◄ 1 Corinthians 9:18 ►
What 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.
Study Bible
What then is my reward?

Paul is addressing the Corinthians, explaining his motivation for preaching the gospel. In the context of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul discusses his rights as an apostle, including the right to receive material support. However, he chooses to forgo these rights for the sake of the gospel. This rhetorical question emphasizes his commitment to a higher reward, which is spiritual rather than material. It reflects the biblical principle found in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

1Co 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose…
Col 3:24 because you know that you will receive an inheritance…
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward…

That in preaching the gospel

Paul's primary mission is to spread the message of Jesus Christ. The term "gospel" refers to the good news of salvation through Jesus, a central theme throughout the New Testament. Paul's dedication to preaching is evident in his missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts. His commitment to the gospel is also a fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations.

1Co 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach…
Rom 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel…
Act 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me…

I may offer it free of charge,

Paul emphasizes his decision to preach without financial compensation. This choice is significant in the cultural context of Corinth, a city known for its patron-client relationships, where speakers and philosophers often received payment. By offering the gospel freely, Paul distinguishes himself from other teachers and underscores the grace of God, which cannot be bought or earned. This approach aligns with Isaiah 55:1, which invites everyone to come and receive freely from God.

2Co 11:7 Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order…
Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers…
Isa 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;…

and so not use up my rights in preaching it.

Paul acknowledges his rights as an apostle, including the right to receive support (1 Corinthians 9:4-14). However, he willingly relinquishes these rights to avoid any hindrance to the gospel. This self-denial is a reflection of Christ's own sacrifice, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, where Jesus, though entitled to divine privileges, humbled Himself for humanity's sake. Paul's actions serve as a model for Christian service, prioritizing the spiritual well-being of others over personal entitlements.

1Th 2:6 Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else…
1Th 2:9 Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil.…
2Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth. He is discussing his rights as an apostle and his choice to forego those rights for the sake of the Gospel.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and moral issues, which Paul addresses in his letters.

3. The Gospel
The good news of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection, which Paul is committed to preaching without charge to avoid hindering its spread.
Teaching Points
Sacrificial Service
Paul exemplifies sacrificial service by choosing to preach the Gospel without financial compensation. This challenges us to consider how we can serve others selflessly in our own lives.

Prioritizing the Gospel
The spread of the Gospel should take precedence over personal rights and privileges. We are encouraged to evaluate what we might need to set aside to ensure the Gospel is unhindered.

Integrity in Ministry
Paul’s approach underscores the importance of integrity and transparency in ministry. We should strive to maintain a clear conscience and avoid any actions that could be perceived as self-serving.

Dependence on God
By foregoing his rights, Paul demonstrates a deep trust in God’s provision. This invites us to rely on God rather than on human means for our needs.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul’s decision to preach the Gospel free of charge challenge our understanding of rights and privileges in ministry today?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of sacrificial service in our own lives and communities?

3. How does Paul’s example of integrity in ministry inspire us to maintain transparency and accountability in our own spiritual walk?

4. What are some modern-day "rights" or privileges that we might need to set aside to prioritize the Gospel?

5. How can we cultivate a deeper dependence on God for provision, as demonstrated by Paul in his ministry?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 9:12
Paul discusses his rights as an apostle and his decision not to use them to avoid hindering the Gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:7
Paul reiterates his commitment to preaching the Gospel free of charge, emphasizing his desire to serve the Corinthians without being a financial burden.

Matthew 10:8
Jesus instructs His disciples to freely give as they have freely received, which aligns with Paul's approach to ministry.
Sermons
A True MinisterA. F. Barfield.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Abstinence from Rightful PrivilegesF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Maintenance of the MinistryM. Dods, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Ministerial IndependenceJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Signs of ApostleshipProf. J. R. Thomson.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Claims of the Christian MinisterJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Leading Characteristics of a Truly Great Gospel MinisterD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Right of the Ministry to SupportJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Seal of ApostleshipJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
The Successful MinisterJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:1-22
Ministerial SupportH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 9:4-18
Reasons for This Self DenialC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
St. Paul an ExceptionR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
Aspects of St. Paul's MinistryC. Hodge, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:17-19
Ministers and Wealth1 Corinthians 9:17-19
Purity of Motive Required in Every Christian MinisterJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:17-19
The Highest Service of Man EarthD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:17-19
True Ministerial IndependenceJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 9:17-19
People
Barnabas, Cephas, Christians, Corinthians, Paul, Peter
Places
Corinth
Topics
Abuse, Announcing, Authority, Belonging, Charge, Charged, Christ, Christian, Cost, Costless, Fact, Free, Full, Giving, Glad, Gospel, Hearers, Making, News, Nothing, Offer, Payment, Power, Preach, Preacher, Preaching, Present, Privileges, Proclaiming, Reward, Rights, Tidings, Verily, Wages
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 9:1-18

