(1Co 9:12) “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”  Notice that this is not simply a “gift of giving” on the part of the congregation: “If others be partakers of this power [authority] over you,…” This thought has been built upon the previous verse, the spiritual is of such value that “… , is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”

(1Co 9:8) “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? (9)  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10)  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (11(  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”  When God’s people put the spiritual before the physical, they cannot do enough for their pastor. On the other hand, when they see him as an hireling, working for them, they won’t do enough.

 (1Co 9:7) “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”  One cannot truly divide one’s time, lest one of those things suffer. The flock needs full attention for feeding, healing, watering, guarding, directing. It is also true of the church of God, the sheep the Under-shepherd is called to watch over (Acts 20:28).

(1Co 9:4) “Have we not power to eat and to drink? (5)  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? (6)  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”  From the beginning certain honors were shown unto God’s ministers. These men represented the Lord, ministering not to the flesh, but to the souls and spirits of others. Remember: the spiritual always comes before the physical.

(1Co 9:3) “Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, (4)  Have we not power to eat and to drink?”  Paul’s authority over the church is being challenged. Defense? His defense will be…..the practice of others of like position based upon (here is our only source of authority) the Word of God (v.8-10)!

(1Co 9:1) “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (2)  If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.” One of the most rewarding things of leading another to Christ is the love they feel for you afterwards. The Lord alone does the saving, yet we find they love us for our role in their salvation. I pray each saved soul gets to experience this by leading some precious soul to our Lord.

 (1Co 8:13) “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”  Holy Spirit empowered loving puts others before self – especially their soul’s need. It should go without saying that this indeed speaks of loving everyone; but shouldn’t it be seen as a daily practice at home?

 (1Co 8:12) “But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.” The action itself was not sin (v.4-6,8) but in the doing of it someone that knew you was led astray; that….was sin. The whole of the Epistles teach us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Their soul is more important that our belly.

(1Co 8:11) “And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?”  “Brother”, here, is in the sense the Lord Jesus used it – any of humanity. We should care about how our behavior affects the lost. You never know who is watching, what is in their heart, whether or not the Lord has been speaking to their soul. You are an “ambassador” (2 Cor 5:20), whether you like it or not.

WATER   (1Co 8:10) “For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;”  Our activities influence others, for they cannot see our hearts, only our outward actions. There are places a believer has no business being.