What does 1 Corinthians 9:1 mean?
Paul has not changed the subject from the end of chapter 8. He continues to make the point to the Corinthians that they should willingly surrender their right to eat meat offered to idols, out of love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though eating such meat is not a sin, itself, those with "weaker" consciences do not understand this. If a Christian with a "strong" conscience is careless about how they use their freedom, they risk becoming the cause of sin in the lives of those who follow their example, violating their conscience.Paul begins with this verse to show that he, too, has given up his rights as an apostle for the sake of others. He starts by asking a series of questions that will demand a "yes" from the Corinthians. Paul is free. He chooses to use his freedom to refrain from eating idol food for the sake of his brothers and sisters. Paul is an apostle, as he stated at the beginning of this letter. Being an apostle brings with it rights that Paul will refuse to claim.
Paul has seen Jesus when Christ called him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–18). Seeing Jesus after the resurrection was one of the requirements for the selection of a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:22). Paul, added as a late apostle, also fulfilled this requirement.
Finally, the Christians in Corinth are the product of Paul's work as an apostle, missionary, and evangelist.
First Corinthians 9:1–18 describes Paul's case for why he, as an apostle, has the right to ask for financial support from the people he serves, including the Corinthian Christians. Though he could demand, Paul refuses to insist on his right. He doesn't want anything to get in the way of someone hearing the gospel. He must preach the gospel; he has no choice. But Paul wants to be able to boast about offering the gospel free of charge even though he has the right to ask for financial support. This passage establishes that believers have an obligation to support those who serve through ministry. This message is made more valid since Paul is not benefitting from his own argument.
Paul encourages Christians to willingly give up their ''rights'' for the good of those who are weak in their faith. Paul shows that he, too, has given up his rights, including the right as an apostle to receive financial support from those he serves. Instead, he boasts that he serves the Corinthians without any compensation, even at great cost to himself. Paul describes himself as an athlete competing for the prize of a crown in eternity. His point is for believers to pursue godliness, and the good of others, with that kind of commitment.
