1 Corinthians 9:15-18

English Standard Version

¹⁵But ^(A)I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone ^(B)deprive me of my ground for boasting. ¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For ^(C)necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with ^(D)a stewardship. ¹⁸What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^(E)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

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1 Corinthians 9:15-18

International Standard Version

¹⁵But I have not used any of these rights, and I’m not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason for^[a] boasting. ¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for this obligation has been entrusted to me. How terrible it would be for me if I didn’t preach the gospel! ¹⁷For if I preach voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with that obligation. ¹⁸What, then, is my reward? It is^[b] to be able to preach the gospel free of charge, and so I never resort to demanding my rights when I’m preaching^[c] the gospel.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 9:15 The Gk. lacks reason for
1 Corinthians 9:18 The Gk. lacks It is
1 Corinthians 9:18 Lit. rights in

1 Corinthians 9:15-18

New International Version

¹⁵But 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) ¹⁶For 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! ¹⁷If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^(D) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^(E) ¹⁸What 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.