Casuistry Issues in Applying the Gospel III

Introduction:
 
In chapter 9 of I Corinthians Paul continues discussing casuistry and how love supersedes knowledge when it comes to dealing with cases of conscience.
 
Love will make us imitate Christ, by choosing others’ welfare above ours in protecting their conscience.
 
In this chapter, Paul uses his own example as an illustration of how we must choose love over knowledge for the sake of the gospel.

ESV title: "Paul surrenders his rights.“

OUTLINE

I - Paul asserts the basis of his rights 1-2
a) Free in Christ b) An Apostle

b) Secondly, an apostle:

II - Three rights Paul chose not to exercise 4-15
a) Eating

b) Marriage

c) Stipends

III – The Overarching Motivation: (A parenthetical remark) 16-27

a) Natural Law: v7
b) God’s Law: vs 8-10
c) The law of proportion: vs 11
d) The rule of justice and equitability: vs 12
e) The rule of common practice: vs 13
f) God ordained it: vs 14

How does this connect to casuistry?

1. We too have reasons to assert our rights.
2. How does forgoing our rights translate for the sake of the Gospel?
3. We still have a problem…
4. Notice how Paul hinges his points on the Gospel?

I run with my eyes fixed on the prize.

a) I beat my body. It points to what he just described

b) Lest I become disqualified: