1 Corinthians 9:17
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 in other translations
| BSB | If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility. |
|---|---|
| WEB | For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. |
| ASV | For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. |
| YLT | for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly--with a stewardship I have been entrusted! |
| DARBY | For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration. |
| BBE | But if I do it gladly, I have a reward; and if not, I am under orders to do it. |
| Webster | For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to me. |
What does 1 Corinthians 9:17 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
I have a reward. I shall meet with the approbation of my Lord, and shall obtain the reward in the world to come which is promised to those who engage heartily, and laboriously, and successfully in turning sinners to God, Prov 11:30, Dan 12:3, Mt 13:43, 25:21-23, Jas 5:20.
But if against my will. ακων. If under a necessity, (1Cor 9:16;) if by the command of another,--(Grotius;) if I do it by the fear of punishment, or by any strong necessity which is laid on me.
A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. I am entrusted with (πεπιστευμαι) this dispensation, office, economy (οικονομιαν) of the gospel. It has been laid upon me; I have been called to it; I must engage in this Work; and if I do it from mere compulsion, or in such a way that my will shall not acquiesce in it, and concur with it, I shall have no distinguished reward. The work must be done; I must preach the gospel; and it becomes me so to do it as to show that my heart and will entirely concur; that it is not a matter of compulsion, but of choice. This he proposed to do by so denying himself, and so foregoing comforts which he might lawfully enjoy, and so subjecting himself to perils and toils in preaching the gospel, as to show that his heart was in the work, and that he truly loved it.
(b) "dispensation" Col 1:25
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off…
1 Corinthians 9:17 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Corinthians 9:17
- 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.
- 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;
- 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.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
- 1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
- Ezekiel 3:14
So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.
- 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.
- 1 Chronicles 29:5
The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?
- 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.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ch 28:9; 29:5,9,14; Ne 11:2; Isa 6:8; 2Co 8:12; Phm 1:14; 1Pe 5:2-4
have.
3:8,14; Mt 10:41
against.
Ex 4:13,14; Jer 20:9; Eze 3:14; Jon 1:3; 4:1-3; Mal 1:10
dispensation.
16; 4:1; Mt 24:25; Lu 12:42; Ga 2:7; Eph 3:2-8; Php 1:17; Col 1:25
1Th 2:4; 1Ti 1:11-13
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- 1 Corinthians 9:16
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!
- 1 Corinthians 9:17
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 9:18
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 9:17 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por lo cual, si lo hago de voluntad, premio tendré; mas si por fuerza, la dispensación me ha sido encargada. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car, si je fais cela volontairement, j’en ai un salaire; mais si c’est malgré moi, une administration m’est confiée. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn wenn ich dies freiwillig tue, so habe ich Lohn, wenn aber unfreiwillig, so bin ich mit einer Verwaltung betraut. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Si enim volens hoc ago, mercedem habeo: si autem invitus, dispensatio mihi credita est. |