1 Corinthians 9:17

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1 Corinthians 9:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

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.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.

Free Bible Version FBV

If I'm doing this work because of my own choice, then I have a reward. But if it wasn't my choice, and an obligation was placed on me,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For if I do it willingly, I haue a reward, but if I do it against my will, notwithstanding the dispensation is committed vnto me.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly — with a stewardship I have been entrusted!

World English Bible WEB

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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me:

Translation for Translators T4T

If I had decided by myself to proclaim it, God would reward me. But I did not decide by myself to do that. I am simply doing the work that God entrusted to me.

Plain English Version PEV

But suppose I got this job just because I wanted it, then I will want some pay for it. But no, it wasn’t like that. I’m just doing what God told me to do.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 9:17

BAB

Word Study

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1 Corinthians 9:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK ει γαρ εκων τουτο πρασσω μισθον εχω ει δε ακων οικονομιαν πεπιστευμαι

ει ei G1487 if COND

γαρ gar G1063 for Conj

εκων hekōn G1635 voluntarily Adj-NSM

τουτο ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-ASN

πρασσω prassō G4238 to do/require Verb-PAI-1S

μισθον misthos G3408 wage Noun-ASM

εχω echō G2192 to have/be Verb-PAI-1S

ει ei G1487 if COND

δε de G1161 then Conj

ακων akōn G210 unwilling Adj-NSM

οικονομιαν oikonomia G3622 management Noun-ASF

πεπιστευμαι pisteuō G4100 to trust (in) Verb-RPI-1S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 9:17

ει ei G1487 "if" COND

This word means 'if' and is used to express conditions or questions. It appears in many Bible verses, such as Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25, introducing a condition or hypothesis.

Definition: εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 459 NT verses. KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Peter 1:6.

γαρ gar G1063 "for" Conj

For is a word used to explain or give a reason, often introducing a justification or clarification, as seen in Matthew 4:18 and Romans 7:1. It's a conjunction that connects ideas and provides additional information.

Definition: γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; __1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. __2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. __3. Causal: Mat.1:21 2:2, 5, 6, 3:23, Mrk.1:22, 9:6, Luk.1:15, 18, Jhn.2:25, Act.2:25, Rom.1:9, 11, 1Co.11:5, Rev.1:3, al.; giving the reason for a command or prohibition, Mat.2:20 3:9, Rom.13:11, Col.3:3, 1Th.4:3, al.; where the cause is contained in an interrog. statement, Luk.22:27, Rom.3:3 4:3, 1Co.10:29; καὶ γάρ, for also, Mrk.10:45, Luk.6:32, 1Co.5:7, al. id. as in cl. = etenim, where the καί loses its connective force (Bl., §78, 6; Kühner 3, ii, 854f.), Mrk.14:70, Luk.1:66 22:37, 2Co.13:4. The proper place of γάρ is after the first word in a clause, but in poets it often comes third or fourth, and so in late prose: 2Co.1:19. Yet "not the number but the nature of the word after which it stands is the point to be noticed" (see Thayer, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1011 NT verses. KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 2:19; 1 Peter 2:19.

εκων hekōn G1635 "voluntarily" Adj-NSM

Voluntarily means doing something willingly, without being forced, as when Paul says he preaches the gospel willingly in 1 Corinthians 9:17. It describes a choice made freely. This word is used to describe actions done by choice.

Definition: ἑκών, -οῦσα, -όν [in LXX: Exo.21:13, Job.36:19 * ;] willing, of one's own free will: Rom.8:20, 1Co.9:17 (Cremer, 246).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: willingly See also: 1 Corinthians 9:17; Romans 8:20.

τουτο ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-ASN

This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.

Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.

πρασσω prassō G4238 "to do/require" Verb-PAI-1S

To do or require something means to perform it repeatedly or habitually, as seen in Acts 19:19 and Romans 7:15. It can also mean to achieve or accomplish something.

