1 Corinthians 9:13-18, especially vss. 14, 15:
"Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live
from the gospel. But I have used none of these things...."
The First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth reveals an immature and troubled congregation struggling with a wide variety of problems. With Divine worship so central to the life of the Church, it is not surprising that the worship of the Corinthian Christians was troubled and fraught with several serious issues.
This week we will have an opportunity to follow St. Paul as he addresses a number of these problems. Despite two thousand years in time and significant cultural disparities between then and now, it is amazing how many of these problems still emerge in the Church today.
In a cursory reading through today's lesson, one readily sees that the Apostle is pressing to establish the principle that congregations should provide for the support of those who "minister the holy things" (vs. 13). Note, however, that St. Paul exempts himself from all benefits under this rule (vs. 15).
Instead, he places himself in a special relationship with those to whom he had brought the gospel (vss. 16-18). At the same time, he reminds us that the support of those who minister at the altar is "a given" of long standing among the People of God, dating back as far as the Mosaic Covenant (2000 BC) and to the "temple service" as well (vs. 13). More pointedly, the Apostle recalls that the Lord Jesus Himself "commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (vs. 14), referring, presumably, to Christ's directive in Matthew 10:10, and reiterating a well-known principle in the Church (1 Tim. 5:18).
Unfortunately, the struggle to assure adequate provision for the clergy still has not resulted in full support for all clergy. Occasionally, historic circumstances have made it difficult to keep this command of the Lord, as when the North American Mission abruptly lost all funds from Russia - a major source of its income - because of the 1918 Bolshevik revolution. Still, there are a few situations today where failure to support the Priest is defensible. Most of these are in new parishes or in older parishes serving communities with declining populations.
This basic, Scripture-attested Tradition absolutely extends to clergy pensions and health coverage as well. The entire Church should assure that older Priests, when they are ready to retire from the demands of full-time ministry, should be able to do so without concern for personal, spousal, and family maintenance. Thank God our Bishops and lay officers are making serious efforts to correct all inadequacies connected with clergy support for retirement and essential health-care coverage for all Priests and their families.
Another point in this reading was long ago noted by St. John Chrysostom: "As in the case of the priests ‘of the temple'...so we see here, ‘of the Gospel;' and, as there he says, ‘eat' so here, ‘live,' not make merchandise or lay up treasures." Bluntly, one does not undertake the solemn duties of the Priesthood to become enriched. Of course, a balance must be struck between adequate provision by parishes and reasonable expectations by their clergy.
Finally, observe how the Apostle sought to avoid applying this rule for his own support. He very carefully stated the principle so that the Corinthians would not think he was seeking funds from them (vs. 15). His "necessity" to "preach the gospel," was derived from the Lord. He was delighted at having to provide his own maintenance, for in supporting himself to preach the Faith to them, he had experienced the free nature of grace, living as God provided (vs. 18).
O Lord, enkindle the hearts of Thy people to make adequate provision for Thy Priests so they may serve Thee freely in the work of Thine earthly vineyard for the salvation of our souls.
