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PREACH NOT FOR GAIN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11
2 Corinthians 11:5-12
1 Corinthians 9:3-18
 
 
“I was chargeable
to no man …”
 
PREACH NOT FOR GAIN
 
We have seen earlier in 2 Corinthians 10 how the opponents of Paul measured others with their own standards in order to put themselves on a pedestal. The godly conduct of the Apostle Paul was, on the other hand, like a light that exposed their dark deeds. In order to promote themselves, they needed to smear the deeds of Paul and make them undesirable in the sight of men. They even had the gall to elevate themselves above the Apostle Paul, making themselves “super-apostles” (cf. 2 Cor 11:5).
 
Paul’s principle was never to preach for the sake of gain. He had declared earlier in 1 Corinthians 9:18, “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.” Paul’s adversaries were now in a dilemma, for their principle of preaching was very different: they were using religion for gain. They were interested in their own bellies and not the souls of men. Paul’s refusal to take any income showed them up for who they were. To save their reputation, they had to pursue either of two paths: get Paul to receive remuneration from the Corinthians or slander his actions. Since it was impossible to get Paul to receive any remuneration, Paul’s opponents had no choice but to slander him. They claimed that a true Apostle would have received remuneration and that the reason he did not was to make gain under cover.
 
Paul had earlier explained his principle of preaching in 1 Corinthians 9. Coupled with today’s passage, we see that Paul did not want to receive any remuneration from the Corinthians because he did not want to be a burden on the Corinthian church. Moreover, he did not want any to have an impression that he was preaching for monetary gain. He was only interested that the Corinthian Christians may know Christ crucified. Using a hyperbole, he claimed to have robbed the Macedonian churches, for these churches were not directly obligated to support him. The adversaries’ accusations were baseless. Paul as a true preacher kept preaching, pay or no pay!
 
THOUGHT: A true preacher will preach God’s Word regardless.
PRAYER: O Father, grant us faithful preachers to feed Thy people.

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