Is Paul's teaching about rewards in 1 Corinthians 9 his own idea or inspired by the Holy Spirit?
Paul's teaching about rewards in 1 Corinthians 9 is by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not merely his own human idea. It is what God wants believers to understand, confirming that Paul's instruction about rewards carries divine authority rather than being simply man's opinion.
Les teaches that Paul alludes to rewards over and over in 1 Corinthians 9, and that this teaching is by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, not just man's idea—it is what God wants us to understand. In the surrounding context, Les explains that salvation is a gift, but God logically expects recipients to serve and work for reward. Rewards are what believers receive for what they have done in the body during this earthly sojourn, and they should not be confused with the crowns, such as the crown of righteousness and the crown of life. Every believer has something God has given that can be used as a gift and can precipitate rewards, even though not everyone works in the same area.