1 Corinthians 9:15-18
English Standard Version
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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1 Corinthians 9:15-18
New Living Translation
15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!
17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.
Read full chapterThe Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
