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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Corinthians 9:15–18.
Here he tells them that he had, notwithstanding, waived his privilege, and lays down his reason for doing it.
I.He tells them that he had neglected to claim his right in times past:
I have used none of these things, Co1 9:15. He neither ate nor drank himself at their cost, nor led about a wife to be maintained by them, nor forbore working to maintain himself. From others he received a maintenance, but not from them, for some special reasons. Nor did he write this to make his claim now. Though he here asserts his right, yet he does not claim his due; but denies himself for their sakes, and the gospel.
II.We have the reason assigned of his exercising this self-denial.
He would not have his glorying made void: It were better for his to die than that any man should make his glorying void, Co1 9:15. This glorying did imply nothing in it of boasting, or self-conceit, or catching at applause, but a high degree of satisfaction and comfort. It was a singular pleasure to him to preach the gospel without making it burdensome; and he was resolved that among them he would not lose this satisfaction. His advantages for promoting the gospel were his glory, and he valued them above his rights, or his very life: Better were it for him to die than to have his glorying made void, than to have it justly said that he preferred his wages to his work. No, he was ready to deny himself for the sake of the gospel. Note, It is the glory of a minister to prefer the success of his ministry to his interest, and deny himself, that he may serve Christ, and save souls. Not that in so doing he does more than he ought; he is still acting within the bounds of the law of charity. But he acts upon truly noble principles, he brings much honour to God in so doing; and those that honour him he will honour. It is what God will approve and commend, what a man may value himself for and take comfort in, though he cannot make a merit of it before God.
III.He shows that this self-denial was more honourable in itself, and yielded him much more content and comfort, than his preaching did:
"Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing whereof to glory; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel, Co1 9:16. It is my charge, my business; it is the work for which I am constituted an apostle, Co1 1:17. This is a duty expressly bound upon me. It is not in any degree a matter of liberty. Necessity is upon me. I am false and unfaithful to my trust, I break a plain and express command, and woe be to me, if I do not preach the gospel." Those who are set apart to the office of the ministry have it in charge to preach the gospel. Woe be to them if they do not. From this none is excepted. But it is not given in charge to all, nor any preacher of the gospel, to do his work gratis, to preach and have no maintenance out of it. It is not said, "Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel, and yet maintain himself." In this point he is more at liberty. It may be his duty to preach at some seasons, and under some circumstances, without receiving a maintenance for it; but he has, in the general, a right to it, and may expect it from those among whom he labours. When he renounces this right for the sake of the gospel and the souls of men, though he does not supererogate, yet he denies himself, waives his privilege and right; he does more than his charge and office in general, and at all times, obliges him to. Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel; but it may sometimes be his duty to insist on his maintenance for so doing, and whenever he forbears to claim it he parts with his right, though a man may sometimes be bound to do so by the general duties of love to God and charity to men. Note, It is a high attainment in religion to renounce our own rights for the good of others; this will entitle to a peculiar reward from God. For,
IV.The apostle here informs us that doing our duty with a willing mind will meet with a gracious recompence from God:
If I do this thing, that is, either preach the gospel or take no maintenance, willingly, I have a reward. Indeed, it is willing service only that is capable of reward from God. It is not the bare doing of any duty, but the doing of it heartily (that is, willingly and cheerfully) that God has promised to reward. Leave the heart out of our duties, and God abhors them: they are but the carcasses, without the life and spirit, of religion. Those must preach willingly who would be accepted of God in this duty. They must make their business a pleasure, and not esteem it a drudgery. And those who, out of regard to the honour of God or good of souls, give up their claim to a maintenance, should do this duty willingly, if they would be accepted in it or rewarded for it. But whether the duty of the office be done willingly or with reluctance, whether the heart be in it or averse from it, all in office have a trust and charge from God, for which they must be accountable. Ministers have a dispensation of the gospel, or stewardship - oikonomia (Luk 16:2), committed to them. Note, Christ's willing servants shall not fail of a recompence, and that proportioned to their fidelity, zeal, and diligence; and his slothful and unwilling servants shall all be called to an account. Taking his name, and professing to do his business, will make men accountable at his bar. And how sad an account have slothful servants to give!
V.The apostle sums up the argument, by laying before them the encouraging hope he had of a large recompence for his remarkable self-denial:
What is my reward then? Co1 9:18. What is it I expect a recompence from God for? That when I preach the gospel I may make it without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Or, "not so to claim my rights as to make them destroy the great intentions and ends of my office, but renounce them for the sake of these." It is an abuse of power to employ it against the very ends for which it is given. And the apostle would never use his power, or privilege of being maintained by his ministry, so as to frustrate the ends of it, but would willingly and cheerfully deny himself for the honour of Christ and the interest of souls. That ministers who follows his example may have cheerful expectations of a full recompence.
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
3 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
And so there is incumbent on us a necessity binding us, since we have premised that a new law was predicted by the prophets, and that not such as had been already given to their fathers at the time when He led them forth from the land of Egypt, to show and prove, on the one hand, that that old Law has ceased, and on the other, that the promised new law is now in operation.
