 Okay, so we're looking at an interesting topic about things that are offered to idols and specifically he's talking about the eating of things, so we know that he's talking about food offered to idols and eating of it. And so the Kondin culture had, it was an idol worshipping culture and so there were idols, there were temples and as was the norm, there were food that were being offered to idols and as a part of the worship of it, food was then distributed to those who were worshipping in the temple but also the other thing is that there was food that was sold in the market which may have been offered to or consecrated or blessed by the idol, which was used as a ritual and then sold in the market. So these options, these scenarios were possible. So Paul is actually addressing the topic of food offered to idols and this is just one part of it we see in chapter 8 and then in chapter 10 we see that he deals with it even more in detail. So here like we saw earlier he says that idol is nothing and the food offered, eating of food also is nothing in the sense, it does not commend us to God it not, take us closer to God nor does it prevent me from going closer to God, it's just food. And also he says that an idol, it's the presence of course, it's an image, a graven image, it could be a picture, whatever a statue but we know that it is nothing because we know that there is one Father, the Son and everything was made through them and through him and for him. So he says that because of this knowledge you don't get puffed up and you don't let it not make you proud and let you love God and because of that you are known by God and let this love be in your heart, let it edify you and not cause you to and let this knowledge not cause you to be proud or arrogant so you look down on others and so on. So let this be your attitude. So with that he says you have the freedom, you have the freedom, you have the liberty to eat those things. So he's saying less somehow this freedom of yours, it becomes a stumbling block. So someone who is not as strong as you are, someone who is weak, who is an immature believer, who's not a mature believer, who's still maybe new to the faith, who does not have this kind of understanding. So let this not become a stumbling block for them and cause that brother to perish in the sense that, you know, this person sees you doing this, he says, you know, sees you eating in a temple, which means that he's saying that that's fine. Even if you do that, you have the freedom, you know, you have this knowledge. So it's fine. But if another brother who is weak who does not have this maturity and understanding if he sees you doing that, and he does the same, but he is weak, right? He does not have this understanding. And you will actually cause him to stumble in his faith, in his spiritual walk, right? And it is what happens then. So he caused him to sin and you wound their weak conscience and you therefore you sin against Christ. So let's read that. We'll stand onward. If anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idols temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols. And because of your knowledge, shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died. And when you thus sin, when you sin in this manner, when you thus sin against the brethren and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. So Paul is saying, you know, this is the scenario and this is why I will not eat food that is offered to idols. It's a completely different thing from what we are normally used to hearing. So Paul is giving the reason. He's saying, when you eat food offered to idol, someone who does not have that understanding, you're causing that person to sin. And if because of food, you're causing that person to sin, then you're actually sinning against Christ because you wound their weak conscience. You're causing them to sin. Therefore, you sin against Christ. So for this reason, he's saying, I will not rather eat meat at all. So our freedom and our understanding, our knowledge of the truth should not make us proud, but we should actually have, because of love, for God and for other believers, we should actually be concerned about their walk and your decision regarding freedom, it is, you know, you need to be, we need to be concerned about their walk as well. Okay. And, and therefore, you know, you walk with sensitivity and not cause others to fall, think about that. And in that manner, you know, when you walk, you will not sin against Christ, because if you're actually causing another person to sin, because of your freedom, because of your action, then, you know, you're actually sinning against Christ. Okay. So any questions here? Have you ever looked at food offered to idols in this manner, you know, eating food offered to idols in this manner? Right. Any, any questions? What are your thoughts? Just want to hear from you. Yes. Anyone, Dave, would you like to say, you know, about food offered to idols? You know, have you thought about, you know, this perspective about food offered to idols? Oh, especially when it is directly dedicated to the temple and then people bring it and share it to you like, like you call it like Prasad in, is it in Hindi or in Nepali Prasad? So, so those I regard not to take it. Like when we were in school, our friends did, they do go to temple and bring