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 For though I was free
from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.” (2 Cor.9:19) While the
apostle Paul recognized a sense of indebtedness to all men, he was never obligated to any man in such a way as
to hinder his obligations to the Lord. How all Christians, especially evangelists, need to be “free” and “under
bondage” in this same sense!
Paul
was free from men because he was not preaching for money. Even though he stoutly maintains his right to be supported
by the Corinthians, he foregoes that right in the interests of this particular work. When he did receive wages
it did not flavor his teaching; he taught the same things in every church (1 Cor. 4:17). Any man whose teaching
is tempered by financial considerations places himself under bondage to men — but in the wrong sense. lie is no
longer free to teach all truth by which souls are gained. Those who will not endure sound doctrine always seem
able to secure teachers after their own lusts (2 Tim. 4:3). Whether by tacit or declared agreement, such teachers
know what subjects they are not to “bear down” on. Undoubtedly, wages have enticed many to look at certain Bible
truths in a compromising light—or at least to muzzle their convictions. Any evangelist who can endure where sound
doctrine cannot is never free from all men — he is really their own hireling, to their detriment and his.
Neither
was Paul obligated to men because of his sins. Nobody ever “had anything” on Paul that could place him in a compromising
position. Regrettably, the influence of some is seriously impaired by
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their
unbecoming conduct and bad habits.
Such
are not unlike the elderly man lamenting over being called a “nasty old snuff-dipper” by a female friend. When
asked about his reply to such a charge he confessed, “Well, I couldn’t say much at the time — I happened to have
a dip of snuff in my mouth.” Likewise many Christians become hamstrung by their own sins. With Paul we should be
able to say, “Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ”.
Furthermore,
Paul had no respect- of-person obligations to men. He both spake and applied the whole counsel of God without favoritism,
even to rulers and fellow-apostles. Having done this he could rightly claim to be “pure from the blood of all men”.
He reminds Timothy to do nothing by partiality (1 Tim. 5:21). To “shield” friends and family (or any other sinner)
from Bible truth is like hiding life-giving medicine from a sick man. The most urgent need of every sinner is the
forgiveness offered through the gospel of Christ. How strange that some “Christians” would be more concerned about
“bedside manners” than healing the patient; with the favor of men more than their salvation! Such prove themselves
to be more the slaves of public opinion than of Christ.
Consequently,
we must remain “free from all men” in order to serve their best interests and “gain the more”. Our ties with men
must never become shackles to hinder their salvation — or to hinder our walking with God.
Dan S. Shipley
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