There was a bear kept in a small cage for 20 years. Even years after its release into the wild, it wore a path into the ground as it paced over and over in a small circle. Though it was outwardly free, it remained inwardly captive.

In 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Paul is writing to Christians who—though free in Christ—have remained captive to self-indulgence and self-centeredness. They are “addicted to…power, prestige, and pride” and to a “flagrant and flamboyant lifestyle.” Their exercise of their own “rights” has led them to actions that are defiling, tripping up, and destroying their fellow believers (8:1-12). Paul writes to tell the church: True freedom is found in forgoing one’s rights to love others and for the sake of the Gospel.

Paul makes his case by showing that ministers of the Gospel have a right to provision (9:1-14), but he has not taken that right (v. 15). His forgoing support to instead work a demanding physical job (tentmaking) caused offense in Corinth. But this was an intentional choice, so that Paul would be truly free (v. 19) to preach the Gospel freely (v. 16-18). By laying down his rights, he lives out the pattern of the cross of Christ who gave up his rights to save us (2 Cor 8:9, Phil 2:6-8).

The Gospel frees Paul to gladly abandon his rights (Gal 5:13)—taking on the Mosaic Law to reach Jews and Gentile God-fearers (v. 20, Acts 16:3, 18:18); not following the law among Gentiles (v. 21), pursuing the weak – those who are impressive or notable according to worldly standards (v. 22, 1 Cor 1:27)—all for the “sake of the gospel” (v. 23) so that he might “win” others (v. 19, 20 x2, 21, 22) to Christ.

Taking It Home: How is your life a living picture and participation in the self-giving love of Christ?