Definition: πράσσω (Att.. -ττω, and so Act.17:7 Rec.; cf. M, Pr., 25, 45), [in LXX chiefly for עָשָׂה, פָּעַל ;] = Lat agere, as ποιέω (which see) = facere, __1. to do, practise, be engaged in: Act.19:19, 36, 1Co.9:17; τ. ἴδια π., to mind one's own business (τὰ ἑαυτοῦ, Soph., Plat.), 1Th.4:11; intrans., to act, Act.17:7. __2. to achieve, effect, accomplish, perform: Act.26:20, 26 Rom.7:15 9:11, 2Co.5:10, Php.4:9; νόμον (ICC, in l), Rom.2:25; of unworthy acts (for WH. usually ποιέω in cl.), to commit, do: Luk.22:23 23:41, Jhn.3:20 5:29, Act.3:17 5:35 16:28 25:11, 25 26:9, 31, Rom.1:32 (ICC, in l), Rom.2:1-3 7:19 13:4, 1Co.5:2, 2Co.12:21, Gal.5:21. __3. to transact, manage, hence, of payment, to exact (cl.): Luk.3:13 19:23. __4. Reflexively, of state or condition, to do or fare Æsch., Hdt., al.): Eph.6:21; εὖ π. (see M, Pr., 228 f.), Act.15:29.† SYN.: see: ποιέω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 36 NT verses. KJV: commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts See also: 1 Corinthians 9:17; Galatians 5:21; Romans 1:32.

μισθον misthos G3408 "wage" Noun-ASM

A wage is payment for work done, and can be good or bad. The Bible talks about wages in Matthew 20:8 and 1 Timothy 5:18.

Definition: μισθός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂכָר ;] __1. prop., wages, hire: Mat.20:8, Luk.10:7, Rom.4:4, 1Ti.5:18, Jas.5:4, Ju 11; μ. ἀδικίας, Act.1:18, 2Pe.2:13 (but see Mayor and ICC, in l), 2Pe.2:15. __2. Generally, reward: Jhn.4:36, 1Co.9:18; esp. of divine rewards, Mat.5:12 6:1-2, 5 6:16 10:41-42 Mrk.9:41, Luk.6:23, 35, 1Co.3:8 3:14, 2Jn.8, Rev.11:18 22:12; ἔχειν μ., Mat.5:46, 1Co.9:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: hire, reward, wages See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; Luke 10:7; James 5:4.

εχω echō G2192 "to have/be" Verb-PAI-1S

This Greek word means to have or hold something, like a possession or ability. It is used in many ways, such as having power or being with someone. The Bible uses it in Revelation 5:8 and 14:6.

