20260526 [새벽묵상] 내게 주어진 당연한 권리를 내려놓음의 역설 The Paradox of Relinquishing One’s Natural Rights (고전/1Cor 9:1~10)

9:1 내가 자유인이 아니냐 사도가 아니냐 예수 우리 주를 보지 못하였느냐 주 안에서 행한 나의 일이 너희가 아니냐

9:2 다른 사람들에게는 내가 사도가 아닐지라도 너희에게는 사도니 나의 사도 됨을 주 안에서 인친 것이 너희라

[Paul’s Rights as an Apostle]

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

9:3 나를 비판하는 자들에게 변명할 것이 이것이니

9:4 우리가 먹고 마실 권리가 없겠느냐

9:5 우리가 다른 사도들과 주의 형제들과 게바와 같이 믿음의 자매 된 아내를 데리고 다닐 권리가 없겠느냐

9:6 어찌 나와 바나바만 일하지 아니할 권리가 없겠느냐

3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don’t we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?

9:7 누가 자기 비용으로 군 복무를 하겠느냐 누가 포도를 심고 그 열매를 먹지 않겠느냐 누가 양 떼를 기르고 그 양 떼의 젖을 먹지 않겠느냐

9:8 내가 사람의 예대로 이것을 말하느냐 율법도 이것을 말하지 아니하느냐

9:9 모세의 율법에 곡식을 밟아 떠는 소에게 망을 씌우지 말라 기록하였으니 하나님께서 어찌 소들을 위하여 염려하심이냐

9:10 오로지 우리를 위하여 말씀하심이 아니냐 과연 우리를 위하여 기록된 것이니 밭 가는 자는 소망을 가지고 갈며 곡식 떠는 자는 함께 얻을 소망을 가지고 떠는 것이라

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? 8 Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

            어제 말씀이었던  8장의 내용 전체는 우상에게 제물로 드려진 음식을 먹을 자유에 대한 이야기였습니다. 그 음식을 먹던지 먹지 않던지 아무 상관이 없는 것이었지요. 그러나 사도 바울은 마지막 절인 8:13에서 “만일 음식이 내 형제를 실족하게 한다면 나는 영원히 고기를 먹지 않겠다.” 고 말씀하셨습니다. 바울은 자신이 자유하다는 지식이 있었습니다. 하지만 그 지식을 행사하기 보다는 사랑으로 덕을 세우기 위해 그 자유를 제한하는 결정을 내리는 것이지요. 자 이 논지는 오늘 본문에 그대로 이어집니다. 당시 고린도 교회에서는 바울이 사도인가 아닌가에 대한 논쟁이 있었습니다. 그때 바울은 묻습니다. “내가 자유인이 아니냐? 사도가 아니냐?” 무슨 말입니까? 나는 자유인이다. 사도다. 그러나 나는 내게 주어진 당연한 권리, 자유인으로서의, 또 사도로서의 권리 내려놓았다. 그래서 너희가 나를 오해하고 있다는 것입니다. 이것은 권리포기의 역설입니다. 자신이 가진 권리를 내려놓음으로서 오히려 바울은 복음을 위해 모든 것을 내려놓은 사도의 모습을 증명하고 있는 것이지요. 오늘은  “내게 주어진 당연한 권리를 내려놓음의 역설”이라는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

[Introduction: The Decision to Limit Freedom]

In yesterday’s passage from Chapter 8, Paul discussed the freedom to eat food sacrificed to idols. Theoretically, whether one eats such food or not makes no spiritual difference. However, Paul concludes in 8:13 with a radical statement: “If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again.” Paul possessed the knowledge that he was free, but instead of exercising that right, he chose to limit his freedom out of love, to build up the church.

This line of reasoning continues directly into today’s text. In the Corinthian church, there was a heated debate over whether Paul was a "true" apostle. Paul asks them pointedly: “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle?” He is saying, "I am free, and I am an apostle. However, I have laid down the natural rights and privileges that come with those titles."

This is the paradox of relinquishing rights. By surrendering his rights, Paul actually proves his identity as an apostle who has sacrificed everything for the sake of the Gospel. Today’s message is titled: “The Paradox of Relinquishing One’s Natural Rights.”

