New English Translation
1 Corinthians 9:18
18What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.
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
16For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward. But if I do it unwillingly, I am entrusted with a responsibility. What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel. 19For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew to gain the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) to gain those under the law.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 91 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 do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?
- 1 Corinthians 10:33just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefit of many, so that they may be saved.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Corinthians 12:13For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice!
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8and we did not eat anyone’s food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.
- Romans 14:15For if your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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