Definition: ἔχω, [in LXX for אָצֵל (ἐχόμενος), יֵשׁ,בַּעַל, etc., 59 words in all ;] (on the Aktionsart of the various tenses, see M, Pr., 110, 145, 150, 183), to have, as in cl., in various senses and constructions. __I. Trans.; __1. 1. to have, hold, hold fast, etc.; __(a) to hold, as, in the hand: Rev.5:8 14:6, al.; ἐν τ. χειρί, Rev.1:16 10:2, al.; __(b) of arms and clothing, = φέρω, φορέω, to bear, wear: Mat.3:4 22:12, al.; so frequently present ptcp. (LS, see word, A, I, 6; Bl., 74, 2), Mrk.11:13, Jhn.18:10, Rev.9:17, al.; __(with) of a woman, ἐν γαστρὶ ἔ, to be with child: Mrk.13:17, Rom.9:10; __(d) to hold fast, keep: Luk.19:20; metaphorically, of the mind and conduct, Mrk.16:8 (cf. Job.21:6, Isa.13:8; Deiss., BS, 293; Field, Notes, 44f.), Jhn.14:21, Rom.1:28, 1Ti.3:9, 2Ti.1:13, Rev.6:9, al.; __(e) to involve: Heb.10:35 (LXX), Jas.1:4, 1Jn.4:18; (f) = Lat. habere (Bl., §34, 5; 73, 5), to hold, consider: with accusative and predic. ptcp., Luk.14:18; with accusative, before ὡς, Mat.14:5; εἰς (Hebraism), Mat.21:46; on (Bl., §70, 2), Mrk.11:32. __2. to have, possess; __(a) in general, with accusative of thing(s): Mat.19:22, Mrk.10:22, Luk.12:19, Jhn.10:16, 1Co.11:22, al.; of wealth or poverty, absol., ἔχειν (neg. οὐκ, μή), Mat.13:12 25:29, 2Co.8:12; ἐκ τ. ἔχειν, according to your means, 2Co.8:11; __(b) of relationship, association, and: πατέρα, Jhn.8:41; γυναῖκα (MM, xiv), 1Co.7:2; φίλον, Luk.11:5; βασιλέα, Jhn.19:15; ποιμένα, Mat.9:36; with dupl. accusative, Mat.3:9, al.; __(with) of parts or members: ὦτα, Mat.19:15; μέλη, Rom.12:4; θεμελίους, __(d) with accusative, as periphrasis of verb: μνεῖαν ἔ. (= μεμνῆσθαι), 1Th.3:6; ἀγάπην, Jhn.13:35; γνῶσιν, 1Co.8:1; πεποίθησιν, 2Co.3:4; θλίψιν, Jhn.16:33, etc. (Thayer, see word, I, 2, f., g.); __(e) of duty, necessity, etc.: ἀνάγκην, 1Co.7:37; νόμον, Jhn.19:7; ἐπιταγήν, 1Co.7:25; ἀγῶνα, Php.1:30; κρίμα, 1Ti.5:12; __(f) of complaints and disputes; κατά, with genitive of person(s), Mat.5:23, Mrk.11:25; id. before ὅτι, Rev.2:4, 20; with accusative before πρός, Act.24:19, al.; __(g) with inf., __(α) (cl.) to be able (Field, Notes, 14): Mat.18:25, Mrk.14:8 (sc. ποιῆσαι), Luk.12:4, Act.4:14, al; __(β) of necessity (BL, §69, 4): Luk.12:50, Act.23:17-19 28:19. __II. Intrans. (BL, §53, 1), to be in a certain condition: ἑτοίμως ἔ., with inf., Act.21:13, 2Co.12:14; ἐσχάτως (which see), Mrk.5:23; κακῶς, to be ill, Mat.4:24, al.; καλῶς, Mk 16:[18]; κομψότερον, Jhn.4:52; πῶς, Act.15:36; impers., ἄλλως εἴχει, it is otherwise, 1Ti.5:25; οὕτως, Act.7:1, al.; τὸ νῦν ἔχον, as things now are (Tob.7:11), Act.24:25. __III. Mid., -ομαι, to hold oneself fast, hold on or cling to, be next to: with genitive, τ. ἐχόμενα σωτηρίας, Heb.6:9 (Rendall, in l.); ptcp., ὁ ἐχόμενος, near, next: of place, Mrk.1:38; of time, τ. ἐχομένη (ἡμέρα, expressed or understood), Luk.13:33, Act.20:15 21:26; (σαββάτῳ), Act.13:44. (Cf. ἀν-, προσ-αν-, ἀντ-, ἀπ-, ἐν-, ἐπ-, κατ-, μετ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, ὑπερ-, ὑπ-έχω.) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 628 NT verses. KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use See also: 1 Corinthians 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:10; 1 Peter 2:12.

ει ei G1487 "if" COND

This word means 'if' and is used to express conditions or questions. It appears in many Bible verses, such as Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25, introducing a condition or hypothesis.

Usage: Occurs in 459 NT verses. KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Peter 1:6.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

ακων akōn G210 "unwilling" Adj-NSM

Unwilling or against one's will is the meaning of this word, as in 1 Corinthians 9:17. It describes an action taken without enthusiasm or consent, often in spite of one's own desires.

Definition: ἀκων (Attic contr. for ἀέκων), -ουα, -ον (ἀ- neg., ἅκων, willing), [in LXX: Job.14:17, 2Ma.11:12 * ;] unwilling: 1Co.9:17.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: against the will See also: 1 Corinthians 9:17.

οικονομιαν oikonomia G3622 "management" Noun-ASF

The Greek word for management or administration, used in Ephesians 1:10 to describe God's plan for the world. It refers to the way something is overseen or directed, like a household or a divine plan. The Bible talks about God's management of the world.

Definition: οἰκονομία, -ας, ἡ (οἰκονομέω), [in LXX: Isa.22:19, 21 (מַצָּב, מֶמְשָׁלָה)* ;] __1. prop. (Plat., Arist.), the office of οἰκονόμος, stewardship: Luk.16:2-4. __2. In later writers (Plut., al.; see AR on Eph.1:10; MM, xviii), generally, administration, dispensation: 1Co.9:17, Eph.1:10 3:2, 9, Col.1:25, 1Ti.1:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: dispensation, stewardship See also: 1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 3:2; Luke 16:4.

πεπιστευμαι pisteuō G4100 "to trust (in)" Verb-RPI-1S

To believe or trust in someone, like having faith in Jesus Christ, is what this word means. It's used in Matthew 24:23 and Mark 13:21, showing trust in God's power and promises.

Definition: πιστεύω, [in LXX chiefly for אמן hi. ;] __1. intrans., to have faith (in), to believe; in cl., with accusative, dative, in NT also with prep, (on the significance of the various constructions, see M, Pr., 67f.; Vau. on Rom.4:5; Ellic. on 1Ti.1:16; Abbott, JV, 19-80): absol., Mat.24:23, 26 Mrk.13:21, 1Co.11:18; with accusative of thing(s), Act.13:41, 1Co.13:7; with dative of person(s) (to believe what one says), Mrk.16:[13, 14], 1Jn.4:1; τ. ψεύδει, 2Th.2:11; περί . . . ὅτι, Jhn.9:18; esp. and most frequently with reference to religious belief: absol., Mat.8:13, Mrk.5:36, Luk.8:50, Jhn.11:40, al.; before ὅτι, Mat.9:28, al.; with dative (see supr., and cf. DB, i, 829a), Jhn.3:12 5:24 6:30 8:31, Act.16:34, Gal.3:6" (LXX), 2Ti.1:12, 1Jn.5:10, al.; with prep., (expressing personal trust and reliance as distinct from mere credence or belief; see M, Pr., l.with; DB, i, 829b), to believe in or on: ἐν (Psa.77 (78):22, al.), Mrk.1:15 (see Swete, in l.); εἰς, Mat.18:6, Jhn.2:11 (see Westc., in l.), and freq., Act.10:43 19:4, Rom.10:14, Gal.2:16, Php.1:29, I Jhn.5:10, 1Pe.1:8; εἰς τ. ὄνομα, Jhn.1:12 2:23 3:18, 1Jn.5:13; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.27:42, Act.9:42 11:17 16:31 22:19, Rom.4:5; ἐπί, with dative, Rom.9:33 (LXX) 10:11 (ib.), 1Ti.1:16, 1Pe.2:6" (LXX) ; ptcp. pres., οἱ π., as subst., Act.2:44, Rom.3:22, 1Co.1:21, al.; aor., Mrk.16:[16], Act.4:32; pf., Act.19:18 21:20 (on Johannine use of the tenses of π., see Westc, Epp. Jo., 120). __2. Trans., to entrust: with accusative and dative, Luk.16:11, Jhn.2:24; pass., to be entrusted with: with accusative, Rom.3:2, 1Co.9:17, Gal.2:7, 1Th.2:4 (see Lft., Notes, 21f.), 1Ti.1:11, Tit.1:3. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 219 NT verses. KJV: believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:21; John 5:47; 1 Peter 1:8.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 9:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
1 Corinthians 9:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 9:17

Context — The Rights of an Apostle

15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast. 16Yet when I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am obligated to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

17If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.

18What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. 19Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Galatians 2:7	On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
2	1 Corinthians 3:8	He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
3	1 Chronicles 28:9	As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
4	Matthew 10:41	Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
5	Colossians 1:25	I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
6	1 Peter 5:2–4	Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
7	Isaiah 6:8	Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”
8	Nehemiah 11:2	And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
9	1 Chronicles 29:5	for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now who will volunteer to consecrate himself to the LORD today?”
10	1 Chronicles 29:9	And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.

1 Corinthians 9:17 Summary

[The Apostle Paul is saying that if he preaches the gospel because he wants to, he will receive a reward, but if he preaches because he has to, he still has a responsibility to do it, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17. This responsibility is not just a suggestion, but a command from God, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20. As believers, we can learn from the Apostle Paul's example and recognize that we have a responsibility to share the gospel with others, whether we feel like it or not, and trust that God will reward our faithful service, as seen in Revelation 22:12.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the Apostle Paul's preaching to be voluntary?

