¹⁶ For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^(A) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^(B) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^{(C) 18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^(D) and so not make full use of my rights^(E) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(F) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(G) to win as many as possible.^(H)

²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^(A) I have become all things to all people^(B) so that by all possible means I might save some.^{(C) 23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(D) Run^(E) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(F) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(G) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(H) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(I) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(J) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(K)

³⁹ He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit?^{(A) 40} The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.^(B)

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.