Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 9:23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while defending his apostolic practices and explaining his voluntary waiver of financial support. He states this immediately after describing his strategy of adapting to every demographic to win them to Christ.
The words — The Greek συγκοινωνὸς (sugkoinōnos) translates literally to "fellow partaker" or "sharer," denoting participation in the gospel's final outcome. The prepositional phrase διὰ τὸ εὐαγγέλιον (dia to euangelion) means "on account of the gospel," establishing the explicit motive for his conduct.
The thread — This pattern of enduring hardship for gospel advancement appears in 2 Timothy 2:10, where Paul endures all things so the elect may obtain salvation. It aligns with Mark 8:35, which frames losing one's life for the gospel as the necessary condition for ultimately saving it.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to measure their actions against the concrete goal of gospel advancement rather than personal convenience. It demands acceptance of temporary loss or adaptation as the direct path to participating in the gospel's final result.
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
And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 2:10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
- Mark 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.
- Galatians 2:5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
- Hebrews 3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.
- 1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And this fellowship of ours is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.
- 2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.
- Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.