1 Corinthians conclusion
Conclusion: An Imitator of Christ
Paul's argument in chapters eight through ten reaches its pinnacle in First Corinthians 11:1, where Paul writes, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." Considering the life of servitude that Paul has just detailed, the conclusion of what he instructed in First Corinthians 9:19-23 now comes sharply into focus. If we substitute Jesus for Paul in this passage we have:
Paul's argument in chapters eight through ten reaches its pinnacle in First Corinthians 11:1, where Paul writes, "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ." Considering the life of servitude that Paul has just detailed, the conclusion of what he instructed in First Corinthians 9:19-23 now comes sharply into focus. If we substitute Jesus for Paul in this passage we have:
For though I (Jesus) am free from all, I (Jesus) have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I (Jesus) became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I (Jesus) became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I (Jesus) might win those under the law. To those outside the law I (Jesus) became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I (Jesus) became weak, that I (Jesus) might win the weak. I (Jesus) have become all things to all people, that by all means I (Jesus) might save some. I (Jesus) do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I (Jesus) may share with them in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:19–23).
Compare this to what Paul instructed the Philippians:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:3–8).
Those that interpret Paul's words in First Corinthians 9:19-23 to mean that Paul became a Gentile and lived liked Gentiles, eating unclean food, and incorporating Roman holidays into the worship of the one true God, truly have a problem. For though Christ was in the form of God, he emptied himself and took the form of a servant, born in the likeness of men, and demonstrated obedience, even to the point of death. Christ was a man, yet he did not sin (2 Corinthains 5:21); he came to be a servant, but not once did he violate God's commandments. Even when the sins of the world were placed upon him, he of his own volition, committed no sin, and demonstrated obedience to God, even to the death. Paul saw this selfless act of servitude and this uncompromising obedience to the commandments of God as something to be modeled, something to be imitated. Jesus' life was the perfect example, or the goal (see Romans 10:4) to which the Torah pointed.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life (Philippians 2:12-16a).
We live in a crooked and perverse generation, yet we are to follow Paul's example as he followed Jesus' example of servanthood. We do not exercise our own rights, even things we have claim to (just as Jesus did not claim his right to be King). Rather, we are to become servants of all, while not compromising, mixing, or violating a single commandment of God. This is our calling.
Bibliography
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2011). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Barrett, C.K. (2005). Paul. London: Continuum International.
Brown, M. (2007). Jewish Objections to Jesus, Vol. 1-5. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Brown, M. (2012). The Real Kosher Jesus. Lake Mary, FL: Frontline Charisma.
Bruce, F.F. (1971). The New Century Bible Commentary: First and Second Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Edersheim, A. (1994). The Temple: Its Ministry and Services. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
Fee, G.D. (1987). New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Garland, D.E. (2003). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Jervell, J. (1984). The Unknown Paul. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
Nicole, R. (1958). “New Testament Use of the Old Testament,” Revelation and the Bible (ed. C.F.H. Henry). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Stein, R.H. (1993). “Jerusalem,” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (ed.G.F. Hawthorne and R.P. Martin). Downer's Grove, IL: IVP.
Witherington, B. (1995). Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Witherington, B (1998). The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
1 Corinthians Chapter 10
Bibliography
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2011). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Barrett, C.K. (2005). Paul. London: Continuum International.
Brown, M. (2007). Jewish Objections to Jesus, Vol. 1-5. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Brown, M. (2012). The Real Kosher Jesus. Lake Mary, FL: Frontline Charisma.
Bruce, F.F. (1971). The New Century Bible Commentary: First and Second Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Edersheim, A. (1994). The Temple: Its Ministry and Services. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
Fee, G.D. (1987). New International Commentary on the New Testament: The First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Garland, D.E. (2003). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
Jervell, J. (1984). The Unknown Paul. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
Nicole, R. (1958). “New Testament Use of the Old Testament,” Revelation and the Bible (ed. C.F.H. Henry). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.
Stein, R.H. (1993). “Jerusalem,” Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (ed.G.F. Hawthorne and R.P. Martin). Downer's Grove, IL: IVP.
Witherington, B. (1995). Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Witherington, B (1998). The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
1 Corinthians Chapter 10