1 Corinthians 9:1

Am. not free? Am. not an apostle? Have. not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?

'Am. not free? -having the same rights and liberties as any other Christian. Some might have been saying, 'If Paul really was an apostle, then he would "use" his rights, not forego them.' Paul responds, 'I am free,. do have rights.' He had every right which they had or any other apostle.

'Am. not an Apostle?' -evidently some would say no. Certain verses indicate. "crisis of authority" was happening in this congregation. Paul tackles this issue head on and with gusto. (1 Corinthians 4:1-5-21; 1 Corinthians 14:36-37) 'There are some in the Corinthian church who deny it and by the tone of. Corinthians they are making ground in their influencing of others.' (McGuiggan p. 127)

At this point Paul offers two arguments that establish his apostleship.

'Have. not seen Jesus our Lord?' -one of the qualifications for being an Apostle was to have seen the resurrected Christ. (Acts 1:21 'a witness with us of His resurrection.'; 1 Corinthians 2:32; 1 Corinthians 3:15; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 5:32; 1 Corinthians 10:41; 1 Corinthians 22:14-15; 1 Corinthians 26:16) Incidently, that's why the Apostles were called "witnesses" (Acts 1:8), because they had "witnessed" the event that the whole of Christianity rested upon. (1 Corinthians 15:14)

Points to Note:

1. Definite qualifications for Apostles existed. And seeing that Paul claimed that Jesus appeared to him "last of all" (1 Corinthians 15:8), the door on any further apostles has been closed for all time.

2. In the Second Corinthian letter, Paul gives another "proof"; 'the signs of. true apostle were performed among you' (2 Corinthians 12:12). Those signs being miracles. But since many Christians, who weren't apostles could work miracles (1 Corinthians 12:1), the 'signs' of an apostle must of included the ability to pass on the various spiritual gifts (Acts 8:18),. feat which none but apostles could perform. Therefore objective evidence for testing apostles existed and would be needed. (Revelation 2:2) In light of this we are forced to conclude that religious groups which claim modern day apostles find themselves in opposition to the Word of God.

Barclay makes. good observation here:

'Paul does not say, "I know what. have believed". He says, "I know whom. have believed." (2 Timothy 1:12) When Jesus called His disciples, He did not say to them, "I have. philosophy which. would like you to examine", or, "I have an ethical system which. would like you to consider," or, "I offer you. statement of belief which. would like you to discuss." He said, "Follow Me." All Christianity beings with this personal relationship with Jesus Christ.' [Note:. Barclay p. 87]

'are not ye my work in the Lord?' -'Is it denied that you are the fruits of my labor in the Lord' (Con) 'This is Paul's second criterion for his apostleship, the establishing of churches in new areas. (cf. Romans 15:17)' (Fee p. 395)

'In 2 Corinthians 13:3 they asked for. proof of Christ working in him and in 1 Corinthians 13:5 he points them to themselves. Examine yourselves, he tells them, if you're in the faith what does that say about me?' (McGuiggan p. 127)