            먼저 바울은 권리를 내려놓음으로 자신이 진짜 사도임을 증명합니다. 우리가 고린도전서 1장에서 보았듯이 고린도교회는 서로 다른 사역자들을 따르는 사람들끼리 당파를 나누어 다투었습니다. 누구는 바울을, 누구는 아볼로를, 누구는 베드로를, 누구는 그리스도에게 속한다 하면서 나는 누구에게 세례를 받았으니 누구파다, 내가 진짜다. 이런 싸움을 하고 있었지요. 그러다보니 누가 진짜 사도인가 하는 논쟁이 벌어졌던 것 같습니다. 그런데 바울은 이런 논쟁에서 논란이 되기 너무 좋은 조건을 가지고 있지요. 열두 제자들처럼 예수님과 공생애를 보내지도 않았고 또 그는 본디 기독교인들을 핍박하던 사람이었습니다. 그가 부활하신 예수님을 다메섹으로 가는 길에서 목격하고 회심했다고 하지만 그가 정말 예수님의 부르심을 받은 자, 즉, 사도의 요건을 충족하는지에 대한 의문은 항상 꼬리표처럼 그를 따라다녔을 것입니다. 그런데 그러면 오히려 더욱 사도로서의 모습을 갖추어야 하지 않겠습니까? 다른 사도들처럼 복음 전도자로서 마땅히 교회에 음식과 재정을 요청하고 또 다른 사도들처럼 결혼해서 아내와 함께 사역하면 얼마나 좋습니까? 아, 다른 사도들은 복음 전파에만 집중하는데 이 바울은 아직도 천막 짓는 일을 해서 먹고 살고 있습니다. 도무지가 그럴싸한 사도의 모습이 아닌 것입니다. 바울이 사도인가 아닌가? 이 질문에 대해 바울은 2절에서 이렇게 말합니다. 함께 읽겠습니다. “다른 사람들에게는 내가 사도가 아닐지라도 너희에게는 사도이니 나의 사도 됨을 주 안에서 인친 것이 너희라.” 무슨 말입니까? 내가 사도라는 것을 증명하는 것이 너희, 고린도교회다 라는 말입니다. 1절에 “주 안에서 행한 나의 일이 너희가 아니냐?” 너희가 바로 나의 사역의 열매다. 라는 것이지요. 다른 사람들은 나의 겉모습과 행동을 보고 나의 사도됨을 비판한다고 하더라도 너희 고린도교회 안에 그리스도의 증거가 견고하게 되는 것이 바로 내가 사도임을 증명한다는 것입니다.

[1. Proof of Apostleship through Sacrifice (v. 1-6)]

First, Paul proves his true apostleship by laying down his rights. As we saw in Chapter 1, the Corinthian church was divided into factions following different leaders. People were arguing over who baptized them and which faction was superior—the Paul faction, the Apollos faction, or the Cephas faction.

Naturally, this led to a debate over who was a "real" apostle. Paul was an easy target for such skepticism. He hadn't spent the years of Jesus’ earthly ministry with Him like the Twelve, and he was originally a persecutor of Christians. Even though he claimed to have seen the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, the question of whether he met the "requirements" of an apostle followed him like a shadow.

In such a situation, wouldn't it make more sense for Paul to demand the status of an apostle even more fiercely? Other apostles were supported by the church with food and finances, and many traveled with their wives. But Paul? Paul was still working as a tentmaker to support himself. To some, he didn't "look" like a proper apostle.

To this doubt, Paul responds in verse 2: “Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” He is saying, "You, the Corinthian church, are the proof." The fact that their lives were transformed and that the evidence of Christ was established in them through Paul's ministry was the ultimate "seal" of his calling. Their very existence as a church proved he was sent by God.

