1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? (Ac 9:3; Ac 9:17; Ac 14:14; Ac 18:9; Ac 22:14; Ac 22:18; Ac 23:11; 1Co 3:6; 1Co 9:19; 1Co 15:8; 2Co 10:7; 2Co 12:12; 1Th 2:6; Re 2:2)2If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. (2Co 3:2)3This is my defense to those who would examine me.4Do we not have the right to eat and drink? (1Co 9:14; 1Th 2:6; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8)5Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife,[1] as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? (Mt 8:14; Mt 12:46; Joh 1:42; 1Co 7:7)6Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? (De 20:6; Pr 27:18; So 8:12; 1Co 3:6; 2Co 10:4; 1Ti 1:18; 2Ti 2:3)8Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? (De 25:4; 1Ti 5:18)10Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. (Ro 4:24; 2Ti 2:6)11If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? (Ro 15:27; Ga 6:6)12If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. (Ac 20:33; 1Co 9:15; 1Co 9:18; 2Co 6:3; 2Co 11:12)13Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? (Le 6:16; Le 6:26; Le 7:6; Nu 5:9; Nu 18:8; De 18:1)14In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. (Mt 10:10; 1Co 9:4)15But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. (Ac 18:3; 2Co 11:10)16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (Ac 4:20; Ac 9:6; Ro 1:14)17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. (1Co 4:1; Ga 2:7; Php 1:16)18What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. (2Co 11:7; 2Co 12:13)19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (Mt 18:15; 1Co 9:1; 1Co 10:29; Ga 5:13; 1Pe 3:1)20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. (Ac 16:3; Ac 21:23)21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. (Ro 2:12; Ro 2:14; 1Co 7:22; Ga 2:3; Ga 3:2)22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. (Ro 11:14; 1Co 7:16; 1Co 10:33; 2Co 11:29)23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1Co 10:24)24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (Ga 2:2; Ga 5:7; Php 2:16; Php 3:14; Col 2:18; 2Ti 4:7; Heb 12:1)25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 2:5; 2Ti 4:7; Jas 1:12; Jud 1:3)26So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. (1Co 14:9; Heb 12:4)27But I discipline my body and keep it under control,[2] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (So 1:6; Jer 6:30; Ro 1:28; Ro 6:19; Heb 6:8)
1 Corinthians 9
New International Version
Paul’s rights as an apostle
1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?2Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.3This is my defence to those who sit in judgment on me.4Don’t we have the right to food and drink?5Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas[1]?6Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?7Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk?8Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing?9For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? (De 25:4)10Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever ploughs and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?12If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.13Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?14In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.16For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
Paul’s use of his freedom
19Though I am free and belong to no-one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
The need for self-discipline
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.26Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.27No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9
King James Version
1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,4Have we not power to eat and to drink?5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?7Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.16For 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!17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.18What 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.19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;21To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.23And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9
New International Reader’s Version
Paul’s rights as an apostle
1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord?2Others may not think of me as an apostle. But I am certainly one to you! You are the proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.3That is what I say to stand up for myself when people judge me.4Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?5Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife with us when we travel? The other apostles do. The Lord’s brothers do. Peter does.6Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who must do other work for a living? Are we the only ones who can’t do only the work of apostles all the time?7Who serves as a soldier but doesn’t get paid? Who plants a vineyard but doesn’t eat any of its grapes? Who takes care of a flock but doesn’t drink any of the milk?8Do I say this only on human authority? The Law says the same thing.9Here is what is written in the Law of Moses. ‘Do not stop an ox from eating while it helps separate the corn from the straw.’ Is it oxen that God is concerned about? (De 25:4)10Doesn’t he say that for us? Yes, it was written for us. Whoever ploughs and separates the corn hopes to share the harvest. And it is right for them to hope for this.11We have planted spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask that we receive from you some things we need?12Others have the right to receive help from you. Don’t we have even more right to do so? But we didn’t use that right. No, we have put up with everything. We didn’t want to keep the good news of Christ from spreading.13People who serve in the temple get their food from the temple. Don’t you know this? People who serve at the altar eat from what is offered on the altar. Don’t you know this?14So those who preach the good news should also receive their living from their work. That is what the Lord has commanded.15But I haven’t used any of those rights. And I’m not writing because I hope you will do things like that for me. I would rather die than allow anyone to take away my pride in my work.16But when I preach the good news, I can’t boast. I have to preach it. How terrible it will be for me if I do not preach the good news!17If I preach because I want to, I get a reward. If I preach because I have to, I’m only doing my duty.18Then what reward do I get? Here is what it is. I am able to preach the good news free of charge. And I can do this without using all my rights as a person who preaches the good news.
Paul uses his freedom to share the good news
19I am free and don’t belong to anyone. But I have made myself a slave to everyone. I do it to win as many as I can to Christ.20To the Jews I became like a Jew. That was to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one who was under the law. I did this even though I myself am not under the law. That was to win those under the law.21To those who don’t have the law I became like one who doesn’t have the law. I did this even though I am not free from God’s law. I am under Christ’s law. Now I can win those who don’t have the law.22To those who are weak I became weak. That was to win the weak. I have become all things to all people. I have done this so that in all possible ways I might save some.23I do all this because of the good news. And I want to share in its blessings.
Training to win the prize
24In a race all the runners run. But only one gets the prize. You know that, don’t you? So run in a way that will get you the prize.25All who take part in the games train hard. They do it to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.26So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run towards the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air.27No, I train my body and bring it under control. Then after I have preached to others, I myself will not break the rules. If I did break them, I would fail to win the prize.