Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 9:17
If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers while defending his apostolic authority and right to financial support. He speaks immediately after declaring his compulsion to preach the gospel in the preceding verse.
The words — ἑκὼν (hekōn) means "willingly" or "voluntarily," and μισθὸν (misthon) means "a reward." The text states that a voluntary act yields a reward, while a compelled act still carries an entrusted responsibility.
The thread — The theme of entrusted preaching appears in Galatians 2:7, where Paul notes his commission to the uncircumcised parallels Peter's. The principle of labor-based reward is echoed in 1 Corinthians 3:8, and willing service is referenced in 1 Chronicles 28:9.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that ministry is fundamentally a duty regardless of personal desire. It asks the reader to separate the motivation for service from the obligation itself.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Galatians 2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
- 1 Corinthians 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Matthew 10:41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
- Colossians 1:25 I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
- 1 Chronicles 29:5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now who is willing to consecrate himself to the LORD today?”
- 1 Chronicles 29:9 And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.
- Nehemiah 11:2 And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
- Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”
- Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.