1 Corinthians 9:13-14
The Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel may receive their living from the gospel.
13 Don’t you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?
14 Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from the Good News.
The Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel may receive their living from the gospel.
Paul reinforces the legitimacy of financial support for gospel ministers by appealing to the temple system and to the command of the Lord Jesus.
Paul continues defending the principle that those who labor in gospel ministry have a rightful claim to material support. After drawing examples from common labor and from the Law of Moses, he now appeals to temple practices familiar to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. Temple workers regularly received provision from the offerings associated with worship. Paul then connects this principle to the teaching of Jesus, showing that gospel ministry operates under a similar pattern of provision.
Temple service in both Jewish and pagan settings involved designated workers who received portions of sacrifices or offerings as their provision. This model was widely recognized across the ancient world and provided a familiar analogy for Paul's argument.
Rights Surrendered, the Gospel Advanced, and Discipline for the Prize
Christian freedom and legitimate rights must be surrendered whenever necessary for the advance of the gospel, the salvation of others, and faithful perseverance in Christ.