1 Corinthians 9:17-27

17If I spread the Good News willingly, I’ll have a reward. But if I spread the Good News unwillingly, I’m ⌞only⌟ doing what I’ve been entrusted to do.

18So what is my reward? It is to spread the Good News free of charge. In that way I won’t use the rights that belong to those who spread the Good News.

19Although I’m free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them.

20I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to the laws in Moses’ Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I’m not subject to Moses’ Teachings.

21I became like a person who does not have Moses’ Teachings for those who don’t have those teachings. I did this to win them even though I have God’s teachings. I’m really subject to Christ’s teachings.

22I became like a person weak in faith to win those who are weak in faith. I have become everything to everyone in order to save at least some of them.

23I do all this for the sake of the Good News in order to share what it offers.

24Don’t you realize that everyone who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize? Run like them, so that you can win.

25Everyone who enters an athletic contest goes into strict training. They do it to win a temporary crown, but we do it to win one that will be permanent.

26So I run—but not without a clear goal ahead of me. So I box—but not as if I were just shadow boxing.

27Rather, I toughen my body with punches and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after I have spread the Good News to others.