The Issues on the Monetary Support for a Pastor
Channel: Talakayan sa Biblia
Date: 17/03/2022

Point: Paul’s tenor implies that they do not have these not because it is not their right, but that they waived it
Five strong arguments that show the legitimacy of rights to be supported:
(a) Common practice (v.7) – three rhetorical questions that acts as metaphors from the daily life
➢ Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? – military setting
➢ Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? – horticultural life
➢ Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? – poultry livelihood
Point: All illustrations show compensations are derived intrinsically from the work, not external!
(b) Scriptural precept (vv.8-10)
Note: Paul makes a stronger case by appealing to the law of Moses... Dt 25:4 = “You shall not muzzle an ox when it
is treading out the grain.” But what is the connection to pastoral support? = “for us”
Issue: Did Paul resort to practice allegorical interpretation and proof-texting?
[ Thiselton, 139 ] – “Contrary to popular misunderstanding , Paul seldom grabs isolated “proof-texts” out of the
air, but knows full well as a trained student of Scripture the context that surrounds his citations. In the context
surrounding Deut. 25:4, the laws in the main “all serve to promote dignity and justice for human beings.” Since
it is in Christ that humankind finds what it is to be “human” as God purposed humanity to be, these ideals for
humanity relate to God’s speaking in our interest (Gr. di hemas, v.9b) or on our account (v.10) in this
Deuteronomy passage.”... This is not an example of “allegorical interpretation.” Paul conceives of Old
Testament revelation as a historical unfolding of God’s will for his people.”
Point: Paul is arguing from the lesser to greater – an established method of interpretation

[ Hodge, 157-8 ] – “He only means to say that the law had a higher reference. Although the proximate end of the
command was that the laboring brute should be treated justly, yet its ultimate design was to teach men the
moral truth involved in the precept. If God requires that even the ox, which spends his strength in our service,
should not be defrauded of his reward, how much more strict will he be in enforcing the application of the
same principle of justice to his rational creatures.”
(c) Intrinsic justice (vv.11-12)
Note: Paul brings his argument to its logical conclusion – sowing spiritual things results in expectation of reaping
material benefit... this is not a new teaching from Paul but from Jesus himself...
➢ Lk 10:7 = And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his
wages. Do not go from house to house.
[ Taylor, 214 ] – “This line of reasoning not only extends of sowing/reaping language appropriate to the
agricultural example of the ox but employs once again the lesser/greater logic in the verse. If those who
labor in ministry sow spiritual things (the greater), then should they not at leas reap a material harvest (the
lesser)? Furthermore, if others used this right of support from the Corinthians, even more so do Paul and
Barnabas possess the same right (9:12a).”

(d) Jewish custom (v.13)
Note: τὰ ἱερὰ (ta hiera) refers to the cult in general, but obviously Paul has in mind the Jewish temple service
➢ Like the plowman and the plodding oxen, priestly duties in the temple entail ‘real work’
➢ Hence, they are entitled to be sustained by the very work that they do
Point: By using this Levitical (or priestly) parallel from the OT, Paul strengthens his argument
(e) Christ’s command (v.14)
Note: This is the highest level of authority Paul employed – command of Jesus himself (cf. 1 Tim 5:18)
➢ In the same way (οὕτως καὶ, houtōs kai) = the Lord’s command accords with reason, common practice in
secular and religious occupations, and OT law
➢ the Lord commanded (διέταξεν, dietaxen) = to arrange thoroughly... to charge, appoint
Point: That gospel preachers be supported by the ministry is God’s sovereign design that transcends human wisdom
2. Paul’s refusal to exercise his rights (9:12, 15-18)
(a) vv.12, 15 = we have not made use of this right... nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision.
(b) v.12 = but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ
(c) vv. 15-18 = For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting
[ Riddlebarger, Loc. 443.5 ] Paul probably means that even though he preaches the gospel freely and without pay,
nevertheless he is entitled to a reward (wage). Since Paul has been called by Christ (and is therefore a slave of
Christ) he has no choice but to do as he has done. He is fulfilling that obligation which Jesus Christ has laid
upon him. Paul is responsible to God and can do nothing else but preach Christ crucified. He asks, “What then
is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my
right in the gospel” (v. 18).