1 Corinthians 9:17 · KJV
“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.”
— 1 Corinthians 9:17
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!
What 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.
1 Corinthians 9 — Context
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for {it were} better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16For 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!
17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation {of the gospel} is committed unto 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 be free from all {men}, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Cross References
Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as {the gospel} of the circumcision {was} unto Peter;
1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Matthew 10:41
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Colossians 1:25
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; {to fulfil...: or, fully to preach the word}
1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.
Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here {am} I; send me. {Here...: Heb. behold me}
1 Peter 5:2-4
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight {thereof}, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; {which...: or, as much as in you is}
Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But {his word} was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not {stay}.