Paul's Question to Examiners 1 Corinthians 9:3

Paul the apostle asked four questions of the Corinthian church members: “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?” He continued his discourse by sharing how if he was “not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless” he was to the church in Corinth “for the seal of mine apostleship” were they “in the Lord”, and in chapter nine and verse three of First Corinthians, Paul shared concerning his “answer to them that do examine” him where we read:

My answer to them that do examine me is this,

The verse begins, “Mine answer to them ...” Paul began with the words, “My answer” which means “Paul's verbal defense, reasoned statement or argument” “to them” which refers to “to those who are questioning”. Paul had a “verbal defense” for those who were questioning his authority over them.

The verse goes on to say, “... that do examine me is this,...”. Paul continues with the words, “that do examine” or “who judge, investigate, inquire into, scrutinize, sift and question” “me” which means “Paul” “is this” or “in the following question”. These “examiners” were “judging and investigating” Paul, and he had a response to their questioning.

When we consider these words from Paul, we discover how Paul had to give a “defense” for who he was to some of the Corinthian church members. Jesus Christ sent Paul to begin the church in Corinth, and he was led by the Holy Spirit to do so, and yet, there were some who “questioned” his authority there. Sometimes people do not respond well to our efforts with the gospel of Jesus Christ and even in the church there are those who doubt. We, as Paul, may need to give a “verbal defense” for our labor in the church and while we do, let us never abandon the “call” God Almighty has put upon our lives. God loves us and has commissioned us to His work no matter how many question us in the process.

Next time Paul shares his question with the Corinthians, “Have we not power to eat and to drink?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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