1 Corinthians 9 17

1 Corinthians 9:17 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 9:17 nkjv

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

1 Corinthians 9:17 niv

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

1 Corinthians 9:17 esv

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.

1 Corinthians 9:17 nlt

If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.

1 Corinthians 9 verses

1 Corinthians 9 17 Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 9:17, Paul explains the dual motivation behind his preaching the Gospel. If he preaches willingly and freely chooses to waive his apostolic right to material support (as detailed in the preceding verses), he earns a unique reward. However, even if he were to preach unwillingly or under compulsion, the obligation remains, for he has been divinely entrusted with a solemn stewardship—a responsibility to manage God’s truth. His personal disposition towards the act of preaching itself does not nullify the divine mandate he received.

1 Corinthians 9 17 Context

The ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians is Paul’s robust defense of his apostolic authority and his right to receive material support from those to whom he ministers. He uses this discussion, however, not to demand support, but to illustrate his radical self-denial for the sake of the Gospel. He establishes his apostleship by recounting his encounter with the resurrected Christ and referencing the visible fruits of his ministry in Corinth. He then outlines various principles—from the rights of soldiers, farmers, and shepherds, to the Mosaic Law regarding an ox threshing grain, and even the Temple workers receiving a share—all demonstrating that a laborer is worthy of his wages. Yet, despite having these undeniable rights (including bringing a believing wife, as other apostles did), Paul proudly declares that he has not exercised them (1 Cor 9:15), enduring hardships instead. He preaches "free of charge" (1 Cor 9:18) to avoid creating any hindrance to the gospel. Verse 17 directly follows verse 16, where he states that "necessity is laid upon me" and pronounces a "woe" if he does not preach the gospel. This verse unpacks how he relates to this necessity: whether he engages with his ministry with a joyful willingness or out of sheer inescapable duty.

1 Corinthians 9 17 Word analysis

• For if (γάρ ἐὰν - gar ean): "Gar" introduces a causal explanation or further elaboration. "Ean" introduces a conditional clause. It sets up two distinct hypothetical scenarios regarding Paul's engagement in ministry.
• I do this (τοῦτο πράσσω - touto prassō): Refers specifically to his preaching the gospel and, by implication, the manner of his preaching—particularly his decision to preach without financial compensation, as he elaborates in verse 18 ("making the gospel free of charge").
• of my own free will (ἑκών - hekōn): A rare adjective in the New Testament, emphasizing a voluntary, unforced, or spontaneous action. It speaks of internal motivation and eager willingness. In this context, it pertains to Paul's voluntary relinquishing of his rights to support. This signifies an action that goes above and beyond mere obligation.
• I have a reward (μισθὸν ἔχω - misthon echō): Misthos refers to wages, recompense, or reward. This is not salvation, which is a gift of grace, but a specific, personal reward from God for selfless, uncompelled service, particularly for his voluntary refusal to burden the churches (1 Cor 9:18).
• but if not (εἰ δὲ μή - ei de mē): Introduces the alternative condition. "If not [of my own free will]".
• of my own free will (ἄκων - akōn): The exact opposite of hekōn, meaning unwillingly, by constraint, reluctantly, or under compulsion. This does not mean Paul preaches reluctantly as a habit, but that even if his personal desire were to resist, the divine mandate overrides any personal reluctance.
• I am entrusted with a stewardship (οἰκονομίαν πεπίστευμαι - oikonomian pepisteumai):
  • οἰκονομίαν (oikonomian): Stewardship, administration, management of a household or affairs, a divinely given responsibility. It is a divine mandate, a sacred trust to administer the Gospel. It implies a fixed, unchangeable commission.
  • πεπίστευμαι (pepisteumai): Perfect passive indicative of pisteuō (to believe, to trust). The perfect tense indicates an action completed in the past with continuing results, meaning Paul "has been and remains entrusted." The passive voice signifies that the entrusting action originated from an external agent—God. This highlights that his calling is an act of God, not his own choosing, thus unavoidable.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "For if I do this of my own free will, I have a reward": This highlights the additional blessing or spiritual merit that accrues when service to God goes beyond simple duty. It emphasizes a cheerful, selfless dedication, especially in surrendering legitimate rights for the Gospel's sake, which pleases God and earns a specific, super-meritorious reward.
  • "but if not of my own free will, I am entrusted with a stewardship": This speaks to the absolute, non-negotiable nature of God's calling and commission. Regardless of personal disposition, comfort, or desire, the divine trust (stewardship) must be fulfilled. This stewardship is a fixed responsibility, laid upon him by God Himself, underscoring the necessity mentioned in 1 Cor 9:16.

1 Corinthians 9 17 Bonus section

The tension between "willingly" (ἑκών) and "unwillingly" (ἄκων) as it relates to Paul's ministry reveals a paradox. Paul passionately defends his absolute obligation to preach ("woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" - 1 Cor 9:16). He doesn't have a choice in the duty of proclaiming the gospel. However, he exercises "free will" in how he conducts this ministry, specifically in foregoing financial support. This distinction is crucial: he willingly refuses the reward of material sustenance from those he serves, thereby gaining a spiritual reward from God for this extra step of selflessness. This challenges the notion that any spiritual service can simply be performed under compulsion; true spiritual vibrancy and reward often flow from acts of deliberate, joyful sacrifice that go beyond mere command. Paul implicitly contrasts the concept of fulfilling a divinely appointed responsibility (which is mandatory) with embracing an extra dimension of joyful service (which yields a unique blessing). His apostolic oikonomia (stewardship) was a non-negotiable reality from his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road; his hekōn (willingness) applied to the self-sacrificial way he chose to live out that stewardship.

1 Corinthians 9 17 Commentary

Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:17 offers a profound insight into the nature of divine calling and ministerial motivation. It articulates a powerful tension: the undeniable compulsion of a God-given stewardship juxtaposed with the immense value of willing, joyful service that surpasses mere obligation. Paul distinguishes between two scenarios for his gospel work: the 'what' (preaching the gospel) and the 'how' (his manner of service, particularly foregoing financial support). The first part of the verse, "if I do this of my own free will, I have a reward," refers specifically to his voluntary choice to preach without charge. This deliberate act of self-denial, made not out of necessity but from love for Christ and the gospel's unimpeded progress, is what earns him a unique, special reward (verse 18 confirms this: "so that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge"). This reward is not for being saved, but for willingly sacrificing for the kingdom beyond what is commanded or expected. The second part, "but if not of my own free will, I am entrusted with a stewardship," highlights the unshakeable truth of his divine commission. Even if Paul had personal reservations or an "unwillingness" towards the general act of preaching, the stewardship has already been given to him by God. This is an imperative, an inescapable duty. He is merely an administrator of a divine truth, accountable to God, irrespective of his internal emotional state. Thus, while the 'woe' (1 Cor 9:16) underlines the divine necessity of preaching, verse 17 shows Paul striving for the reward of willing, selfless service by choosing to preach without recompense, knowing that the fundamental obligation to preach cannot be evaded. This calls ministers and believers alike to evaluate their service: are we simply fulfilling a duty, or are we eagerly and willingly offering ourselves, especially in ways that involve sacrifice and transcend mere expectation, for the greater glory of God and the advance of His Gospel?