such foods like, like, like those. So those food, I would not rather not take first. But in temple, like, yeah, like in, like, like some kind of, when people invite you for something, then I think it's okay to take the food that deserves it. But have you considered the reason why Paul says, you know, don't eat it? You know, or Paul is saying that I will not eat for this reason. Yeah. Because like, yeah. My opinion would be, it's because the food is directly offered to the, to the God, I mean, there's the reason. So, so if you partake that food, we are, we are partaking in, in their, their their belief, their thing that they are, they are somehow getting connected with their God. So, so we, I think we cannot do that. Okay. But, but what if, you know, you know that the idol is nothing, you know, that the all powerful, all knowing God is the God you worship. So in such a scenario, in such a case, you know, will you still consider that, you know, that taking part in the worship when you, you know, eat food offered to idol? If I go wrong. Yes, go ahead. Yeah, Thomas. Oh, go ahead there. Go ahead. Knowing that the food is offered to, yeah, we know that the idol is, our God is powerful than the idol, but, but, but, but my thinking would be, the devil, he works in very cunning way. So if we give a foothold to him, he will somehow try to do something which, which so many times we, we do not know, we do not think about it. But the, there's, even though it's, it looks like a person idol, but there, there are spirit behind, behind those. And that the evil spirit would, they will work somehow. That is why I would not. Okay. Okay. Right. Thomas. The thing is, another passage Paul explained when a matter of taking the convenience, how can you take the most table and then coming in table together, that scenario is also there. And my experience past, I wasn't fishing. I will never bother to take the, this put ups to the items, especially I used to go with the friends to the, and I won't worship. But along with them, I used to eat some things and then what happened? This people understood. Oh, okay. Also God, that is why he also, you know, honoring these things and all see other Christians and all won't take it, but Thomas is a good person. He respects all the God and he believes all the gods. So some, some we are acknowledging what they're worshiping is a God according to them. So that somewhere hit my mind. So when I understood those things, I stopped taking those things. And suddenly they asked me why all these days you take part in these things, but now we are not eating. And now I realized what is that I said like that, then they didn't force. Right. So that went that way. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's, that's interesting. You know, I think, yeah, so that's the, that's the thing. No, like, see, one thing is that we don't have to fear the idol or even, you know, see, look at it this way. What did the Lord say that those who believe in him, what will you do? You will go lay hands on the sick, right? You'll pray for the sick to recover. They'll recover. You will lay hands. You will pray with other tongues. You will also cast out demons. Okay. So which means we have the upper hand that you will cast out demons when it comes to demons or any, you know, assignment of the very, any weapon of the enemy, right? Look chapter 10 and verse 19. The Lord says to his disciples that behold, I give you power. I give you the authority to trample on serpents, scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Okay. So he has placed us in that position. So we do not have to fear. We do not have to be afraid. We do not even have to have a second thought. Okay. Of, you know, whether those things will affect me or it'll cause something in me, we don't have to have that. But if that thought is there somehow, it's better not to, it's better not to eat, right? But Paul, you know, if you look at this chapter very clearly, you know, very, if you read through, he's saying, yes, you know, people do consider so-called gods and, you know, there are these idols and there's worship of it, etc. But we know that it is actually nothing when compared to God. These are nothing, right? Yes, like they've said, you know, there is that spirit behind the idol. There is that, you know, and he is actually Paul talks about it in chapter 10. Okay, so we will look at that also. Okay. But before we go there, you know, before we finish chapter 9 and go there, I just want to, you know, make it clear the reason why Paul says, he will not eat. It is not that this thing will somehow affect me. You know, he never gives that at all. In fact, he says, you know, food does not commend us to God, nor does it, you know, you know, what are the exact words that he says? Food does not commend us to God. Yeah, for neither if we eat verse 8, right? Food does not commend us to God. For neither if we eat, are we the better? Nor if we do not eat, are we the worse? Okay, so he's putting it very clear. Now, I know that this is offered to idols. I know that this is maybe used in an act of worship or whatever. But eating it, not eating it, is not going to affect me. He says, but this is Paul, right? He's saying this is not going to affect me because I have that knowledge that this is nothing. Okay. So I have this knowledge. I'm confident. I have