KJV 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!
VERSE STUDY • KJV
1 Corinthians 9:16
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!
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
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!
WEB 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.
ASV 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.
YLT 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;
Surrounding context — 1 Corinthians 9
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 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!
17 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.
18 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.
19 For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
ἐὰνG1437 · eanifγὰρG1063 · garforεὐαγγελίζωμαι,G2097 · euangelizomaito speak good newsοὐκG3756 · ounoἔστινG1510 · eimito beμοιG3165 · memeκαύχημα·G2745 · kauchēmaprideἀνάγκηG318 · anagkēnecessityγάρG1063 · garforμοιG3165 · memeἐπίκειται·G1945 · epikeimaito lay onοὐαὶG3759 · ouaiwoe!γάρG1063 · garforμοίG3165 · memeἐστινG1510 · eimito beἐὰνG1437 · eanifμὴG3361 · mēnotεὐαγγελίσωμαι.G2097 · euangelizomaito speak good news
Cross-references
Romans 1:14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.Jeremiah 20:9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But [his word] was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not [stay].Colossians 4:17And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.Luke 9:62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.Acts 26:16-20But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;Acts 4:20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.Amos 3:8The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?Acts 9:6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:Romans 15:17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.Amos 7:15And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel.Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Romans 4:2For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God.Jeremiah 20:7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.Jeremiah 1:17Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
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