Reading through the Bible-Why Paul did not claim his rights

1 Corinthians 9:19, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them."

The Christians in Corinth were complaining that Paul was not acting like a free person. They believed that they should take advantage of all their rights as Christians. But Paul did not do that, so they considered it hard to respect his authority.

For example, they claimed a right to eat any food, even food that people had offered to a false god. Paul agreed that they had that right. However, he refused to do it. He did not want anyone to imagine that he was giving honor to a false god (1 Corinthians chapter 8).

They also claimed that their church leaders had the right to receive wages. Paul agreed, but he refused to accept the money (9:6-18)!

Now Paul explains the reason for his attitudes, which seemed so strange to them. He did such things because he wanted to bring more people into a relationship with Christ. If any of Paul’s rights made it more difficult for someone to trust Christ, then Paul would not claim that right.

Only a free person has the right to become like a slave. That was the right that Paul wanted to claim. He would serve all people as he brought God’s good news to them.

Dear God, I claim the right to become like a slave as I share the good news of the gospel to all I meet.