1 Corinthians 9:17

1 Corinthians 9:17

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

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Translate, "If I be doing this (that is, preaching) of my own accord (which I am not, for the 'necessity' is laid on me which binds a servant to obey his master), I have a reward; but if (as is the case) involuntarily (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:15; Acts 26:16); not of my own natural will, but by the constraining grace of God; (Romans 9:16; I Timothy 1:13-16), I have had a dispensation (of the Gospel) entrusted to me" (and so can claim no "reward," seeing that I only "have done that which was my duty to do," Luke 17:10, but incur the "woe," I Corinthians 9:16, if I fail in it).

**Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 9:17:**

Jeremiah 20:9
Colossians 1:25
1 Timothy 1:4

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1 Corinthians 9:18 >>

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