Sermon Tone Analysis

What About My Rights?

Last week we ended with the last verse of chapter 8 which Paul says that he would never eat meat again as long as he lives if he felt it would cause another believer to stumble.

Then he changes pace a little in chapter 9 in which he starts defending himself again.

Let’s read it together:

Verse 1

Paul asks three questions

Am I not free?

Am I not an Apostle?

Haven’t I seen Jesus?

Wasn’t it because of my ministry that you are saved?

Verse 2

It doesn’t matter what others think about Paul’s Apostleship because the Corinthian Christians were proof of it.

Verses 3-5

Paul’s answer to those questioning his authority

Apostles have the right to eat and drink.

They have the right to be married as other apostles at that time were.

Verse 6

Is it only Paul and Barnabas that had to work to support themselves?

Verse 7

Paul uses three analogies here to appeal to there humanity.

Soldier

Doesn’t pay to fight, rather he gets paid to fight a war.

Farmer

Gets to share in some of the harvest

Shepherd

Reaps the benefit of the milk

Verses 8-10

Paul appeals to their religious side and brings up the Law of Moses.

The ox would be used to separate the wheat from the chaff by walking on or pulling a grinding stone over the wheat.

The muzzle was meant to keep the ox from eating the grain which was their livelihood.

The muzzle wouldn’t have been beneficial for the owner because it didn’t promote the health of the ox, and the health of the ox was worth much more than the amount of grain it would’ve eaten while treading.

Was the Mosaic law about animal right or Human rights?

He who plows should do so in hope

He who treads should partake in hope also

Human Rights:

Right to life;

Equality;

Equality; x Security of person; x Freedom from slavery; x Freedom from arbitrary arrest/detention; x Freedom of movement and residence; x Due process of law; x Freedom of opinion and expression; x Freedom of association and assembly; x Right to safe and healthy working conditions; x Right to form trade unions and to strike; x Right to adequate food, clothing, and housing; x Right to education; and x Right to health.

Security of person;

Freedom from slavery;

Freedom from arbitrary arrest/detention;

Freedom of movement and residence;

Due process of law;

Freedom of opinion and expression;

Freedom of association and assembly;

Right to safe and healthy working conditions;

Right to form trade unions and to strike;

Right to adequate food, clothing, and housing;

Right to education; and

Right to health.

Verses 11-14

It’s a great thing for apostles to reap material things where they’ve sown spiritual things.

The priest ate of the holy things

Those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Verse 15-18