What 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.
Parallel translations
- WEB What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.
- 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.
- 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.
- NASB What, then, is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
- 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul's reward is the privilege of preaching the gospel free of charge, not insisting on his rightful support. His joy lies in serving without burdening others, for the gospel's sake.
Overview
Paul answers his own question: his "reward" is the very act of offering the good news at no cost, foregoing the support he could claim. This self-denial guards the gospel from any appearance of mercenary motive and removes obstacles to belief. It crowns his argument as a vivid model of love that gladly surrenders rights, mirroring the self-giving of Christ who enriched others by His own poverty (2 Cor 8:9).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- 2 Cor 11:7–9Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?
- 2 Th 3:8–9nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.
- 1 Cor 8:9Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Th 2:6Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
- 2 Cor 12:13–18In what way were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
- 1 Cor 10:33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
- 2 Cor 4:5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 1 Cor 7:31and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
- 1 Cor 9:6–7Or are Barnabas and I the only apostles who must work for a living?
- Rom 14:15If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 9:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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