The Apostle Paul is saying that if he chooses to preach the gospel of his own free will, he will receive a reward, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:17, but if he is compelled to preach by a sense of obligation, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:16, he still has a responsibility to fulfill his duty as a minister of the gospel, as commanded in Ezekiel 33:7-9

How does this verse relate to the concept of rewards in the Bible?

The Bible teaches that believers will receive rewards for their faithful service to God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, and in this verse, the Apostle Paul is saying that he will receive a reward for his preaching, but his primary motivation is to fulfill his responsibility to God, as seen in Acts 20:24

What is the responsibility that the Apostle Paul is entrusted with?

The Apostle Paul is entrusted with the responsibility of preaching the gospel, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17, and this responsibility is not just a suggestion, but a command from God, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15

How can we apply this verse to our own lives as believers?

As believers, we are all called to share the gospel with others, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20, and we can apply this verse by recognizing that we have a responsibility to fulfill our duty to God, whether we feel like it or not, and trusting that God will reward our faithful service, as seen in Revelation 22:12

Reflection Questions

What motivates you to serve God, is it a sense of obligation or a willingness to volunteer?
How do you think the Apostle Paul's statement that he would 'rather die than let anyone nullify my boast' in 1 Corinthians 9:15 relates to his sense of responsibility to preach the gospel?
What are some ways that you can fulfill your responsibility to share the gospel with others, as commanded in Matthew 28:18-20?
How can you trust God to reward your faithful service, even when it is difficult or challenging, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:10?
What are some ways that you can make yourself a 'slave to everyone' in order to win as many as possible to Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:19?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly,.... That is, not freely and without receiving anything for preaching, without seeking any temporal profits and advantages; nor in pure love to Christ, and the good

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; if I who have a liberty to take a maintenance for my labour in the gospel, yet notwithstanding preach it freely, out of a free and cheerful mind, desirous to promote the honour and glory of Christ, I then may expect a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me; but if I only preach the gospel because there is a necessity laid upon me, all that can be said of me is, that there is such a dispensation committed to me. The strength of the apostle’ s argument seems to lie here: That no man can reasonably expect thanks, or any extraordinary reward, for doing what he is obliged by his snperior’ s command under a great penalty to do. The apostle was obliged by such a precept, and under such penalties, to preach the gospel; therefore he desired not only to do it, but to do it willingly and readily, a greater testimony of which could not be, than for him to do it without desiring or expecting any reward for his pains, but what God of his free grace should give him; this made this matter of glorying to him, which he desired might not be in vain. So that though the word ekwn here be truly translated willingly, and opposed to akwn, which is as truly translated unwillingly, yet it seems to comprehend without charge, and taking nothing for his pains, as a demonstration of his willingness to and cheerful performance of his work; which being a thing as to which God had laid him under no necessity by any precept, was matter of glorying to him against the false apostles, who did otherwise; and also a ground for him to expect a greater reward from God, than those who, though they did the same work, yet did it not from the like free and cheerful spirit.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17

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. Ver. 17. I have a reward] Yet not earned, but of free grace, God crowning his own works in us. He was a proud Papist that said, Caelum gratis non accipiam, I will not have heaven for nought. (Vega.) And he another, that said, Opera bona mercatura regni caelestis, Good works are the price of heaven. (Bellarm.) God will cast all such merit merchants out of his temple. But if against my will] Virtus nolentium, nulla est. God will strain upon no man. All his servants are a free people, Psalms 110:3. All his soldiers volunteers. They fly to their colours as the doves to their windows, Isaiah 60:8.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17

(17) For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward.—The previous words, “Yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel,” are a parenthesis; and now the writer proves the truth of his assertion—that the necessity of preaching the gospel deprives the mere act itself of any grounds of boasting—by showing that if there were no necessity there would be a ground of boasting. The argument is this:—Suppose it to be otherwise, and that there is no such necessity, then, by voluntarily undertaking it, I have a reward. The undertaking it of my own free will would entitle me to a reward. But if (as is the case) not of my free will, but of necessity, then I am merely a steward—a slave doing his duty (1 Corinthians 4:1; Luke 17:7-10). A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.—Better, I am entrusted with a stewardship.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17

