Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 9:16

What does 1 Corinthians 9:16 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 9:16 means

Preaching the gospel gives Paul no ground for boasting, because he is compelled by divine necessity. He must preach; it is his calling. Therefore, he cannot claim special credit merely for doing what he is bound to do. The sobering cry, “woe is unto me,” expresses the gravity of his stewardship. He is under orders from Christ. This clarifies why he refuses payment: it is not because preaching would earn him glory, but because the only place he can choose to glory is in preaching without charge. The compulsion to preach drives him; the voluntary relinquishing of rights adorns that compulsion with love.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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!

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For if I am a preacher of the good news, I have no cause for pride in this; because I am forced to do so, for a curse is on me if I do not.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.

Context

Paul shifts from rights to inner calling. Verse 16 explains why he cannot boast in preaching itself—it is an obligation. This sets up a distinction he will make in verse 17 between doing the task willingly or simply as a steward. That contrast will lead in verse 18 to identify his chosen “reward”: offering the gospel freely. The structure keeps his motives transparent and the Corinthians’ expectations aligned with his purpose.

v.15But 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.

v.16This passage

v.17For 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 1:17

    Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at them, lest I dismay thee before them.

  • Acts 9:15

    But 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:

  • Acts 4:20

    for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.

  • Jeremiah 20:9

    And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain.

  • Romans 15:17

    I have therefore my glorying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.

  • Jeremiah 20:7

    O Jehovah, thou hast persuaded me, and I was persuaded; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am become a laughing-stock all the day, every one mocketh me.

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