this faith that I know who I worship, that he is all powerful, all knowing, and he is only God. These things are not God's. I know that. And so me eating it, not eating it, does not make a difference to me. Okay. However, me eating it, if it is going to cost someone else's faith, like what Thomas is sharing about, about his friends, saying that he thinks he's actually worshiping. Thomas is by taking part in this thing and he's eating this prasad, he's eating this offering. So therefore, he must be thinking that this is also God. He, Thomas thinks that all gods are one. So this is what Thomas's thought is. This is what he thinks. Now, what is that? If that is the case, then we are being a stumbling block. Okay. So to their, no, these are not believers, obviously, in Thomas's case. But this is their, they are coming to a wrong understanding. Okay. Now, if they were, let's say, if there are other believers, okay, who are, they're probably new to the faith. Okay. So now they would also probably come to the conclusion that, hey, Thomas is doing it, he's a good Christian, and I'm just starting to be a Christian. I think it's okay, right? I think it's okay to do it. And even though I know, I fear this idol, I know these things can attack me, et cetera, but Thomas is doing it and I think it's okay, right? So what is happening there? That person considers that idol to be something, considers eating food offered to idols to be something, and he's eating. And that causes him to stumble in his faith. That causes him to be weak in his faith or stumble in a spiritual walk. So now, so then, like Paul is saying, I will not, I will not eat of it. Okay. That is the reason for me to eat, not eat. He's referring to meat that is sold in the market or meat that is offered to idols. So you say, I will not eat, you know, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat. I will, I choose to make this decision that I will never again do this because I don't want to make my brother stumble and I don't want to sin against Christ. Okay. So we need to understand why he's not eating or why he's saying, you know, if my eating causes my brother to stumble a weaker brother, then I will not. Okay. So it is not because, you know, this is going to affect me spiritually. This is going to attack me spiritually. None of those reasons, you know, we don't see any of those reasons there. In fact, he quotes the opposite of that. His reason, when he builds up the case, you know, whatever he says is, he's getting the opposite of that. He's saying, you know, I know this is nothing. I know this food is nothing. Food offered to I listen to nothing. I know that and food does not change anything between me and God. So if I don't eat it, it's not the word. If I eat it, it's not going to affect me in any way. So he makes all those statements. No, we need to understand that, you know, why he is not eating. Okay. Because, you know, even in our country, I know all of us face this kind of a, you know, scenario one way or the other, we might have faced this kind of a situation. Maybe, you know, while in neighbors, if you're working in office, that happens, office, there's some kind of a worship thing happening or a puja or something. And then, you know, we face that. So we need to be clear in our understanding. Why am I saying no or why am I saying yes? We need to be clear. And it should be for the right reason. So that is why I'm just reiterating this. Why does Paul say no? When he chooses to say no, why does he say no? It is so that the weaker brother does not fall. So that the other person does not stumble. He says, I have the knowledge. I have the freedom. So he's addressing all the people who have the knowledge and have the freedom and who want to go about and just live, you know, live confidently and say, okay, I know this won't affect me in any way. So I will eat anyway. So he's addressing all those people. That entire group of people saying, okay, why should I bother? Doesn't affect me. I'll do it. But he's saying, okay, that's fine. You have the freedom. But consider who is watching you when you're doing it or who is with you when you're doing it. The weaker brother, the weaker sister. Okay. So we need to, you know, get clarity and understand this clearly. So in chapter nine, however, he goes on, he addresses a different topic. Okay. So let's look at chapter nine. And when we continue on in chapter 10, we will see the connection of, you know, again, food offered to idols and he reiterates certain things again. Okay. Okay. So let's look at chapter nine. Okay. So chapter nine, he's addressing, he's going to be sharing something about his life, you know, some personal decisions that he made. And he's sharing that because there were people in who were actually disputing Paul's claim to be an apostle. Okay. You know, you recall, right? Paul says in the first chapter, in the second chapter, right? He talks about, you know, why are you people saying I am of Paul or I am of Apollos? So there were people in the contingent who were saying, you know, I am of Apollos. You know, I don't consider Paul to be that great. I consider Apollos to be great. And I consider Peter to be great. Sefa, Peter is great. But I don't consider, you know, Paul to be great. So also, you know, so there were such people and who were actually disputing that Paul, was