1 Corinthians 9:15

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
KJV
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
WEB
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.
ASV
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 glorifying void.
DARBY
But *I* have used none of these things. Now I have not written these things that it should be thus in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die than that any one should make vain my boast.
BLB
But I have not used [any] of these. And neither did I write these things so that it should be thus with me; for [it is] good for me rather to die than that anyone will make void my boasting.
ÅB
Men jeg har ikke gjort bruk av noe av dette. Jeg skriver ikke dette for at det skal bli så med meg; for heller vil jeg dø enn at noen skulle gjøre det til intet som jeg roser meg av.
OTB
Men jeg har ikke brukt noen av disse rettighetene, og jeg skriver ikke dette for at det skal gjøres slik i mitt tilfelle; for det ville være bedre for meg å dø enn at noen skulle gjøre min ros tom.
B1930
Men jeg har ikke gjort bruk av noget av dette. Jeg skriver ikke dette forat det skal bli så med mig; for heller vil jeg dø enn at nogen skulde gjøre det til intet som jeg roser mig av.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9

    For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

    Read in context
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:8

    Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 9:12

    If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

    Read in context
  • 2 Corinthians 11:9–12

    And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

    Read in context
  • Acts 20:34

    Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

    Read in context
  • Acts 18:3

    And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

    Read in context
  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

    Read in context
  • Philippians 1:20–23

    According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

    Read in context