1 Corinthians 9:1-27: Paychecks, Paul and Pastors

Rev. Ben Dose, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Arcadia, IA, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study 1 Corinthians 9.

Have you ever heard anyone say that pastors shouldn’t get paid? That they should do their work for the sake of the gospel? Many pastors have heard these sentiments. In this part of his letter, St. Paul is defending his work as an apostle. He also points out that being an apostle shouldn’t prevent him from getting married or working a job. Nor should they refuse him the means to provide for himself and his family (if he had one). Paul teaches them that, as a minister, he has the right to financial support from the congregations he serves. The twist comes when he then says he refuses such support so that no one could question his motives. In this episode, Pastors Booe and Dose discuss what God says through St. Paul about making a living from the gospel.