1 Corinthians 9:16-27 ▼

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach —and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a commission.

18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

19 Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people.

20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law —to win those under the law.

21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law.

22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.

23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.

25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown.

26 So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.

27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.