1 Corinthians 9:12-23

English Standard Version

¹² If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, ^(A)we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything ^(B)rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that ^(C)those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord commanded that ^(D)those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

¹⁵ But ^(E)I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone ^(F)deprive me of my ground for boasting. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For ^(G)necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with ^(H)a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^(I)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

¹⁹ For ^(J)though I am free from all, ^(K)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might ^(L)win more of them. ^20 (M)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To ^(N)those outside the law I became ^(O)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but ^(P)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ^22 (Q)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. ^(R)I have become all things to all people, that ^(S)by all means I might save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, ^(T)that I may share with them in its blessings.