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.
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 11:7–9Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached to you God’s Good News free of charge?
- 2 Th 3:8–9neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;
- 1 Cor 8:9But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
- 1 Th 2:6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
- 2 Cor 12:13–18For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong.
- 1 Cor 10:33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
- 2 Cor 4:5For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake;
- 1 Cor 7:31and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
- 1 Cor 9:6–7Or have only Barnabas and I no right to not work?
- Rom 14:15Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him 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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