1 Corinthians 9:18 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.
1 Corinthians 9:18 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.
1 Corinthians 9:18 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.
1 Corinthians 9:18 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.
1 Corinthians 9:18 nlt
What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That's why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.
1 Corinthians 9 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 9:18 | "What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, that I may not abuse my right in the gospel." | Reward for selflessness |
| 1 Cor 7:23 | "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men." | Freedom from bondage |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Humility and selflessness |
| 1 Thes 2:5 | "For we never came with flattering words, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness." | Integrity in ministry |
| 2 Cor 11:7 | "Did I commit sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I freely preached to you the gospel of God?" | Preaching without cost |
| 2 Cor 11:12 | "But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be reputed as we." | Avoiding accusations |
| Gal 5:13 | "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an occasion for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another." | Freedom used in love |
| Acts 18:3 | "And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers." | Working to support self |
| Acts 20:33-35 | "I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." | Ministering by own labor |
| Rom 1:16 | "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." | Power of the Gospel |
| Matt 10:8 | "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." | Freely giving grace |
| John 15:4 | "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." | Dependence on Christ |
| 1 Cor 9:22 | "To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I may save some." | Becoming all things to all |
| 2 Cor 12:13 | "For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong." | Not being a burden |
| Prov 22:7 | "The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." | Avoiding debt and obligation |
| Josh 24:15 | "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." | Dedication to service |
| Luke 10:7 | "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house." | Right to support |
| Gal 6:6 | "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." | Sharing with teachers |
| 2 Cor 6:3 | "Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:" | Blameless ministry |
| 1 Pet 2:12 | "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation." | Honest conduct |
| 1 Cor 4:1-2 | "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." | Faithful stewards |
1 Corinthians 9 verses
1 Corinthians 9 18 Meaning
The Apostle Paul is stating his practice and principle regarding preaching the Gospel. He wants to make the Gospel free. By using his rights as an apostle and the liberty Christ gives, he chooses not to claim support from the Corinthian church. His motive is to make the proclamation of the Gospel unrestricted, free from any entanglements or grounds for accusation. He aims to avoid diminishing the value and efficacy of his ministry in the eyes of others. His labor in the Gospel is driven by an internal compulsion and a desire to serve willingly, rather than by external obligation or reward.
1 Corinthians 9 18 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 9, Paul is defending his apostleship and his rights as an apostle. He has just established his right to receive material support for his ministry, drawing parallels with soldiers, farmers, and shepherds who are entitled to a share of their labor. He also points to the Old Testament Law and the practice in the temple that those who serve the altar should live from the altar. He also cites his own concessions for the sake of the Gospel, such as becoming "all things to all people" to win some. This verse, 1 Corinthians 9:18, flows directly from these discussions. Paul is voluntarily relinquishing his right to financial support to avoid any hindrance or compromise in the proclamation of the Gospel. This is not because he believes ministers are not worthy of support, but because his specific purpose in Corinth, where there were divisions and criticisms of his ministry, was to ensure the Gospel’s message was unburdened by financial obligations. He emphasizes that his reward is found in the pure and unrestricted delivery of the Gospel message itself. The Corinthian church had issues with immorality, divisions, and a lack of respect for apostolic authority, making Paul's strategic decision to preach without financial charge all the more significant for the credibility and acceptance of the Gospel among them.
1 Corinthians 9 18 Word Analysis
- “What”: Interrogative pronoun, introducing a question about the nature of his recompense or satisfaction.
- “then”: Adverb, signifying consequence or conclusion, following the preceding discussion on apostolic rights.
- “is”: Verb, present tense of "to be."
- “my”: Possessive pronoun, indicating personal ownership or claim.
- “reward?”: Noun, referring to wages, payment, prize, or result of labor. Paul is asking about the compensation or satisfaction he gains.
- “That”: Conjunction, introducing the substance or content of his reward.
- “when”: Conjunction, temporal, marking the occasion of his proclamation.
- “I”: Pronouns, referring to the Apostle Paul.
- “preach”: Verb (Gk. kērussō), to proclaim, announce publicly, herald. This refers to the active proclamation of the Gospel.
- “the”: Definite article.
- “gospel”: Noun (Gk. euangelion), the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- “I”: Pronoun, referring to Paul.
- “may”: Auxiliary verb, expressing purpose or possibility.
