15 For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach[a]—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted(A) with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 9:16 Lit because necessity is laid upon me

15 But I have (A)used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make (B)my boast an empty one! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for (C)I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach (D)the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a (E)reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a (F)commission nonetheless. 18 What, then, is my (G)reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel (H)without charge, so as (I)not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

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

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