with according to the law of God in the Old Testament, and of Christ in the New. ' I have used none of these rights.' Neither have I written these things that it should (in future) be so done (i. e. according to what I have written) imto me (cV e/Aot), in my case. Paul had no intention of changing his course in this matter. The reason for this determination he immediately assigns. For it were better for me to die than that any man should make my glorying void^ that is, deprive me of my ground of glorying. What enabled Paul to face his enemies with joyful confidence, was his disinterested self-deni- al in preaching the gospel without reward. And this he calls his (Kav'xr^/Aa), or ground of boasting. That this, and not merely preaching the gospel, was the proof of his integrity to which he could confidently refer, he shows in the following verses.
16. Eoi* 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 !
The reason why it was so important to him to refuse all remuneration as a minister was, that although he preached the gospel that was no (KavxrjfJia)^ ground of boasting to him. That he was bound to do, yea, woe was denounced against him unless he did preach it. Nothing could be a ground of boasting, but something which he was free to do, or not to do. He was free to receive or to refuse a remuneration for preach- ing ; and therefore his refusing to do so was a ground of glo- rjdng, that is, a proof of integrity to which he could with confidence appeal.
17. Por if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward : but if against my will, a dispensation (of the gospel) is committed unto me.
This is the proof that preaching was no ground of boasting. If he preached willingly, i. e. if it were optional with him to preach or not to preach, then it would be a ground of boast- ing ; but if he did it unwillingly, i. e. if it was not optional with him, (as was in fact the case), he was only discharging an official duty, and had nothing to boast of That Paul preached the gospel willingly, that he esteemed it his highest