1 Corinthians 9:13-18

Paul Surrenders His Rights

¹³ Do you not know that _a those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord commanded that _b those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

¹⁵ But _c I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone _d deprive me of my ground for boasting. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For _e necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with _f a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That in my preaching _g I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

1. Cross References
   Leviticus 6:16
   And the rest of it Aaron and his sons shall eat...
   Leviticus 6:26
   The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. ...
   Leviticus 7:6
   Every male among the priests may eat of it. It ...
   Numbers 5:9 - 10
   And every contribution, all the holy donations ...
   Numbers 18:8 - 20
   Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, "Behold, I have g...
   Deuteronomy 18:1
   The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, s...
   
2. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 9:4
   Do we not have the right to eat and drink?
   Matthew 10:10
   No bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
   
3. Cross References
   Acts 18:3
   And because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
   
4. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:10
   As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.
   
5. Cross References
   Acts 4:20
   For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.
   Acts 9:6
   But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.
   Romans 1:14
   I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
   
6. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 4:1
   This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
   Galatians 2:7
   On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised
   Philippians 1:16
   The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
   
7. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:7
   Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God's gospel to you free of charge?
   2 Corinthians 12:13
   For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!