1 Corinthians 9:18
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!
17 If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
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.
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- 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.
- KJV
- What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
- WEB
- 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.
- ASV
- What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
- DARBY
- What is the reward then that I have? That in announcing the glad tidings I make the glad tidings costless [to others], so as not to have made use, as belonging to me, of my right in [announcing] the glad tidings.
- BLB
- What then is my reward? That preaching the gospel, I should lay down the gospel free of charge, so as not to use up my authority in the gospel.
- ÅB
- Hva er da min lønn? At jeg, når jeg forkynner evangeliet, gjør det for intet, så jeg ikke gjør bruk av min rett i evangeliet.
- OTB
- Hva er da min lønn? At når jeg forkynner evangeliet, kan jeg tilby det uten kostnad, for ikke å gjøre full bruk av min rett i evangeliet.
- B1930
- Hvad er da min lønn? At jeg, når jeg forkynner evangeliet, gjør det for intet, så jeg ikke gjør bruk av min rett i evangeliet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
2 Corinthians 11:7–9
Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
Read in context2 Thessalonians 3:8–9
nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
Read in context1 Corinthians 10:33
as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
Read in context1 Corinthians 8:9
Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 2:6
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
Read in context2 Corinthians 12:13–18
In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:31
and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Read in context1 Corinthians 9:6–7
Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
Read in context