1 Corinthians 9:17
15 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.
16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
18 What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.
19 Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- 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.
- DARBY
- For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.
- BLB
- For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
- ÅB
- For gjør jeg dette frivillig, da har jeg lønn; men gjør jeg det nødtvunget, da er det en husholdning som er meg betrodd.
- OTB
- For om jeg gjør dette frivillig, har jeg en lønn; men om det er mot min vilje, har jeg blitt betrodd en oppgave.
- B1930
- For gjør jeg dette frivillig, da har jeg lønn; men gjør jeg det nødtvunget, da er det en husholdning som er mig betrodd.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Galatians 2:7
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
Read in context1 Corinthians 3:8
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
Read in contextColossians 1:25
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
Read in context1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
Read in contextMatthew 10:41
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
Read in context1 Corinthians 4:1
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 2:4
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
Read in context1 Chronicles 29:9
And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.
Read in context