15 But (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. 16 For 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! 17 For 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. 18 What 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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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.

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Footnotes

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