Paul really an apostle? Was he, you know, is he an apostle? And I don't see any proof of that. You know, I don't see any evidence of that. Was Paul really a call to be an apostle? And in his ministry, is it apostolic in any way? Right. You know that the word apostle in Greek apostolos means the one who was sent out, the one who sent out on a task commissioned by God, commissioned for a particular task. Generally it just says, it's a term that is used in the army and referred to, you know, people who are sent out to conquer the land. So apostolos sent out once. If someone authorized and who represents the kingdom and the one who, the king who sends, hence sends out that person. So fully authorized by that king to represent the king and sent out to carry out the task or the purpose for which they are sent out, right? So they, you know, doubted that. So Paul is going on to write certain things here. Now when it comes to, you know, apostola, you know, you would study in the apostolic more information. There are three kinds of apostles that we see. One is the founding apostles or the 12 apostles of the Lamb. Sorry. The ones whom Jesus appointed, you know, he called them, he appointed them. And after Judas, you know, Judas' death, there's, we see Matthias, you know, who's added to the list. And we see that, you know, there are the early apostles. So we call them the apostles of the Lamb, which we see in Revelation 21. These are the 12 apostles, okay? Then we also see some of the founding apostles, you know, the others who are referred to as apostles. And Paul is one of them, like Paul, who, you know, who writes the, you know, lays down the doctrines, writes two-thirds of the, you know, scripture, who's called by God to do that, and sees, is the founding apostles, right? They brought Revelation to the church and so on. Then we also see the third category of apostles, which is the ministry gift of the apostles. Like we see in Ephesians chapter four, verses 11 and 12. Now, these are appointed by the Lord Jesus. He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, for the edifying of the church, Ephesians 4, 11 and 12. So we see that this is also, you know, these are also apostles, right? So we see that there are three broad categories of apostles. Now, Paul, you know, God was using him as an apostle, and Paul, you know, he gives evidence or he says, you know, in chapter nine, he's saying, my defense to those who examine me is this. And he writes down certain reasons why he is an apostle. Okay, so let's, and in doing so, he lists down, he doesn't say, you know, I had this encounter on the road to Damascus, and I heard the voice of the Lord Jesus. And even when, you know, when I was ministering to you guys, the Lord Jesus came, stood next to me and encouraged me. He doesn't give any of that as evidence, but he says, you know, I was sent to serve, right? And I sacrificed these things. I went through these hardships. Okay, so he gives that as evidence of the Apostolic ministry. So it's interesting to say that, see that, right? Okay, chapter nine, verses one, am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Okay, so he asked these questions, rhetoric questions there. The answers are all yes, right? So he says, you know, am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen the Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? Okay, if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. Okay, okay, let's say you're saying that, you know, I'm not an apostle to any of the other people or other churches, other groups. But definitely for you, I am because you are my, you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. Okay, meaning that I came, I preached the gospel to you, and it was with the demonstration of the power of God. I taught you, I was there for, you know, one and a half years. I taught you, I taught you from the word, I, you know, taught you about this, the gifts and the power of God, the Holy Spirit and all that. And then you also see that demonstration of that power in your own lives. So definitely, if I'm not for someone else, definitely for you, you know, you are the seal of my apostleship, the very fact that I ministered to you and, you know, and you received the ministry and the fact that you are believers in the Lord, the fact that there is a church, you're part of this church is, you know, because of my apostleship. Okay, so it starts with saying that you are the seal of my apostleship. My defense to those who examine me is this. Okay, that's what he says in verse three. My defense, I want to give some proof, I want to give some evidence, and my defense is this. Okay, what is this? So he's saying, you know, do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the apostles of the Lord and Sifas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Whoever goes to war at his own expense, who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? Do I say these things as a mere man, or does not the law also say the same also? So he's saying, you know, all these rights and responsibilities, I have these rights as a person in ministry, as also the other apostles to take a believing wife. And to, you know, so Paul, what he's saying is, you know, I chose willingly not to do that. I chose to, you know, make certain, I chose, I made some decisions in my life, right? I