1 Corinthians 9:16 “Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am…”

1 Corinthians 9:16

Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For 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!

World English Bible

For if I preach the Good News, I have nothing to boast about, for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me if I don’t preach the Good News.

American Standard Version

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

Geneva Bible 1599

For though I preach the Gospel, I haue nothing to reioyce of: for necessitie is laid vpon me, and woe is vnto me, if I preach not the Gospel.

Darby Translation

For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.

Young's Literal Translation

for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and woe is to me if I may not proclaim good news;

Bible in Basic English

For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not.

.mt-body { max-height: none !important; -webkit-mask-image: none !important; mask-image: none !important; } .mt-bar { display: none !important; } .o-trans::after { display: block !important; }

Cross references

“I have”

Romans 15:17 Romans 4:2

Romans 15:17 · BSB

Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

Romans 4:2 · BSB

If Abraham was indeed justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God.

“for”

Romans 1:14 Jeremiah 20:9 Acts 4:20 Acts 26:16–20 Amos 3:8 Acts 9:6

Romans 1:14 · BSB

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Jeremiah 20:9 · BSB

If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Acts 4:20 · BSB

For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 26:16–20 · BSB

‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you.

Amos 3:8 · BSB

The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?

Acts 9:6 · BSB

“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

“woe”

Colossians 4:17 Luke 9:62 Isaiah 6:5

Colossians 4:17 · BSB

Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”

Luke 9:62 · BSB

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Isaiah 6:5 · BSB

Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.

17If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

Read 1 Corinthians 9