1 Corinthians 9:17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.

◄ 1 Corinthians 9:17 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.

English Standard Version
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

New American Standard Bible
For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

King James Bible
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship.

International Standard Version
For if I preach voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with that obligation.

American Standard Version
For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me:

Darby Bible Translation
For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.

Young's Literal Translation
for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly -- with a stewardship I have been entrusted!

Cross References

John 4:36
And he that reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal: that both he that sows and he that reaps may rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 3:14
If any man's work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? Truly that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to me, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter;

Ephesians 3:2
If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Philippians 1:16
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

Colossians 1:25
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

9:15-23 It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. 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 (Ac 9:15; 22:15; 26:16); not of my own natural will, but by the constraining grace of God; (Ro 9:16; 1Ti 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," Lu 17:10, but incur the "woe," 1Co 9:16, if I fail in it).