KJV 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.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
1 Corinthians 9:17
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.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
WEB 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.
ASV 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.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly—with a stewardship I have been entrusted!
Surrounding context — 1 Corinthians 9
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.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
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.
εἰG1487 · eiifγὰρG1063 · garforἑκὼνG1635 · hekōnvoluntarilyτοῦτοG3778 · ohutosthis/he/she/itπράσσω,G4238 · prassōto do/requireμισθὸνG3408 · misthoswageἔχω·G2192 · echōto have/beεἰG1487 · eiifδὲG1161 · dethenἄκων,G210 · akōnunwillingοἰκονομίανG3622 · oikonomiamanagementπεπίστευμαι.G4100 · pisteuōto trust (in)
Cross-references
Galatians 2:7But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as [the gospel] of the circumcision [was] unto Peter;1 Corinthians 3:8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.Colossians 1:25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;Matthew 10:41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.Isaiah 6:8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.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].Nehemiah 11:2And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.1 Thessalonians 2:4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.1 Chronicles 29:5The gold for [things] of gold, and the silver for [things] of silver, and for all manner of work [to be made] by the hands of artificers. And who [then] is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?1 Corinthians 3:14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.1 Peter 5:2-4Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight [thereof], not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;1 Corinthians 4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.1 Chronicles 29:9Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.Ezekiel 3:14So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.1 Corinthians 9:16For 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!Ephesians 3:2-8If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:Exodus 4:13-14And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand [of him whom] thou wilt send.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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