11 (A)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

(B)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things (C)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 (D)Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the (E)temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so (F)the Lord has commanded (G)that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But (H)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for (I)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for (J)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, (K)I have a reward; but if against my will, (L)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That (M)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel [a]of Christ without charge, that I (N)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:18 NU omits of Christ

11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(A) 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.(B) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(C) the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?(D) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(E)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(F) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(G) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(H) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(I) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(J) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(K) and so not make full use of my rights(L) as a preacher of the gospel.

Read full chapter