- “make”: Verb (Gk. diatithēmi), here translated as "make without charge" or "dispose of." It implies arrangement or handling, in this context, ensuring the Gospel's delivery is free of charge. Some understand this as "dispose of my right."
- “the”: Definite article.
- “gospel”: Noun (Gk. euangelion).
- “without”: Preposition (Gk. anaptōma), without any cost or incurring liability. This specific Greek word carries the idea of "without a fee" or "without tribute."
- “charge,”: Noun (Gk. opsōnia), referring to wages, pay, or expense. Combined with the previous Greek word, it strongly implies performing the service for free.
- “That”: Conjunction, introducing the second purpose or aspect of his reward.
- “I”: Pronoun, referring to Paul.
- “may”: Auxiliary verb, expressing purpose or possibility.
- “not”: Adverb of negation.
- “abuse”: Verb (Gk. katachraomai), to misuse, use wrongly, make excessive use of. This points to not exploiting his rights improperly.
- “my”: Possessive pronoun.
- “right”: Noun (Gk. exousia), authority, liberty, power, privilege. Refers to his conceded apostolic rights as discussed in the preceding verses.
- “in”: Preposition.
- “the”: Definite article.
- “gospel.”: Noun (Gk. euangelion).
Phrase/Group Analysis:
- "make the gospel without charge" (Gk. euangelion anaition prostattai): This phrase encapsulates the core of his intentional practice. It's not merely preaching for free, but rather arranging his ministry in such a way that the Gospel itself incurs no financial cost from those receiving it. Paul's priority is the unimpeded flow of the Gospel's truth.
- "not abuse my right in the gospel" (Gk. mē katachrēsasthai tēn exousian mou en tō euangeliō): This clarifies the rationale behind making the Gospel free. He is consciously choosing not to leverage his legal and divinely sanctioned rights (the exousia which entitled him to support) to avoid giving any impression of self-interest or creating an obstacle for his listeners. This shows discernment in the application of his authority.
1 Corinthians 9 18 Bonus Section
Paul's understanding of his "right" is deeply rooted in Jewish legal precedent and the practices established in the Old Testament for those who ministered at the altar. His exousia (right/authority) wasn't just a personal claim but was divinely sanctioned as a principle for those serving God. By foregoing this right, Paul is demonstrating a level of self-abnegation that mirrors Christ's own sacrifice. This personal resolve is part of a broader strategy articulated in 1 Corinthians 9, where he talks about becoming "all things to all people" (v. 22) and strengthening the weak (v. 22). His decision to make the Gospel free from financial burden is a practical outworking of that sacrificial love. It ensures that the Gospel’s proclamation is not hindered by perceived greed or imposition, thereby maximizing its reach and impact. This unencumbered Gospel, preached with Paul's complete liberty and without personal gain from his audience, becomes the most powerful tool for spiritual transformation. He is, in essence, not selling the Gospel, but freely giving it, having already paid the ultimate price through his own service to Christ and willingness to suffer for it.
1 Corinthians 9 18 Commentary
Paul declares that his ultimate satisfaction ("reward") is to preach the Gospel freely. This means he makes no charge for delivering the good news. His intention is to prevent his ministry from being seen as a commercial transaction or a burden. By relinquishing his acknowledged right to financial support, Paul removes any potential excuse or avenue for criticism that could undermine the Gospel's message or his authority. He is safeguarding the integrity and unhindered power of the Gospel. This decision reflects his profound love for Christ and the people he serves, prioritizing their spiritual reception of the message over his own temporal needs. His motivation is that his declaration of the Gospel would be pure, unassailable, and accepted on its own merit as God’s word. He essentially makes his right an item to be dealt with (disposed of) for the Gospel's sake. This means he sets aside his legitimate claim to payment so that his preaching doesn't become a point of contention or financial entanglement that could hinder people from embracing the Gospel. It’s about removing every barrier for faith to take root.
Practical Usage Examples:
- Ministry without Exploitation: A pastor refusing to charge a vulnerable congregation for a necessary service, choosing to rely on other sources of provision or foregoing it to keep the ministry accessible.
- Prioritizing the Message: A Christian sharing the Gospel in a way that doesn't put financial pressure on those being evangelized, especially if they are struggling economically.
- Avoiding Accusations: Being diligent in one's work and personal life so that no one has valid grounds to criticize their faith or the teachings they hold.
- Serving Willingly: Doing good works and ministry not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to serve Christ and others, without demanding personal gain.