The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 306

i_nsk1?ccs are adduced in illmtr,1tion ~,·er. 7). (L) 'l'he soldier. 'l'he duty of fighting !or Ins country throws the ~urden of Ins support upon others. ·why should it be other- wise with the Christian soldier (2 Tim. ii. 4)? (2) The husbandman. His labour is rewarded by the fruit. The minister of the gospel is also a husbandman ( eh. iii. 6-9). (3) The shepherd. Does he not receive the milk of the flock, partly for food and partly for exchange? "Thy should not the Christian pastor, who tends the flock of Christ, have a similar return (1 Pet. v. 2)? The principle in these instances is that every occupation in common life yields support to the worker, and that he does not require to go beyond it for daily sustenance. In like manner, the minister of the gospel is entitled to an adequat~ maintenance without having to resort to secular work to supply his wants. 2. The teachin9 rf the Mosaic Law. "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox," etc. (ver. 9; Dent. xxv. 4; comp. 1 Tim. v. 18). What was the meanincr of this injunction? It shows, indeed, the care of the Lawgiver for the brute creation, b~t it is only a particular application of a great principle. Tbe Law has regard for oxen, not for their own sake, but for the sake of him to whom they are in subjection. And if even the labouring ox \Yas to_ be fed, !low much more should the plougher and the thresher work in hope ot partakm~ ! The La:w o~ Moses t~us confirms the teaching of natural analogy, that the labourer 1s to be mamtamed by his work. 3. The fairness ef the claim. "If we sowed unto you spiritual things," etc. (ver. 11). In every case the sower expects to reap; but the1:e is mo~e than this in the apostle's argument. 'l'he preacher of the gospel sows spintual thmgs-those great truths that minister to the spirit: is it a great matter if he looks for carnal things in return-those things that minister only to the flesh? If he is the instrument, in God's hand, of saving the souls of his hearers, what amount of gold can be an adequate recognition of the service rendered? 4. .Analogy of the Jewish priesthood. (Ver. 13.) The rule was that they who served at the altar should receive a portion of the sacrifices and other gifts that were constantly brought to the t~m pie. A sufficient support-was thus secured; and the Divine sanction implied in that ancient rule applies equally to the case of the Christian ministry. 5. The express ordinance of the Lord Christ. (Ver. 14.) When he sent forth his apostles to preach, he said," Get you no gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; . . . for the labourer is worthy of his rood" (Matt. x. 9, 10). 'l'his was their marching order. 'l'hey were to depend on the offerings of the people among whom they la.boured ; and the reference here shows that this was no temporary arrangement, but that it was intended to be the New Testament rule for preachers of the gospel. Instead of having to turn aside to secular pursuits, they are to be free to give themselves wholly to their work. By these various arguments the apostle establishes the right of ministers to claim support at_ the hands of the Cbristian people, and the corn:sponding duty of the people to contribute that support. Both the right and the duty have been but imperfectly recognized by the Church. This will appear if we consider: (1) The average rate cif ministerial support. Compare this with the incomes of men in the other learned professions or in mercantile pursuits, (2) The manner in which giving tu the cau~e of Christ, is fre~uently 7:ega:ded. How many either give with a grudge or do not give at all! The e~1l resultmg 1s twofold-;- spiritual loss to the individual, and a crippling of the Church m her work. Not until all the tithes are brought into the storehouse wil! the Lord open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing (Mai. iii. 8-10). II. THE RENUNCIATION oF THIS RIGHT. (Vers. 15-18.) Strongly as Paul insists upon b:s right to temporal maintenance, i~ is ~ot with a_ vi~w to ~rge h\s claim upon the !Corinthians but to brin" into clearer relief his renunc1at1on of it. 'lhat he preached , the gospel free of c!UJ.rg: was to him a matter of boasting which he would rather die ·than be deprived of. It was no glory to h!m ~hat he was a preac?er; for, as a stewa1;d 1iut in trust with the gospel, this was !us s1mp)e duty. . But 1t was no part of h!s stewardship to labour without support; and tb1~, accordrngly,· ,~as a proof of his sincerity in which he was entitled to boast. In this act of self-demal he had a reward in making the gospel entirely free, and in securing tha_t on this_ grou~d no hindrance ~bould be put in its way (ver. 12). Here some practical considerations emerge. 1. How a minister of the gospel should bear !timself towards pecuniary support, 'l'h~re arc cases in which he may forecro his fr,]it, especially where he sees that thi~ renuncia- tion will tend to the advancen;cnt of tl1e gospel. -Usually, however, it is his duty to accept a stipend at the hands of the Christian people, and that for the reason which led  en. rx. 1-27.J '1.'HE FIRS1' EPISTLE '1.'0 THE COillNTIII.,xS.