1 Corinthians 9:16

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;

Commentaries:

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

<< 1 Corinthians 9:15

1 Corinthians 9:17 >>

though I preach . . . I have nothing to glory of—that is, If I preach the Gospel, and do so not gratuitously, I have no matter for "glorying." For the "necessity" that is laid on me to preach (compare Jeremiah 20:9, and the case of Jonah) does away with ground for "glorying." The sole ground for the latter that I have, is my preaching without charge (I Corinthians 9:18): since there is no necessity laid on me as to the latter, it is my voluntary act for the Gospel's sake.

**Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 9:16:**

Jeremiah 20:9
Romans 1:15
1 Corinthians 9:17

<< 1 Corinthians 9:15

1 Corinthians 9:17 >>

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