1 Corinthians 9:17
“For if I doe this thing willingly, I haue a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed vnto me.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
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1 Corinthians 9:17 Context
15But I haue vsed none of these things. Neither haue I written these things, that it should bee so done vnto me: for it were better for me to die, then that any man should make my glorying voyd. 16For though I preach the Gospel, I haue nothing to glorie of: for necessitie is laid vpon mee, yea, woe is vnto me, if I preach not the Gospel. 17For if I doe this thing willingly, I haue a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed vnto me. 18What 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. 19For though I bee free from all men, yet haue I made my selfe seruant vnto all, that I might gaine the more.
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Other Translations for 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.
- King James Version
For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
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.
- American Standard Version (1901)
But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it.
- Basic English Bible
For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.
- Darby Bible
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.
- Webster's Bible
And if I preach willingly, I receive my wages; but if against my will, a stewardship has nevertheless been entrusted to me.
- Weymouth Bible
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.
- World English Bible
But if Y do this thing wilfuli, Y haue mede; but if ayens my wille, dispending is bitakun to me.
- Wycliffe Bible
for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly -- with a stewardship I have been entrusted!
- Youngs Literal Bible
Wesley's Notes for 1 Corinthians 9:17
9:17 Willingly - He seems to mean, without receiving anything. St. Paul here speaks in a manner peculiar to himself. Another might have preached willingly, and yet have received a maintenance from the Corinthians. But if he had received anything from them, he would have termed it preaching unwillingly. And so, in the next verse, another might have used that power without abusing it. But his own using it at all, he would have termed abusing it. A dispensation is intrusted to me - Therefore I dare not refrain.
People's Bible Notes for 1 Corinthians 9:17
1Co 9:17 If I do this thing willingly. If he preached voluntarily, he might then claim an earthly reward. But if against my will. If Paul does this as a servant of Christ upon whom the service is laid; then he has a dispensation [of the gospel] committed to him. "A stewardship", as in the Revised Version. In that case he has the obligations of a steward. It is his duty to feed the Master's servants.