chose, okay, you know, to remain single. I chose to, you know, not stop working, right? Because we see that he was a tent maker by profession, so he worked and he, through that money, he supported himself, his expenses, and also the expenses of the team in some cases, right? And others would also support the ministry, of course, but, you know, he chose to work, right? And also in certain places, you know, especially in Corinth, he chose not to ask them for support. Okay, so he made a decision, he will not ask them for support for the ministry, etc. He took care of his own needs and all that. So he's saying, you know, I did all this, okay? I did all this, and this is how I, these are some things that I sacrifice. Now, who goes to war at his own expense? Will a soldier take care of his own expense? Or will the king and the, who's sending the soldier take care of the expense? Or from the kingdom, right? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat? You know, you're taking, you plant a vineyard and won't you eat of the grapes? Or, you know, won't you eat of the produce? And if you have a flock, if you take care of the flock, you nurture the flock, won't you, you know, make use of, you know, whether it's milk from the cow, or, you know, won't you use that for your sustenance? You will, okay? So he's saying, do I say this as a mere man? Or does the law also say that? Does scripture also say that? Is there a scriptural example for doing this? Okay, so he's saying, it is written in the law of Moses, verse nine, or it is written in the law of Moses, you shall not muzzle an ox while it threads out the grain. Is it oxen God is concerned about? Or does he say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless, we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Look at his perspective. So he's saying, others have this right. In the Bible, we see in the scriptures, in the books written by Moses, so he's quoting from Deuteronomy saying, the Lord says, the instruction is not to muzzle an ox while it's threshing the corn. If it wants to eat, you eat it, let it eat. Don't tie its mouth, don't muzzle an ox, don't tie its mouth, so that it's unable to eat while it's doing that work of threshing the corn. If it eats a mouthful, it's fine. So that is what we see. And also, one who soars, one who tilts the land, one who soars the land, he does it in hope that he can partake of some of those. So what is it? If we have sown spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? That we get material benefits out of, because of our ministry, some offerings that you gave to use that, is it wrong? He says, nevertheless, we have not used this right. It is the minister's right to do that, but we have not used it. I have not used it. But endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. Even if it is lack, I endure it. Even if there's hardship, I endure it. Lest I hinder the gospel of Christ. For some reason, you think that I'm here just for the money. And you don't receive Christ because of that. Lest I hinder the gospel of Christ, the good news of Christ, because of some of the things that I, my actions, it is right. It is my privilege. But because of this, I don't want to hinder the gospel of Christ. I don't want to hinder you from receiving the gospel of Christ. For some reason, you make a decision and you're saying, this man is for the money and he's come here to take our money. And so I'm going to resist him and his message. I don't want that. So I supported myself. Verse 13, do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple? Because he's talking about the tabernacle and the priest goes and the high priest goes in. He will eat of the food that is there or the bread that is there. He will eat of the showbread, actually. So he's saying that do you not know that those who eat of the things of the temple? I'm sorry, he's not talking about the tabernacle, but he's talking about the temple itself. That same principle that those who serve partake of the offerings of the altar. Even so, the Lord is commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me. For it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. So he's saying, did I not, even though the Lord has laid down that principle, that those who serve minister, they should partake of what people give or what material things. That is the principle. But I have not used it. And even when I'm writing to you, he's saying, you know, even when I'm writing to you in this letter about this, it is not that I'm expecting anything because you read this, don't give me material things. Okay. So he's saying, you know, this is not my expectation. Okay. But I'm writing to clarify certain things. So this is not my expectation. So he's saying, you know, I'd rather die than if anyone should make my boasting. You know, this, I'm boasting about this. I don't want this boast to be made. And you know, I don't want it to be cancelled or made void. I'd rather die. Wrong. Because he did it for a very, you know, he did these sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of that they, nothing should stop them from receiving the gospel. Right. So, so he feels very strongly. You know, I'd rather die than my boasting be made void or empty or, you know, be cancelled. Anyway, right. So he's saying, verse 16, for if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of for my necessity is laid upon me to lay it upon me. Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. So I'm not preaching this gospel as, you know, as something that's like he's saying, you know, that even though it is, you know, it is, these are the reasons and this is the principle behind the support of those who minister, you know, that's not the reason I'm preaching. Right. I'm preaching it out of a necessity. I'm preaching it as a good steward. And I'm, if I, you know, there is a responsibility I have towards God. Right. He's saying woe is me if I don't preach the gospel. Like let me be cursed if I do not preach the gospel, you know, very strong. Romans one also he says, all right, Romans one and 15, 15 or 16. He says, I'm not ashamed of the gospel. Because it is the power of God, Romans one and verse 16. I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God. So he knows this is the reality. And he is preaching because it is a necessity for him. You know, he understands that this is, I'm a steward. I'm called, I'm sent by God. I'm commissioned by God to preach the gospel. Therefore I will preach not for the other things. Not because I get some material benefit. Not because, you know, I need to live in this manner. No, I'm supporting myself. I'm doing this and woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. So he's saying in verse 17, right. Sorry, verse 16. If I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, of necessity. For necessity is laid upon me. Yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. But if against my will, I have been entrusted with the stewardship. So he's saying, you know, in other words, he's saying that I'm doing this willingly. I have a reward. I'm doing this willingly. And it is a stewardship. I have been entrusted with the stewardship, right. We know who a steward is. One who is faithful to the things that they have been entrusted. The responsibilities that have been given or the resources that have been given to him. Like a steward is like a manager, an overseer, right. He says that earlier also, you know, who are we? We are stewards of the mysteries of God, he says, right. You consider us as servants of God, as stewards of the mysteries of God. So he's saying, you know, that I have this stewardship. I have to be faithful to that. So I do it willingly. I share this gospel willingly. So what is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may, verse 18, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. Okay, so this is, this is my reward. I want to present the gospel without charge, you know, without any material benefit to me, without any profit to me. I don't want to charge you for it, right. And the thing is that I don't want to abuse my authority. I have authority, the authority for edification, right. He talks about that. Authority has been given to me, right. As a servant of God, I have the authority. But I don't want to abuse or misuse that authority in the gospel. Okay, so, you know, some powerful truths. Life change is protective to be a servant of God, to be a servant of Christ, right. Paul shares that. And he says, verse 19, for though I am fit from all, and I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more. And to the Jews, I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews. To those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law. To those who are without the law, as without law, not being without law toward God, but under law towards Christ, that I may win those who are without law. 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. Now, this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Okay, so, you know, you see Paul's heart. You know, he's reason for doing ministry. Okay, and the way he did it, like saying to the Jews, I became as a Jew. If there are certain things, I will just, maybe the way he ministered, it will be from the scriptures, it show them from their own scriptures, to the big, I became as a Jew. You know, I would go into the synagogue, observe certain things. To the ones who are under the law, as those who are under the law, you know, similar to Jewish people. And those who are without the law, yes, as a person who's without the law, but he makes a clarification, you know, not as a lawless person without Christ. Okay, he says, but under law towards Christ, not being without law toward, not as a person who does not, you know, consider God or consider the values or the truth and etc. But as under law towards Christ, that I might win those who are without law, who are, you know, non-Jewish people, Gentiles, that I might win them over. Okay, and so I, to the week I became as weak, that in all things, I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some. Okay, so this is what I want to do, that I want to relate to people. Become irrelevant to people, not compromise on my own, you know, purity. You know, that's what he says, right? Not as without law towards Christ, not to compromise on the message, not compromise on my own purity, etc. But I want to be all things to all people, so that by all means, I may save some, that they may come to the saving knowledge of God. Now this I do for the sake of the gospel, right? That I may be a partaker of it. So this is what he says, that I've been entrusted, I'm a steward, I do it willingly, I