     5504   rights

1 Corinthians 9:3-18

     5109   Paul, apostle

1 Corinthians 9:4-18

     5216   authority, nature of

1 Corinthians 9:15-18

     8820   self-confidence

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

     6696   necessity

Library
Third Sunday Before Lent
Text: First Corinthians 9, 24-27; 10, 1-5. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How the victor Runs
So run, that ye may obtain.'--1 COR. ix. 24. 'So run.' Does that mean 'Run so that ye obtain?' Most people, I suppose, superficially reading the words, attach that significance to them, but the 'so' here carries a much greater weight of meaning than that. It is a word of comparison. The Apostle would have the Corinthians recall the picture which he has been putting before them--a picture of a scene that was very familiar to them; for, as most of us know, one of the most important of the Grecian …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

'Concerning the Crown'
'They do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we are incorruptible.'--1 COR. ix. 25. One of the most famous of the Greek athletic festivals was held close by Corinth. Its prize was a pine-wreath from the neighbouring sacred grove. The painful abstinence and training of ten months, and the fierce struggle of ten minutes, had for their result a twist of green leaves, that withered in a week, and a little fading fame that was worth scarcely more, and lasted scarcely longer. The struggle and the discipline …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Sin of Silence
'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! 17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward.'--1 COR. ix. 16, 17. The original reference of these words is to the Apostle's principle and practice of not receiving for his support money from the churches. Gifts he did accept; pay he did not. The exposition of his reason is interesting, ingenuous, and chivalrous. He strongly asserts his right, even …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

A Servant of Men
'For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21. To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all …
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Preach the Gospel
Now, these words of Paul, I trust, are applicable to many ministers in the present day; to all those who are especially called, who are directed by the inward impulse of the Holy Spirit to occupy the position of gospel ministers. In trying to consider this verse, we shall have three inquiries this morning:--First, What is it to preach the gospel? Secondly, Why is it that a minister has nothing to glorify of? And thirdly, What is that necessity and that woe, of which it is written, "Necessity is laid …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

The Heavenly Race
And now, in entering upon the text, I shall have to notice what it is we are to run for: "So run that ye may obtain;" secondly, the mode of running, to which we must attend--"So run that ye may obtain;" and then I shall give a few practical exhortations to stir those onward in the heavenly race who are flagging and negligent, in order that they may at last "obtain." I. In the first place, then, WHAT IS IT THAT WE OUGHT TO SEEK TO OBTAIN? Some people think they must be religious, in order to be respectable. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing," &C.
Rom. xv. 13.--"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing," &c. It is usual for the Lord in his word to turn his precepts unto promises, which shows us, that the commandments of God do not so much import an ability in us, or suppose strength to fulfil them, as declare that obligation which lies upon us, and his purpose and intention to accomplish in some, what he requires of all: and therefore we should accordingly convert all his precepts unto prayers, seeing he hath made …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
John Bunyan was born in the village of Elstow, near Bedford, England, in 1628. Because of his fearless preaching he was imprisoned in Bedford jail from 1660 to 1672, and again for six months in 1675, during which latter time it is said his wonderful "Pilgrim's Progress" was written. While his sermons in their tedious prolixity share the fault of his time, they are characterized by vividness, epigrammatic wit, and dramatic fervor. The purity and simplicity of his style have been highly praised, and …
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Vol. 2

Against Vain Judgments of Men
"My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to please all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Apostles To-Day?
"Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?"--1 Cor. ix. 1. We may not take leave of the apostolate without a last look at the circle of its members. It is a closed circle; and every effort to reopen it tends to efface a characteristic of the New Covenant. And yet the effort is being made again and again. We see it in Rome's apostolic succession; in the Ethical view gradually effacing the boundary-line between the apostles and believers; …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the Fruits or Effects of virtue and vice,
so reasonable in itself, and so absolutely necessary for the vindication of the honour of God, the nature of things, and the constitution and order of God's creation, was originally such, that the observance of the eternal rules of justice, equity, and goodness, does indeed of itself tend by direct and natural consequence to make all creatures happy, and the contrary practice to make them miserable; yet since, through some great and general corruption and depravation, (whencesoever that may have …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality
AN ESSAY ON THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE OF IMMORTALITY BY THE REV. JAMES CHALLIS, M.A., F.R.S., F.R.A.S. PLUMIAN PROFESSOR OF ASTRONOMY AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, AND FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE. Anagke gar moi epikeitai ouai gar moi estin, ean me euaggelzumai --1 Cor. ix. 16 RIVINGTONS London, Oxford, and Cambridge MDCCCLXXX RIVINGTONS London . . . . . . Waterloo Place Oxford . . . . . . Magdalen Street Cambridge . . . . Trinity Street [All rights reserved] …
James Challis—An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality

Concerning Christian Liberty
CHRISTIAN faith has appeared to many an easy thing; nay, not a few even reckon it among the social virtues, as it were; and this they do, because they have not made proof of it experimentally, and have never tasted of what efficacy it is. For it is not possible for any man to write well about it, or to understand well what is rightly written, who has not at some time tasted of its spirit, under the pressure of tribulation. While he who has tasted of it, even to a very small extent, can never write, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

The Edict of Banishment, 1729-1736.
But Zinzendorf was not long allowed to tread the primrose path of peace. As the news of his proceedings spread in Germany, many orthodox Lutherans began to regard him as a nuisance, a heretic, and a disturber of the peace; and one critic made the elegant remark: "When Count Zinzendorf flies up into the air, anyone who pulls him down by the legs will do him a great service." He was accused of many crimes, and had many charges to answer. He was accused of founding a new sect, a society for laziness; …
J. E. Hutton—History of the Moravian Church

But He Speaks More Openly in the Rest which He Subjoins...
9. But he speaks more openly in the rest which he subjoins, and altogether removes all causes of doubting. "If we unto you," saith he, "have sown spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" What are the spiritual things which he sowed, but the word and mystery of the sacrament of the kingdom of heaven? And what the carnal things which he saith he had a right to reap, but these temporal things which are indulged to the life and indigency of the flesh? These however …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

Hence Arises Another Question; for Peradventure one May Say...
23. Hence arises another question; for peradventure one may say, "What then? did the other Apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas, sin, in that they did not work? Or did they occasion an hindrance to the Gospel, because blessed Paul saith that he had not used this power on purpose that he might not cause any hindrance to the Gospel of Christ? For if they sinned because they wrought not, then had they not received power not to work, but to live instead by the Gospel. But if they had received …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your Shoulders...
37. We are not binding heavy burdens and laying them upon your shoulders, while we with a finger will not touch them. Seek out, and acknowledge the labor of our occupations, and in some of us the infirmities of our bodies also, and in the Churches which we serve, that custom now grown up, that they do not suffer us to have time ourselves for those works to which we exhort you. For though we might say, "Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

And He Comes Back Again, and in all Ways...
10. And he comes back again, and in all ways, over and over again, enforceth what he hath the right to do, yet doeth not. "Do ye not know," saith he, "that they which work in the temple, eat of the things which are in the temple? they which serve the altar, have their share with the altar? So hath the Lord ordained for them which preach the Gospel, to live of the Gospel. But I have used none of these things." [2500] What more open than this? what more clear? I fear lest haply, while I discourse wishing …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

But Now, that as Bearing with the Infirmity of Men He did This...
12. But now, that as bearing with the infirmity of men he did this, let us hear what follows: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. To them that are under the law, I became as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law." [2505] Which thing he did, not with craftiness …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks.

There Resulteth Then from all These this Sentence...
41. There resulteth then from all these this sentence, that a lie which doth not violate the doctrine of piety, nor piety itself, nor innocence, nor benevolence, may on behalf of pudicity of body be admitted. And yet if any man should propose to himself so to love truth, not only that which consists in contemplation, but also in uttering the true thing, which each in its own kind of things is true, and no otherwise to bring forth with the mouth of the body his thought than in the mind it is conceived …
St. Augustine—On Lying

The Great Synod Has Stringently Forbidden any Bishop, Presbyter...
The great Synod has stringently forbidden any bishop, presbyter, deacon, or any one of the clergy whatever, to have a subintroducta dwelling with him, except only a mother, or sister, or aunt, or such persons only as are beyond all suspicion. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon III. No one shall have a woman in his house except his mother, and sister, and persons altogether beyond suspicion. Justellus. Who these mulieres subintroductæ were does not sufficiently appear...but they were neither wives …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

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