1 Corinthians 9:18
What does 1 Corinthians 9:18 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 9:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 9:18 means
Paul answers his own question about reward: it is the joy of preaching the gospel free of charge. He chooses not to “use to the full” his rightful claims so that his message cannot be misconstrued as a money‑making venture. He wants nothing to cloud the free grace of Christ he proclaims. By relinquishing financial support in Corinth, he removes one potential stumbling block for hearers in that setting. His reward is not material but spiritual—seeing the gospel run without hindrance. This approach displays both confidence in his rights and a greater confidence in the power and purity of the message itself.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611What 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What then is my reward? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862What, then, is my reward? --that proclaiming good news, without charge I shall make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890What is the reward then that I have? That in announcing the glad tidings I make the glad tidings costless [to others], so as not to have made use, as belonging to me, of my right in [announcing] the glad tidings.
Context
Paul concludes the section on rights and renunciation. Verse 18 states the positive outcome he seeks by foregoing support: the unencumbered preaching of the gospel. With his motives clear, he now turns in verses 19–23 to a broader missionary principle: becoming a servant to all and adapting to different groups to win them. This shift moves from finances to flexibility in cultural and personal matters for the sake of winning people to Christ.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 1 Corinthians 8:9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.
- 2 Corinthians 11:7
Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6
nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31
and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
- 2 Corinthians 12:13
For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except it be that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
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