don't do it for material benefit, and I do it so that people will be saved. Okay, this is why I do it. This is why, this is how I do it, and this is the reason why I do it, or why I'm minister in these ways. Okay, now you are asking me whether I'm an apostle, you are examining, you know, you're saying, you know, is Paul really an example, you know, an apostle? Let me tell you, you know, this is how I minister. And these are the reasons why I minister in this manner. Then verse 24 to 27, do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize, run in such a way that you may obtain it? And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now we do it for, no, do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus, not with uncertainty, thus I fight, not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself become disqualified. Okay, so he's saying that everyone who runs in a race, now he's talking about, you know, the race and typically the Greek, you know, they would have these sporting events in that arena. So he's saying run in such a way that you may obtain the prize. Okay, don't just go for a jog or, you know, don't just run without any direction, without any purpose, live your life with purpose, with a sense of direction, and the purpose is to obtain the prize, right, live with purpose. In other words, he's just saying live with purpose. He's not saying, you know, you live competitively or, you know, not like that. He's saying you live with purpose. Okay, now he says, now everyone who competes for the prize, this is the direction, this is why they are competing or running the race, is temperate in all things. Which means is the word he uses there is temperate, means when a person is sober-minded, is disciplined in all their, you know, the way they live their lives, right, is verse 25, right. So saying is temperate, is disciplined, who are the people who are, who want to actually run in such a way so that they can obtain the prize. Okay, so he's, the word he, the Greek word he uses there, you know, the person will be self-controlled. Okay, the person is not going to be without control, person will be self-controlled, self-disciplined. They are able to, you know, live in a way that is temperate. Okay, in other words, they are empowered by the Holy Spirit and, you know, they are living in a disciplined way. So he's saying that, you know, so they do it, why? Right, anyone who's competing for a crown is saying, you know, in a sports event, they live in a disciplined manner. They might exercise, wake up at a certain time, you know, practice, you know, exercise their body, their muscles and so on, so that they are strong. In order to win a crown, win a prize, that is perishable, right? It is perishable in the sense, you know, it's, yeah, it's, it has some value, but you know, it's a material thing, right? It'll be, it is perishable, it's for a short time and someone else will win it the next time, right? It's for a short time, but we do it for an imperishable crown because the reward is an eternal reward. Right, a spiritual thing, which does not perish, right? So, but we do it for an imperishable crown and therefore I run, but not with uncertainty. So I think therefore I run, meaning, you know, when the Bible talks about walk, walking and running, running, living to our life, the way we live our life, our lifestyle, right? Walk as led by the spirit or run with endurance. It talks about our life, the way we live our life, the way we make our choices, right? So it says I run not with uncertainty, but with certainty, okay? And thus I fight the sense, he's talking also, not talking about fighting with people, you know, he, even if there is a spiritual fight of faith, he says not as one who beats the air, but, you know, as, or just, you know, punching in the air without any meaning, without any, without any target, but I do it, I discipline my body and bring it under subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself might become disqualified, right? So when I preach, he's saying, you know, I want to live it out, whatever I'm preaching, I want to live it. I want to, you know, I don't want to say something and then live another way. And at the end of it, you know, I myself become disqualified. No, I don't want to do that. So this is how I minister. So these are the evidences that I'm placing before you, the ones who are examining and saying, you know, am I really an apostle? Okay. So you're saying this is, this is how I sacrifice. These are the choices I made. And this is the reason I share the gospel, right? It is because I'm a steward and I do it willingly. I don't do it for a, you know, for many material benefit. And this is how I live my life with self discipline, being temperate, and I do it with certainty, you know, knowing the purpose for which I am sent. And I live my life like this because I don't want to preach something and do something else. My life and preaching are one and the same. I don't want to become disqualified after I have preached. Okay. So with that, we come to the end of chapter nine and very interesting, right? Chapter eight and chapter nine. So next session, we'll continue. So today we looked at the half of chapter seven and chapter eight and chapter nine. Okay. So, okay, we'll stop here. You guys have a good week and we'll meet again, right? God bless.