            두번째로 바울은 세상 뿐만 아니라 율법 안에서도 자신의 권리를 내려놓았습니다. 바울은 7절을 통해 자신의 권리포기가 사람의 예, 즉 일반적인 사회 법칙에 맞지 않음을 말하고 있습니다. 그 첫번째 예는 군인입니다. 군대에 끌려가면서 돈을 내는 사람이 어디 있습니까? 훈련소에 들어가는 순간부터 지급품으로 생활을 하고 월급을 받지요. 그것은 당연한 것입니다. 농부가 포도원을 만들면 그 맺힌 포도를 수확하지 않겠습니까? 마찬가지입니다. 목자 또한 자신이 기르는 양 떼의 젖과 양털을 통해 수익을 얻습니다. 이것은 당연한 세상의 이치입니다. 그런데 율법도 이를 말하고 있습니다. 바울은 신명기 25:4을 인용하여 이렇게 말합니다. 9-10절을 함께 읽어보겠습니다. “모세의 율법에 곡식 밟아 떠는 소에게 망을 씌우지 말라 기록하였으니 하나님께서 어찌 소들을 위하여 염려하심이냐? 오로지 우리를 위하여 말씀하심이 아니냐 과연 우리를 위하여 기록된 것이니 밭 가는 자는 소망을 가지고 갈며 곡식 떠는 자는 함께 얻을 소망을 가지고 떠는 것이라.” 곡식을 터는 일을 하는 소가 입으로 그 곡식을 집어 먹는 것을 막기 위해 망을 씌우지 말라는 명령은 마치 동물 보호에 관한 규정처럼 보이지요. 하지만 바울은 이것을 복음을 전하는 사도들을 위한 말씀으로 확장하였습니다. 밭을 가는 자든 곡식을 떠는 자든 자기 몫의 소산을 얻게 될 소망으로 그 일을 하는 것이라는 것이지요. 그러니 복음을 전하는 사도들도 하는 일만 다를 뿐 마땅히 생업에 종사하는 사람들로부터 자신의 몫을 받아야 한다는 것입니다. 그것이 세상의 이치로도, 또 율법의 이치로도 맞는 일이라는 것입니다. 그렇기에 그들은 사도를 물질적으로 돕는 것이 당연하다는 것이지요. 그런데 바울은 이렇게 당연한 권리를 사용하지 않습니다. 그 일로 자신이 사도인지를 의심당하는 상황에까지 이르는데도 그는 자신의 권리를 완전히 내려놓았습니다.

[2. Relinquishing Rights in Light of the World and the Law (v. 7-10)]

Second, Paul relinquished his rights not only according to worldly logic but even according to the Law. In verse 7, he shows that his decision to give up his rights goes against common social practices. He gives three examples:

• The Soldier: Who serves in the military at his own expense? From the moment a soldier enters training, his needs are provided for, and he receives a wage. That is only natural.

• The Farmer: Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes?

• The Shepherd: Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?

These are basic principles of the world. But Paul goes further to show that the Law says the same. Citing Deuteronomy 25:4, he asks in verses 9–10: “Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.”

The command not to muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain might look like an animal welfare regulation. However, Paul expands this to apply to apostles. Whether one is plowing or threshing, they do so with the hope of receiving a share of the harvest. Therefore, it is only right—according to both worldly logic and the Law—that those who preach the Gospel receive their living from those they serve.

Yet, Paul chooses not to use this natural right. Even though his refusal to take support leads some to doubt his apostleship, he has completely laid his rights down.

            말씀을 맺습니다. 8장의 말씀에서 그는 자신의 음식에 대한 권리를 형제를 실족케 하지 않게하기 위해 포기한다고 말했습니다. 마찬가지입니다. 바울은 분명한 예수님의 사도이고 그가 사도임을 그가 세운 고린도교회가 증명합니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 그는 자신이 가짜 사도라 오해를 받을지언정 자신의 사도된 권리를 사용하지 않았습니다. 뒤에 나오지만 그가 그렇게 한 것은 모두 복음을 위해서 였습니다. 내게 주어진 당연한 권리, 내게 주어진 자유와 선택. 여러분은 무엇을 위해 사용하고 계십니까? 복음을 위해 그 권리를 내려놓으실 수 있겠습니까?

[Conclusion: What is Your Right For?]

In Chapter 8, Paul surrendered his right to eat meat to avoid stumbling a brother. Here, he surrenders his apostolic rights to avoid hindering the Gospel. He is a true apostle, and the Corinthian church is the living proof. Nevertheless, he would rather be misunderstood as a "fake" apostle than demand a right that might get in the way of the message.

He did all of this for the sake of the Gospel. We all have natural rights, freedoms, and choices. What are you using yours for? Would you be willing to lay down your "rightful" claims if it meant the Gospel could advance? I pray that we may all experience the power of this paradox—finding our true identity in Christ by laying down our lives for His name.

Amen.