1 Corinthians 9:16

14 Even so ^athe Lord has commanded ^bthat those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But ^aI have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for ^bit would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for ^anecessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

17 For if I do this willingly, ^aI have a reward; but if against my will, ^bI have been entrusted with a stewardship.

18 What is my reward then? That ^awhen I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel¹ of Christ without charge, that I ^bmay not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am ^afree from all men, ^bI have made myself a servant to all, ^cthat I might win the more;

20 and ^ato the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the¹ law, that I might win those who are under the law;

21 ^ato ^bthose who are without law, as without law ^c(not being without law toward God, but under² law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;

22 ^ato the weak I became¹ as weak, that I might win the weak. ^bI have become all things to all men, ^cthat I might by all means save some.

23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Striving for a Crown

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? ^aRun in such a way that you may¹ obtain it.

25 And everyone who competes for the prize¹ is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for ^aan imperishable crown.

Verse Comparison: 1 Corinthians 9:16

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1 Corinthians 9:17 >>

American Standard Version
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

Amplified® Bible
For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast, for I feel compelled of necessity to do it. Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!

Contemporary English Version
I don't have any reason to brag about preaching the good news. Preaching is something God told me to do, and if I don't do it, I am doomed.

Darby English Version
For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.

Good News Bible
I have no right to boast just because I preach the gospel. After all, I am under orders to do so. And how terrible it would be for me if I did not preach the gospel!

International Standard Version
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for this obligation has been laid on me. How terrible it would be for me if I didn't preach the gospel!

King James Version
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!

New American Standard Bible
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

New International Version
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

New King James Version
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I feel under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.

Young's Literal Translation
for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and wo is to me if I may not proclaim good news;

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