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 wouldbe 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 whoare under the law, as under the1 law, that I might win those whoare under the law;
21ato bthose whoare without law, as without law c(not being without law toward God, but under2 law toward Christ), that I might win those whoare without law;
22ato 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 fortheprize1 is temperate in all things. Now they doit to obtain a perishable crown, but we foraan imperishable crown.
For though I preach the Gospel - I have cause of glorying that I preach the Gospel free of all charges to you; but I cannot glory in being a preacher of the Gospel, because I am not such either by my own skill or power. I have received both the office, and the grace by which I execute the office, from God. I have not only his authority to preach, but that authority obliges me to preach; and if I did not, I should endanger my salvation: yea, wo is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel. As every genuine preacher receives his commission from God alone, it is God alone who can take it away. Wo to that man who runs when God has not sent him; and wo to him who refuses to run, or who ceases to run, when God has sent him.
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