1 Corinthians 9:18

1 Corinthians 9:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
• New International Version (NIV)What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:18

16If I spread the Good News, I have nothing to brag about because I have an obligation to do this. How horrible it will be for me if I don’t spread the Good News! 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. So 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.

1 Corinthians 9:18 word by word

τίς οὖν μού ἐστιν ὁ μισθός; ἵνα εὐαγγελιζόμενος ἀδάπανον θήσω τὸ εὐαγγέλιον εἰς τὸ μὴ καταχρήσασθαι τῇ ἐξουσίᾳ μου ἐν τῷ εὐαγγελίῳ.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Whatτίςtis · which?G5101
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• rewardμισθόςmisthos · wageG3408
• thenοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• when I preach the gospelεὐαγγελίζομαιeuaggelizō · to speak good newsG2097
• I may makeτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• the gospelεὐαγγέλιονeuaggelion · gospelG2098
• of ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
• without chargeἀδάπανοςadapanos · freeG77
• ·εἰςeis · towardG1519
• that I abuseκαταχράομαιkatachraomai · to use upG2710
• notμήmē · notG3361
• powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:18

• 1 Corinthians 9:6Or is it only Barnabas and I who don’t have any rights, except to find work to support ourselves?
• 1 Corinthians 10:33I try to please everyone in every way. I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.
• 2 Corinthians 4:5Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake.
• 2 Corinthians 11:7Did I commit a sin when I humbled myself by telling you the Good News of God free of charge so that you could become important?
• 2 Corinthians 12:13How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I didn’t bother you for help? Forgive me for this wrong!
• 1 Thessalonians 2:6We didn’t seek praise from people, from you or from anyone else,
• 2 Thessalonians 3:8We didn’t eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, we worked hard and struggled night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.
• 1 Corinthians 7:31Those who use the things in this world should do so but not depend on them. It is clear that this world in its present form is passing away.
• 1 Corinthians 8:9But be careful that by using your freedom you don’t somehow make a believer who is weak in faith fall into sin.
• Romans 14:15So if what you eat hurts another Christian, you are no longer living by love. Don’t destroy anyone by what you eat. Christ died for that person.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18That I abuse not my power - I am inclined to think that is to be understood here, not in the sense of abusing, but of using to the uttermost - exacting every thing that a man can claim by law. How many proofs have we of this in preachers of different denominations, who insist so strongly and so frequently on their privileges, as they term them, that the people are tempted to believe they seek not their souls' interests, but their secular goods. Such…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18What is my reward then? - What is the source of my reward? or what is there in my conduct that will show that I am entitled to reward What is there that will demonstrate that my heart is in the work of the ministry; that I am free and voluntary, and that I am not urged by mere necessity? Though I have been called by miracle, and though necessity is laid upon me, so that I cannot but preach the gospel, yet how shall I so do it as to make it proper for God…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Paul felt satisfied preaching the good news about Jesus without asking for payment. This sets an example for how Christians must be willing to give up their rights to help others (see 8:13).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. What is my reward?--The answer is in 1Co 9:19; namely, that by making the Gospel without charge, where I might have rightfully claimed maintenance, I might "win the more." of Christ--The oldest manuscripts and versions omit these words. abuse--rather "that I use not to the full my power." This is his matter for "glorying"; the "reward" ultimately aimed at is the gaining of the more (1Co 9:19). The former, as involving the latter, is verbally made the…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:18

• Evil
• Gospel
• Minister, Christian
• Self-Denial
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Christ, Messiah
• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Plow
• Wait
• Abuse
• Authority in Religion
• Charge; Chargeable

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings