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1 Corinthians 9 · Grade 5

A Servant to All

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Read and Think

Chapter 9 illustrates the principle of chapter 8: love may set aside its rights for others. Paul first establishes that he has rights. He is an apostle who has seen the risen Lord, and the Corinthian church is the seal of his apostleship. Soldiers do not serve at their own expense, farmers eat from their vineyards, and priests share in the altar's offerings. The Lord himself ordained that those who proclaim the Good News should live from it.

Nevertheless, Paul refused to use this right among them. He would rather die than lose his boast of preaching without charge. For him, preaching is not optional; necessity is laid on him. His reward is to offer the Good News free of charge. Though free from all, he made himself a slave to all. He adapted himself to Jews and Gentiles, to those under the law and those outside it, and to the weak, becoming all things to all people that by all means he might save some.

Paul ends with a picture of runners in a race and a boxer (9:24-27). Athletes exercised rigorous self-control for a perishable wreath. Believers pursue an incorruptible one. Paul does not run aimlessly or box at the air. He disciplines himself so that, after preaching to others, he himself will not be disqualified. Flexibility in method is joined to firmness in devotion.

Show What You Know

  1. How does chapter 9 connect to chapter 8?

  2. What did Paul consider his reward?

  3. What does becoming all things to all people mean for Paul?

  4. What kind of crown do believers run for?

Crossword

34215

Across

  1. For if I ____ the Good News
  2. That I might gain the ____

Down

  1. If to ____ I am not an apostle
  2. For though I was ____ from all
  3. Am I not an ____

Think About It

  1. Paul adapted his methods to reach different people without changing his message. How can you relate well to people who are different from you while staying faithful to Christ?

  2. Paul disciplined himself so he would not be disqualified. What does spiritual self-control look like in your daily life?

Memory Verse

“To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.”

1 Corinthians 9:22 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for helping me run my race. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you relate to different people without changing the message?
  • What does spiritual self-control look like?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.