Revised Literal Translation
1 Corinthians 9:18
18What 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 authority 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 though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 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 authority in the gospel. 19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are 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
- ·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
- authorityἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:18
- 1 Corinthians 9:6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we right to forbear working?
- 1 Corinthians 10:33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
- 2 Corinthians 12:13For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other Assemblies, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
- 1 Corinthians 7:31And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
- Romans 14:15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, 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
Revised Literal Translation — © 2018 Michael W. Jones, Sr. — GPL
Commentaries