, and every other sensual indulgence. A corruptible crown — A garland of leaves, which must soon wither. The moderns only have discovered that it is "leg... [ Continue Reading ]
I so run, not as uncertainly — I look straight to the goal; I run straight toward it. I cast away every weight, regard not any that stand by. I fight not as one that beateth the air — This is a proverbial expression for a man's missing his blow, and spending his strength, not on his enemy, but on em... [ Continue Reading ]
But I keep under my body — By all kinds of self denial. And bring it into subjection — To my spirit and to God. The words are strongly figurative, and signify the mortification of the body of sin, "by an allusion to the natural bodies of those who were bruised or subdued in combat. Lest by any means... [ Continue Reading ]