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.

Read full chapter

15 But I have not made use of any of these rights. And I am not writing these things in order that it may be thus with me. For it would be better to me rather to die than for anyone to deprive me of my reason for boasting. 16 For if I proclaim the gospel, it is not to me a reason for boasting, for necessity is imposed on me. For woe is to me if I do not proclaim the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward, but if I do so unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That when I[a] proclaim the gospel, I may offer the gospel free of charge, in order not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:18 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“proclaim the gospel”) which is understood as temporal

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.

Read full chapter