Lesson 4798

 (Lesson 4798) (03-25-25) 1st Corinthians 9:18-27 

   “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Paul explained that his reward was to preach the gospel for free, without demanding his rightful support. He willingly made himself a servant to all, adapting to different groups—Jews, Gentiles, and the weak—so that he might win more souls to Christ. His goal was to reach people where they were, without compromising the message. Paul compared the Christian life to a race, urging believers to run in such a way that they may obtain the prize. He emphasized self-discipline, saying he trained his body and brought it into subjection so that, after preaching to others, he himself would not be disqualified by his own actions. His message highlighted the importance of humility, sacrifice, and perseverance in serving Christ and advancing the gospel. ~