For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!  (17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.  (18) What is my reward then?  That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more…….(22) to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. (23) Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a partaker of it with you. 

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul as a letter of encouragement and correction. Paul had founded the church at Corinth and soon after (as usually happened)  false teachers arrived at Corinth intent on perverting the doctrine of the gospel he preached.  And apparently at Corinth there were also personal attacks on Paul challenging his authority as an apostle.

In chapter nine of Corinthians, Paul gives us a description of his life and ministry.  He had williing given up his right to support from the church – he waived any hindrance to the gospel and compared his working to support himself to the behavior of the false teachers.  He viewed his preaching of the gospel as a sacred obligation and goes further to say he was called by God to preach and a curse be upon him if he did not do so.  Paul was prepared to go to any lengths to fulfill his sacred trust and he does so willingly.  He was committed to his calling to any and all extent.

Paul let go of some of his liberty so as not to impede the gospel and accommodated himself to all.  Becoming all things to all men was only an appearance and here he meant ceremonial and indifferent things, not unlawful or doctrinal things. His design was to bring men to Christ, not to promote himself.  Paul purposes to gain all to salvation in Christ and he amends this to saving some which is chilling. His goal is to partake of the gospel with them meaning he lives always with the goal of eternal salvation.

Not only are we to embrace the gospel but all must persevere. Paul uses the analogy of the Isthmian games (held in Corinth) and the prize for running the race – having begun the race we must finish.  For the many who run the Christian race they will win when death alone ends the race