Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
Barnes observed well, “In the remainder of this chapter, Paul illustrates the general sentiment on which he had been dwelling – the duty of practising self-denial for the salvation of others – by a reference to the well-known games which were celebrated near Corinth.
The Apostle Paul speaks of God’s enabling that allows him to adjust himself to the custom and culture of the people that he was reaching out to. His willingness to stake all for the gospel is worthy of our example. He was obedient to God’s call for his life. And he speaks of the reward of being a partaker of eternal life and heavenly blessings like all who have truly believed in Corinth.
Hymns: RHC 87 I Know Whom I Have Believed, 353 God Will Take Care of You, 339 When I Fear My Faith Will Fail
Psalm 27
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
William MacDonald observed well, “Verse 22 speaks of those who are weak or overscrupulous. They were excessively sensitive about matters that were really not of fundamental importance. To the weak, Paul became as weak, that he might win them. He would be a vegetarian if necessary rather than offend them by eating meat. In short, Paul became all things to all men, that he might by all means save some.”
When the Apostle Paul was reaching out to the gentiles in Asia Minor, he did not insist that the gentiles keep the ceremonial laws of the Jews especially the rite of circumcision, rather salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul has the heart to win souls for Christ. As such, to whomever, God will bring his way, He would try his utmost to reach out. For his own Jewish countrymen, he sought to reach out to them, In fact, in every new city he visits, he would begin ministering first to his own people. There in the synagogue, he was received for he was a famous rabbi before his conversion, having studied under the famous teacher Gamaliel.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Bringing Up Children God’s Way
The Bible tells us that children are a heritage of the LORD and the gift of the womb is His reward (Psalm 127:3). It is indeed God’s blessing when children are added to the family. How can parents fulfil their role as godly parents, and to train their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord?
Moses gave these words of advice in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Parents are to firstly, secure their hearts in the Lord (v6) and secondly, to shepherd their children’s heart (v7). A prepared heart is needed (v6) and the work of bringing up children must be done purposefully, patiently and prayerfully.
The Apostle Paul sought to win souls for Christ by declining to accept any compensation so that he would not give offense to anyone or an excuse to reject the gospel, which he was determined to preach without charge. His principle of life was that he should not obligate himself to anyone by accepting favours from anyone. He lived in such a way among the Corinthians that all were obligated to him because of his free services in preaching the gospel. He adopted this philosophy of life for the single purpose of winning as many to Christ as possible. [Zodhiates]
The Apostle Paul has, for the sake of the gospel, chosen to trust God for support instead of receiving support from the Corinthian church. He did not want to be misunderstood that he was preaching the gospel for any carnal material gain. Nothing of that sort. He was fulfilling a gospel debt he owed for the Christ who saved him.