Add parallel Print Page Options

15 But I have used none of these things, and I don’t write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach the Good News. 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.

Read full chapter

15 But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For if I [a]preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I [b]preach not the gospel. 17 For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I [c]preach the gospel, I may make the [d]gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the [e]gospel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:16 See marginal note on 1:17.
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:16 See marginal note on 1:17.
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 1:17.
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 4:15.
  5. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 4:15.

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