The servant sent by the Lord does what he has to do even if he is not willing, because if he does not do it he will suffer for it. Moses preached to Pharaoh even though he did not want to, and Jonah was forced to preach to the Ninevites.8.
"For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the Gospel."
What sayest thou? tell me. "If thou preach the Gospel, it is nothing for thee to glory of, but it is, if thou make the Gospel of Christ without charge?" Is this therefore greater than that? By no means; but in another point of view it hath some advantage, inasmuch as the one is a command, but the other is a good deed of my own free-will: for what things are done beyond the commandment, have a great reward in this respect: but such as are in pursuance of a commandment, not so great: and so in this respect he says, the one is more than the other; not in the very nature of the thing. For what is equal to preaching; since it maketh men vie even with the angels themselves. Nevertheless since the one is a commandment and a debt, the other a forwardness of free-will, in this respect this is more than that. Wherefore he saith, explaining the same, what I just now mentioned:
"For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward, but if not of mine own will, a stewardship is entrusted to me;" taking the words of mine own "will" and "not of mine own will," of its being committed or not committed to him. And thus we must understand the expression, "for necessity is laid upon me;" not as though he did aught of these things against his will, God forbid, but as though he were bound by the things commanded, and for contradistinction to the liberty in receiving before mentioned. Wherefore also Christ said to the disciples, "When ye have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants; for we have done that which was our duty to do."
"What then is my reward? That when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel without charge." What then, tell me, hath Peter no reward? Nay, who can ever have so great an one as he? And what shall we say of the other Apostles? How then said he, "If I do this of mine own will I have a reward, but if not of mine own will, a stewardship is entrusted to me?" Seest thou here also his wisdom? For he said not, "But if not of mine own will," I have no reward, but, "a stewardship is committed unto me:" implying that even thus he hath a reward, but such as he obtains who hath performed what was commanded, not such as belongs to him who hath of his own resources been generous and exceeded the commandment.
"What then is the reward? That, when I preach the Gospel," saith he, "I may make the Gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the Gospel." See how throughout he uses the term "right," intimating this, as I have often observed; that neither are they who receive worthy of blame. But he added, "in the Gospel," partly to show the reasonableness of it, partly also to forbid our carrying the matter out into every case. For the teacher ought to receive, but not the mere drone also.
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Summary
The Apostle Paul's profound sense of divine obligation and spiritual urgency regarding his ministry of the Gospel encapsulates his tireless proclamation. It reveals that his preaching was not a matter of personal ambition, a source of self-glory, or a voluntary choice, but an inescapable divine mandate. For Paul, the preaching of the Good News was an essential, non-negotiable aspect of his calling, so much so that to neglect it would invite severe spiritual consequences.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul defends his apostolic authority and his right to receive financial support from the churches he served. He argues that despite having these legitimate rights, he voluntarily chose to forgo them, and many other personal freedoms, to avoid placing any obstacle in the way of the Gospel's advance. Verse 16 serves as the foundational explanation for this radical self-denial: his preaching is not a matter of personal gain or pride, but a divine compulsion. He is not doing the Corinthians a favor by preaching; he is fulfilling a sacred trust, which then empowers him to waive other rights for the sake of greater Gospel effectiveness, as elaborated in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Corinthian church was plagued by internal divisions, spiritual immaturity, and a tendency to prioritize human wisdom and status over divine truth. In this environment, Paul's defense of his apostleship was crucial. Unlike many itinerant philosophers or religious teachers of his day who charged fees for their instruction and sought personal renown, Paul deliberately chose a path of self-sacrifice. This counter-cultural stance, driven by his unique calling, underscored the authenticity and divine origin of his message. His willingness to work with his own hands (Acts 18:3) rather than demand support would have been a stark contrast to the prevailing norms, lending credibility to his claim of divine compulsion.
Key Themes
1 Corinthians 9:16 powerfully articulates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of divine calling and compulsion, emphasizing that Paul's ministry was not a human initiative but a divine imperative, echoing his initial commission in Acts 9:15. Secondly, it underscores humility in service, as Paul explicitly states he has "nothing to glory of," attributing any success to God rather than himself. Thirdly, the verse brings to the forefront the urgency and gravity of the Gospel message, conveyed through the stark warning of "woe." This reflects the eternal stakes involved in both the proclamation and reception of the Good News, a theme consistent with the broader New Testament emphasis on evangelism and discipleship.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize." It signifies the act of proclaiming the salvific message of Jesus Christ. Paul's use of this term here emphasizes that his primary duty and passion were centered on the declaration of this specific, life-transforming message, not on personal gain or philosophical discourse.
This noun conveys a strong sense of compulsion, constraint, or unavoidable obligation. It implies an external, binding force or an inescapable destiny. For Paul, this "necessity" was not a human pressure but a divine imperative, a profound inner conviction and spiritual burden laid upon him by God, making his preaching an absolute requirement rather than an option.
