1 Corinthians 9:17 “If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not volunt…”

1 Corinthians 9:17

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

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

American Standard Version

For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

Geneva Bible 1599

For if I do it willingly, I haue a reward, but if I do it against my will, notwithstanding the dispensation is committed vnto me.

Darby Translation

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.

Young's Literal Translation

for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly — with a stewardship I have been entrusted!

Bible in Basic English

But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.

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Cross references

“if I”

1 Chronicles 28:9 1 Chronicles 29:5 1 Chronicles 29:9 Nehemiah 11:2 Isaiah 6:8 1 Peter 5:2–4

1 Chronicles 28:9 · BSB

As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be fou…

1 Chronicles 29:5 · BSB

for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now who is willing to consecrate himself to the LORD today?”

1 Chronicles 29:9 · BSB

And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.

Nehemiah 11:2 · BSB

And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 6:8 · BSB

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

1 Peter 5:2–4 · BSB

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;

“have”

1 Corinthians 3:8 Matthew 10:41 1 Corinthians 3:14

1 Corinthians 3:8 · BSB

He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

Matthew 10:41 · BSB

Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.

1 Corinthians 3:14 · BSB

If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

“against”

Jeremiah 20:9 Ezekiel 3:14 Jonah 1:3 Jonah 4:1–3 Malachi 1:10 Exodus 4:13

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.

Ezekiel 3:14 · BSB

So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.

Jonah 1:3 · BSB

Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to sail for Tarshish, away from the presence…

Jonah 4:1–3 · BSB

Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry.

Malachi 1:10 · BSB

“Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.

Exodus 4:13 · BSB

But Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else.”

“dispensation”

Galatians 2:7 Colossians 1:25 1 Corinthians 4:1 1 Thessalonians 2:4 1 Corinthians 9:16 Matthew 24:25

Galatians 2:7 · BSB

On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

Colossians 1:25 · BSB

I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,

1 Corinthians 4:1 · BSB

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 · BSB

Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

1 Corinthians 9:16 · BSB

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!

Matthew 24:25 · BSB

See, I have told you in advance.

Also

Philippians 1:16–17

Philippians 1:16–17 · BSB

The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

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

In context

16Yet 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!

18What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it.

Read 1 Corinthians 9