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) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(I) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(J) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(K) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(L) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(M) I have become all things to all people(N) so that by all possible means I might save some.(O) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

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16 我 傳 福 音 原 沒 有 可 誇 的 , 因 為 我 是 不 得 已 的 。 若 不 傳 福 音 , 我 便 有 禍 了 。

17 我 若 甘 心 做 這 事 , 就 有 賞 賜 ; 若 不 甘 心 , 責 任 卻 已 經 託 付 我 了 。

18 既 是 這 樣 , 我 的 賞 賜 是 甚 麼 呢 ? 就 是 我 傳 福 音 的 時 候 叫 人 不 花 錢 得 福 音 , 免 得 用 盡 我 傳 福 音 的 權 柄 。

19 我 雖 是 自 由 的 , 無 人 轄 管 ; 然 而 我 甘 心 作 了 眾 人 的 僕 人 , 為 要 多 得 人 。

20 向 猶 太 人 , 我 就 作 猶 太 人 , 為 要 得 猶 太 人 ; 向 律 法 以 下 的 人 , 我 雖 不 在 律 法 以 下 , 還 是 作 律 法 以 下 的 人 , 為 要 得 律 法 以 下 的 人 。

21 向 沒 有 律 法 的 人 , 我 就 作 沒 有 律 法 的 人 , 為 要 得 沒 有 律 法 的 人 ; 其 實 我 在 神 面 前 , 不 是 沒 有 律 法 ; 在 基 督 面 前 , 正 在 律 法 之 下 。

22 向 軟 弱 的 人 , 我 就 作 軟 弱 的 人 , 為 要 得 軟 弱 的 人 。 向 甚 麼 樣 的 人 , 我 就 作 甚 麼 樣 的 人 。 無 論 如 何 , 總 要 救 些 人 。

23 凡 我 所 行 的 , 都 是 為 福 音 的 緣 故 , 為 要 與 人 同 得 這 福 音 的 好 處 。

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16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

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16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for (A)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, (B)I have a reward; but if against my will, (C)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That (D)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel [a]of Christ without charge, that I (E)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am (F)free from all men, (G)I have made myself a servant to all, (H)that I might win the more; 20 and (I)to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [b]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 (J)to (K)those who are without law, as without law (L)(not being without [c]law toward God, but under [d]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 (M)to the weak I became [e]as weak, that I might win the weak. (N)I have become all things to all men, (O)that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:18 NU omits of Christ
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:20 NU adds though not being myself under the law
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU God’s law
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU Christ’s law
  5. 1 Corinthians 9:22 NU omits as