1 Corinthians 9:17
Good News Translation
If I did my work as a matter of free choice, then I could expect to be paid; but I do it as a matter of duty, because God has entrusted me with this task.

New Revised Standard Version
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.

Contemporary English Version
If I preach because I want to, I will be paid. But even if I don't want to, it is still something God has sent me to do.

New American Bible
If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me.

if I.

1 Chronicles 28:9 And thou my son Solomon, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the thoughts of minds. If thou seek him, thou shalt find him: but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

1 Chronicles 29:5,9,14 And gold for wheresoever there is need of gold: and silver for wheresoever there is need of silver, for the works to be made by the hands of the artificers: now if any man is willing to offer, let him fill his hand to day, and offer what he pleaseth to the Lord. . . .

Nehemiah 11:2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.

2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the will be forward, it is accepted according to that which a man hath: not according to that which he hath not.

Philemon 1:14 But without thy counsel I would do nothing: that thy good deed might not be as it were of necessity, but voluntary.

1 Peter 5:2-4 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake but voluntarily: . . .

have.

1 Corinthians 3:8,14 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 the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.

against.

Exodus 4:13,14 But he said: I beseech thee, Lord, send whom thou wilt send. . . .

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said: I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name: and there came in my heart as a burning fire, shut up in my bones, and I was wearied, not being able to bear it.

Ezekiel 3:14 The spirit also lifted me, and took me up: and I went away in bitterness in the indignation of my spirit: for the hand of the Lord was with me, strengthening me.

Jonah 1:3 Arise and go to Ninive, the great city, and preach in it: For the wickedness thereof is come up before me.

Jonah 4:1-3 And God saw their works, that they were turned from their evil way: and God had mercy with regard to the evil which he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not. . . .

Malachi 1:10 Who is there among you, that will shut the doors, and will kindle the fire on my altar gratis? I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts: and I will not receive a gift of your hand.

dispensation.

1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.

Matthew 24:25 Behold I have told it to you, beforehand.

Luke 12:42 And the Lord said: Who thinkest thou is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord setteth over his family, to give them their measure of wheat in due season?

Galatians 2:7 But contrariwise, when they had seen that to me was committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, as to Peter was that of the circumcision.

Ephesians 3:2-8 If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you: . . .

Philippians 1:17 And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.

Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfil the word of God:

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were approved by God that the gospel should be committed to us: even so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who proveth our hearts.

1 Timothy 1:11-13 Which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God which hath been committed to my trust. . . .

Context
The Rights of an Apostle
16For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity lieth upon me. For 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 is committed to me. 18What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.…
Cross References
John 4:36
And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life everlasting: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

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.

1 Corinthians 3:14
If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.

1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Galatians 2:7
But contrariwise, when they had seen that to me was committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, as to Peter was that of the circumcision.

Ephesians 3:2
If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:

Philippians 1:16
Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

Colossians 1:25
Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfil the word of God:

1 Corinthians 9:16
Top of Page
Top of Page