I Corinthians 9:17
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If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Translate, "If I be doing this (that is, preaching) of my own accord (which I am not, for the 'necessity' is laid on me which binds a servant to obey his master), I have a reward; but if (as is the case) involuntarily (Act 9:15; Act 22:15; Act 26:16); not of my own natural will, but by the constraining grace of God; (Rom 9:16; Ti1 1:13-16), I have had a dispensation (of the Gospel) entrusted to me" (and so can claim no "reward," seeing that I only "have done that which was my duty to do," Luk 17:10, but incur the "woe," Co1 9:16, if I fail in it).
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against himself. I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives in his success among them as a testimony to it (Co1 9:1, Co1 9:2). II. He claims a right to subsist by his ministry, and defends it by several arguments from natural reason and the Mosaical law, and asserts it also to be a constitution of Christ (Co1 9:3-14). III. He shows that he had willingly waived this privilege and power for their benefit (Co1 9:15-18). IV. He specifies several other things, in which he had denied himself for the sake of other men's spiritual interest and salvation (Co1 9:19-23). And, V. Concludes his argument by showing what animated him to this course, even the prospect of an incorruptible crown (Co1 9:24 to the end.)
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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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.
He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
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 found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
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.
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.
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!”
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.
And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.