1 Corinthians 9:16-23

GOD’S WORD Translation

¹⁶ If I spread the Good News, I have nothing to brag about because I have an obligation to do this. How horrible it will be for me if I don’t spread the Good News! ¹⁷ If I spread the Good News willingly, I’ll have a reward. But if I spread the Good News unwillingly, I’m ⌞only⌟ doing what I’ve been entrusted to do.

¹⁸ So what is my reward? It is to spread the Good News free of charge. In that way I won’t use the rights that belong to those who spread the Good News.

Paul’s Work as an Apostle

¹⁹ Although I’m free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them. ²⁰ I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to the laws in Moses’ Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I’m not subject to Moses’ Teachings. ²¹ I became like a person who does not have Moses’ Teachings for those who don’t have those teachings. I did this to win them even though I have God’s teachings. I’m really subject to Christ’s teachings. ²² I became like a person weak in faith to win those who are weak in faith. I have become everything to everyone in order to save at least some of them. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the Good News in order to share what it offers.