1 Corinthians 9:15
What does 1 Corinthians 9:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 9:15 means
Paul insists he has not taken advantage of these rights and is not writing to prompt the Corinthians to start supporting him. He is careful to remove any suspicion about his motives. He would rather die than lose the unique “glorying” he cherishes: preaching the gospel without charge in Corinth. This is not pride but joy in removing obstacles. His refusal is voluntary and situational, not a universal rule for all ministers. He treasures the freedom to show the gospel’s generosity by offering it freely, even though he could rightly receive support. This is the kind of sacrifice love chooses when it serves the message’s clarity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I have not made use of any of these things: and I am not writing this in the hope that it may be so for me: for it would be better for me to undergo death, than for any man to make this pride of mine of no effect.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for <FI>it is<Fi> good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I have used none of these things. Neither have I written these things, that they should be so done unto me: for it is good for me to die rather than that any man should make my glory void.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I have used none of these things. Now I have not written these things that it should be thus in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die than that any one should make vain my boast.
Context
After proving the right to support, Paul declares again that he has not used it and does not seek it. Verse 15 guards against misreading his argument as a fundraising appeal. He values the opportunity to offer the gospel free. Next, in verse 16, he will explain that preaching itself is a necessity laid upon him, not a basis for boasting. Verses 17–18 will distinguish between preaching under compulsion and the voluntary choice to waive support as the sphere of his “reward.”
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 11:9
and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
- Acts 8:3
But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
- Acts 20:24
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Matthew 18:6
but whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
- Acts 20:34
Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
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