THE HONORARIUM SERIES 2

THE HONORARIUM SERIES (2)

What Did Paul Teach about Honorarium?

In the ninth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the church of God at Corinth, he emphasized a few important things regarding the welfare of ministers of the gospel.

To begin with, he was teaching on brotherly love and a pattern of self-denial in light of this (chapter 8 into chapter 9): in chapter 9, self-denial in the sense that although it was supposed to be the responsibility of the church to cater for his needs, he deliberately didn't ask for such from this particular church because of some peculiarities with them that could stand as a hindrance to the gospel. (In chapter 8–9 of his second letter, he taught them extensively on giving to further show that this is a cardinal Christian practice.)

Now let's examine this.

1 Corinthians 9:1–14(NKJV)

1 - 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?

2 - If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Follow closely.

3 - My defense to those who examine me is this:

4 - Don't we have the right to food and drink?

5 - Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?

6 - Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

He and Barnabas were still working to fend for themselves despite the burden and heavy demand of ministry.

However, he went ahead to emphasize the responsibility of the church regarding the welfare of ministers of the gospel.

7 - Who ever 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?

These rhetorical questions are to stress that ministers of the gospel are meant to be taken care of.

“Who ever goes to war at his own expense?” This means that if a soldier would expect to receive wages for his service, a minister of the gospel should expect the same.

“Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit?” This likens the church to a vineyard and the minister to the planter. While serving the church, the church should in turn be of benefit to them like a vineyard yields fruit to the planter. Same thought is communicated in, “Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?”

8 - Do I say these things as a mere man? (human opinion) Or does not the law say the same also?

9 - For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?

“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”

This was a reference from the law of Moses in Deuteronomy 25:4. A muzzle is a device used to cover an animal’s snout (basically it's mouth) in order to prevent it from eating. So what is the purpose of this law? As the ox is used to thresh the grain (that is, to separate the grain from the husk by treading on it), you should not prevent it from being a beneficiary by eating some of the grain.

“Is it oxen God is concerned about?” Paul went ahead to stress that this law was not given just for the sake of oxen but that God had laborers in mind.

10 - 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.

11 - If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?

The welfare of ministers of the gospel should be of primary concern to the church.

12 - 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.

13 - Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

This talks about the Levitical priesthood of the Old Covenant—certain portions of the offerings and sacrifices were for the welfare of the priests and Levites (Num. 18:8–19; Deut. 18:1). The welfare of God’s ministers has always been in God’s mind right from time, and he has directed us to see where this should come from.

14 - Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Can you see that?

As clearly explained in Part 1, we see that Jesus instituted this practice. So Paul’s emphasis on this Christian practice was premised on the Lord’s directive.

We find this instruction time and again to show that it is a cardinal Christian conduct.

Galatians 6:6(NKJV)

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

We should see it not just as a good thing but as a responsibility to give to those who bless us with the word.

Did Paul receive honorarium? Yes, he did.

Like I explained in Part 1, an honorarium is not only premised on being invited to preach, and then a package or some money is given. Once something is given as a “gift” in appreciation for one’s ministry, it is a honorarium. (I will explain this further in Part 3.)

Philippians 4:10–20(NKJV)

10 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11 - Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 - I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

14 - Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress.

15 - Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.

16 - For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17 - Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18 - Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

19 - And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 - Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

The consistent fact is that it is not demanded for. Those who give do so out of their freewill. The price is never predetermined by the minister.

Paul in his letter to the church in Corinth encouraged them to give as much as they had the ability to (1 Corinthians 16:2).

As much it is freewill, it should always be seen as a responsibility. It is as much a responsibility as it is freewill.

1 Timothy 5:17–18(NKJV)

17 - Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

18 - For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

Here, Paul used “honor” in the context of honorarium. That’s why he quoted two references in verse 18 that we have examined already.

The giving of honorarium is not a “modern church thing.” It is an age-old Christian conduct right from Bible days.

Blessings.

Victor Ibosiola © 2023

Read further here: The Honorarium Series (3): Vital Lessons to Learn

Antecedent part: The Honorarium Series (1): What Did Jesus Teach about Honorarium?