Verse 17. For if I do this thing willingly] If I be a cordial co-operator with God, I have a reward, an incorruptible crown, 1 Corinthians 9:25. Or, if I freely preach this Gospel without being burthensome to any, I have a special reward; but if I do not, I have simply an office to fulfil, into which God has put me, and may fulfil it conscientiously, and claim my privileges at the same time; but then I lose that special reward which I have in view by preaching the Gospel without charge to any. This and the 18th verse have been variously translated: Sir Norton Knatchhull and, after him, Mr. Wakefield translate the two passages thus: For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if I am intrusted with an office without my consent? what is my reward then? to make the Gospel of Christ, whilst I preach it, without charge, in not using to the utmost my privileges in the Gospel. Others render the passage thus: But if I do it merely because I am obliged to it, I only discharge an office that is committed to me, 1 Corinthians 9:18. For what then shall I be rewarded? It is for this, that, preaching the Gospel of Christ, I preach it freely, and do not insist on a claim which the Gospel itself gives me.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 9:17

17. For if I do this thing willingly] Whether St Paul did his work willingly or unwillingly, he could not escape his responsibility. He had been chosen (Acts 9:15; Acts 13:2; Romans 1:5; Romans 15:16; Galatians 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:2) to bear the good tidings to the Gentiles, and ho man can disobey God and be guiltless. If he willingly obeyed God, he had a reward in the consciousness of having done his duty (1 Corinthians 9:18); if not, he still had been entrusted with the task. Cf. St Luke 17:10.reward] Rather, wages. Cf. St John 4:36; St Matthew 20:8, and St Luke 10:7, where the same word is used.dispensation] Literally, stewardship, the work of one who has to dispense provisions or stores. The original meaning of the word dispensation, which is akin to spend, is the giving forth, as out of a store. So Dr Woodward, in his Natural Philosophy, writes, “This perpetual circulation is constantly promoted by a dispensation of water promiscuously to all parts of the earth.” And Latimer writes, “I pray you, what is to be looked for in a dispensour? This, surely; that he be found faithful, and that he truly dispense and lay out the goods of the Lord.” Sermon on the Unjust Steward, preached before Convocation, June 6th, 1536. Hence it came to have the meaning of a course, or order, of God’s providence, distributed or appointed by Him to man. But this is not the meaning here. Wiclif renders dispending is bitaken to me. Tyndale, office.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly - If I preach so as to show that my heart is in it; that I am not compelled, If I pursue such a course as to show that I prefer it to all other employments.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:17

17. For—Literally translated—For if willing I do this, I have a reward; if unwilling, with a stewardship am I intrusted.By willing, here, is meant a willingness not enforced by the necessity and the

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 9:17

	Sermon	Description
	Check Your Motives by Brent Barnett	Brent Barnett preaches on the importance of having pure and sincere motives in our actions, emphasizing that God looks at the heart rather than just outward appearances. He highlig
	Epistle 252 by George Fox	George Fox emphasizes the importance of humility, meekness, and purity for those who minister the gospel. He urges ministers to be examples in their conduct and to avoid ungracious
	Among the Workers by Watchman Nee	Watchman Nee emphasizes the importance of local churches and the spiritual unity among workers in the body of Christ. He explains that while churches in Scripture are independent a
	Revival Series 5 by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the downfall of those who have gained wealth and power through dishonest means. He emphasizes that their kingdom will eventually perish, whil
	(1 Corinthians) ch.3:1-3:17 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of building our lives and work on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that in the final day of judgment, God will t
	Church Live Re-Visited: Session Four - Part 2 by Ron Bailey	This sermon delves into the process of spiritual renewal and growth as outlined in Colossians and Ephesians, emphasizing the ongoing transformation of believers. It also discusses
	A Return to the True Gospel by Miki Hardy	In this sermon, the speaker addresses the spiritual emptiness and vacuum in the nation, where Christians are crying out for the truth. They express frustration with the current sta