Victory Through Discipline: First Corinthians Chapter Nine Exegetical Commentary Series

In First Corinthians chapter nine, the apostle Paul lays out the importance of understanding discipline when it comes to participating in ministry. He realized that there would be a need for sacrifice when it came to the things he would desire for himself. On the other hand, he vigorously defended the right of those who work for the sake of the gospel to receive the compensation they were due. Though he himself felt that he was worthy of this reward, Paul did not allow his conscience to accept it lest there would be some who would point out some wrong motive. He believed that the higher the authority and the trust from God, the greater the responsibility of the behavior to be above reproach.