1 Corinthians 9:11-23

Paul Surrenders His Rights

11 x If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

12 If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, y we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything z rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 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.

19 For h though I am free from all, i I have made myself a servant to all, that I might j win more of them. 20 k To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To l those outside the law I became m as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but n under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 o To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. p I have become all things to all people, that q by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, r that I may share with them in its blessings.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 15:27
    For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
    Galatians 6:6
    One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:15
    But 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 deprive me of my ground for boasting.
    1 Corinthians 9:18
    What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
    Acts 20:33
    I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
  3. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:3
    We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry.
    2 Corinthians 11:12
    And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
  4. 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...
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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!
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:1
    Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
    1 Corinthians 10:29
    I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?
  12. Cross References
    Galatians 5:13
    For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 18:15
    If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
    1 Peter 3:1
    Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 16:3
    Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
    Acts 21:23 - 26
    Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 2:12
    For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
    Romans 2:14
    For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
  16. Cross References
    Galatians 2:3
    But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
    Galatians 3:2
    Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:22
    For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
  18. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:29
    Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
  19. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:33
    Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:16
    For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
    Romans 11:14
    In order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:24
    Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.