1 Corinthians 9:16-27
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.
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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.
24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives s the prize? So t run that you may obtain it.
25
Every u athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we v an imperishable.
26
So I do not run aimlessly; I w do not box as one x beating the air.
27
But I discipline my body and y keep it under control, lest after preaching to others z I myself should be a disqualified.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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Cross References
2 Corinthians 11:29
Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?
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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.
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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.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
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Cross References
Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 2:18
Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.
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Cross References
Galatians 2:2
I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.
Galatians 5:7
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Philippians 2:16
Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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Cross References
1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2 Timothy 2:5
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
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Cross References
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
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Cross References
Hebrews 12:4
In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:9
So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
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Cross References
Romans 6:19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
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Cross References
Song of Solomon 1:6
Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother's sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!
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Cross References
Jeremiah 6:30
Rejected silver they are called, for the Lord has rejected them.
Romans 1:28
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Hebrews 6:8
But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.