There is a saying that is important when both giving a public speech, or when writing an article, and that is to consider your audience. Who will be reading what I write, or listening to the message I bring? If someone was going to give a talk to a group of senior women, their introductory, warm-up paragraph might not best be talking about the latest hockey statistics. Nor would it be ideal when talking to high school guys to talk about various knitting and crocheting techniques. Neither would be big hits with those audiences. It’s always best to consider the various demographic groups when speaking, and Paul knew this when he brought the Gospel to various cities around the Mediterranean. In our New Testament Scripture for this week, the Apostle Paul explained how he considered who he was with, who he was witnessing and preaching to, with how he approached them, something that would make it easier and more productive when presenting the Gospel.
As our Scripture opens, Paul briefly explained to the Corinthian church that he was compelled to preach the Gospel, he had a calling, a commission (vs. 16-17). God chose Paul for this work. It was a valuable stewardship. He felt driven by the desire to do what God wanted, and to use his gifts for God’s glory. However, Paul was not proud, as if this were his Gospel. Nor was he proud about the way he preached it, as if it were his ability. Paul preached from a divine compulsion. He felt that he had no other choice, as he knew that God had chosen him for this service.
Paul also did not put a price tag on his ministry. He did not charge the churches he preached at, nor ask for a salary from anyone. He believed that the Gospel of Jesus was for everyone and needs to be told, and he was not going to attach a fee to that. A price must never be put on the Gospel (vs. 18). A preacher should make sure that he does not exploit people, but rather he should edify them. Just because Paul didn’t charge a high fee, or take a salary, though, didn’t mean that he didn’t give it his very best. The preaching of the Gospel must never be looked at in any manner except that we give it our very best. Otherwise we will lose the reward.
As our Scripture continues, Paul went on to explain something that many had given him a lot of argument about, and that was how he acted, how he behaved, how he presented the Gospel in different groups and settings. As we see throughout the Book of Acts, when Paul went on his missionary journeys, he usually would search out a synagogue in whatever village he was in. Then on the Sabbath he would go and teach from various Old Testament Scriptures about the Messiah, and how Jesus fulfilled those prophecies. However, that wasn’t always how he operated. For instance, when Paul went to preach in Athens, a much more Gentile audience, he opened his message with quotes from some of their poets. A different tactic to reach a different audience. The more Jewish the audience, the more Jewish his approach. The more Gentiles there were, he would use a different style (vs. 19-23).
This also carried over in his day-to-day life. He did not want to cause any offense with anyone he was staying with or eating with. Though as a Christian, Paul was not bound any longer to Jewish ceremonies and traditions, when witnessing to them, his love compelled him to give no offense, such as kosher laws, keeping the Sabbath, holy days, etc. (vs.20). He knew he could eat whatever he wanted, but his love for others told him it wasn’t charitable to bring a pork sandwich, topped with bacon to eat in front of the Jewish people he was with. This was the same when he was ministering to a Gentile group, as long as none of God’s moral laws were violated.
Paul never compromised his convictions or his calling, but he was willing to find common ground, and meet his audience wherever they happened to be. Within the pounds of God’s Word, Paul did not want to offend Jews, Gentiles, or those weak in understanding. Without compromising the truth, Paul would condescend in ways that could lead to understanding. Paul’s foremost desire was to see people saved. Whatever it took in terms of loss of personal freedom, he was prepared to pay the price.
When we look for opportunities to tell others about Jesus, (which should be all believer’s desire), we should follow Paul’s example, and seek to find common ground with those we talk to. Try to make others feel accepted. Be sensitive to their needs and concerns. Concentrate on things that encourage peace and assist other’s growth. Will it encourage peace, or hurt and offend? Is our goal the same as the Apostle’s? Paul’s greatest object in life was to see people saved. He sought to glorify God and bring people to Christ.
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