All things bear record · 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 9

4 witnesses of Christ here, and 1 further echo from the reading.

Paul saw the risen Lord

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 1 Corinthians 9:1–2

Paul's apostleship rests on having personally seen the resurrected Jesus Christ; an apostle is a special witness of Christ.

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How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • the same event in Acts 9:3-5 — The risen Jesus appears to Saul on the road to Damascus.
  • the same event in 1 Corinthians 15:8 — And last of all he was seen of me also.

Jesus (His brothers)

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 1 Corinthians 9:5

Paul mentions the brothers of the Lord Jesus from His mortal family, a quiet reminder that He lived as a real man among a real family.

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The gospel of Christ and the Lord's instruction

If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:12–14

Paul refuses anything that might hinder Christ's gospel, even though the Lord Jesus taught that those who preach should be supported by it.

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How we know: the verse itself names Him

  • alludes to Luke 10:7 — For the labourer is worthy of his hire.
  • alludes to Matthew 10:10 — For the workman is worthy of his meat.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for the Hebrew Messiah)

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. 1 Corinthians 9:18

Paul preaches Christ's gospel freely.

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How we know: the verse itself names Him

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for the Hebrew Messiah)

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. 1 Corinthians 9:21

Though free from the law of Moses, Paul lives under Christ's law and is accountable to Him.

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How we know: the verse itself names Him