Big Idea: Personal rights must be put aside when they hinder an effective witness to unbelievers, or if they endanger the faith of immature believers. Even theological arguments that disclose certain behaviors as immaterial to the Christian faith become irrelevant in light of the greater assignment to imitate Christ.

Understanding the Text

The transition from chapter 8 seems quite abrupt. Is Paul taking a ninety-degree turn from a question about participation in Corinthian parties (eating meat) to his rights as an apostle to receive monetary compensation for his work as an evangelist? Probably not! The thread that binds the two sections together is personal rights (exousia; e.g., 8:9 and 9:4–6). Paul continues his discussion of rights by underscoring that he himself has every right to co…