1 Corinthians 9:16–18 All things through Christ

Bringing all things under God’s submission! To You Lord  who gave up Your life in exchange for ours, all glory belongs!! 

We share the salvation He offers to all who will listen with humbleness and gratitude for the truth that we have received.

We can do all things through Christ who strengths us!!

1 Corinthians 9:16–18

16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. The New King James Version

God set apart Paul to proclaim the gospel message. Therefore, he is compelled to preach it even in the face of opposition. Woe is me implies that if Paul does not preach the gospel, he will face an undesirable consequence. Paul draws on language from the prophet Jeremiah to express the serious nature of his calling. Faithlife Study Bible

By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

John 4:36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

Romans 1:14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.

1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 9:12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?