This is a primary exclamation of grief, pain, or a prophetic denunciation. In biblical contexts, "woe" often announces impending judgment or severe consequences for failing to heed a divine warning or fulfill a sacred trust. Paul's use of "woe" here underscores the dire spiritual repercussions he anticipated if he were to neglect his God-given commission to preach the Gospel.
Verse Breakdown
"For though I preach the gospel,"
Paul acknowledges the act of preaching the gospel as a fundamental part of his life and ministry. The "though" (G1437, eán) introduces a concessive clause, setting up a contrast with what follows. He is indeed preaching, but his motivation and the nature of his boasting are not what one might expect.
"I have nothing to glory of:"
This clause reveals Paul's profound humility and his understanding of the source of his ministry. He sees his preaching not as a personal achievement or a reason for self-congratulation, but as a divinely imposed duty. Any "glory" (G2745, kaúchēma) belongs to God, not to himself, for enabling him to fulfill this calling.
"for necessity is laid upon me;"
This is the core reason for Paul's lack of boasting and the driving force behind his ministry. The "necessity" (G318, anánkē) is a divine compulsion, an overwhelming sense of obligation that God has placed upon him. It is not a choice but a binding mandate, a sacred trust from the Lord.
"yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"
This powerful exclamation underscores the gravity of Paul's calling. The "woe" (G3759, ouaí) signifies a severe spiritual consequence or divine displeasure if he were to neglect his God-given mission. It highlights the immense importance and urgency Paul attached to the proclamation of the Gospel, viewing dereliction of this duty as a profound spiritual failure.
Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey the weight and urgency of his message in 1 Corinthians 9:16. The most prominent is Hyperbole, particularly in the phrase "woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" While not necessarily a literal curse, it dramatically emphasizes the extreme spiritual and personal consequences Paul perceives for failing in his divine commission, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of his calling. There is also an element of Paradox in his statement, "though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of." One might expect a successful evangelist to take pride in his work, but Paul paradoxically denies himself this natural human inclination, highlighting that his motivation transcends personal accolades. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates Paul's Apostolic Ethos, as he leverages his personal conviction and experience to establish the authenticity and divine origin of his ministry, thereby strengthening his argument for self-denial in the preceding and subsequent verses of 1 Corinthians 9.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Corinthians 9:16 is a profound theological statement about the nature of divine calling and stewardship. It reveals that true ministry, particularly the proclamation of the Gospel, stems not from human ambition or a desire for personal glory, but from a deep, internal, and often overwhelming sense of divine compulsion. Paul's "necessity" is a theological truth that resonates with the concept of being a steward of God's mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1-2), where faithfulness is the paramount requirement. This verse challenges believers to examine their own motivations for service, reminding them that the privilege of participating in God's redemptive work should evoke humility and a sense of sacred obligation, rather than self-congratulation. It also underscores the inherent urgency of the Gospel message, implying that its proclamation is not optional but vital for the eternal destiny of humanity.
Reflection and Application
Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:16 offers profound insights for every believer today, regardless of their specific calling. While not all are apostles or vocational evangelists, every Christian receives a divine commission to bear witness to Christ in their sphere of influence. This verse challenges us to consider the underlying motivation for our service: Is it for personal recognition, or from a deep-seated conviction of divine necessity? Paul's "necessity" reminds us that our participation in God's kingdom work is not merely a hobby or an optional activity, but a sacred trust. It calls us to cultivate a humble spirit, recognizing that any good we accomplish is by God's grace and for His glory, leaving no room for personal boasting. Furthermore, the "woe" Paul speaks of should ignite within us a renewed sense of urgency for sharing the Gospel, not out of fear, but out of a profound understanding of its eternal significance for a world in desperate need of Christ. Our lives, words, and actions should reflect the compelling truth of the Good News, lived out with intentionality and self-sacrifice for the sake of others.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "necessity is laid upon me"?
When Paul states that "necessity is laid upon me," he is conveying a profound sense of divine compulsion and inescapable obligation. This "necessity" (Greek: anánkē) is not a human pressure or a personal preference, but a binding mandate from God Himself. It refers to the overwhelming inner conviction and spiritual burden that God placed upon him to preach the Gospel, a calling so powerful that he felt he had no choice but to obey. It reflects his understanding that his apostolic ministry was a divine appointment, not a career choice, echoing his dramatic conversion and commissioning on the road to Damascus as described in Acts 9.
Why does Paul say he has "nothing to glory of"?
Paul's statement, "I have nothing to glory of," highlights his profound humility and his clear understanding that his ability to preach the Gospel is a divine gift and a sacred trust, not a personal achievement. He recognizes that any success in his ministry comes from God's power and grace, not from his own inherent abilities or efforts. To "glory" (Greek: kaúchēma) would imply taking personal credit or pride, which would be inappropriate given that his preaching is a divinely imposed "necessity." This aligns with his broader theological emphasis that all boasting should be in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31).
What is the significance of "woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"?
The exclamation "woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" is a powerful expression of the severe spiritual consequences Paul anticipated if he were to neglect his divine commission. The term "woe" (Greek: ouaí) is a strong interjection often used in the Bible to denote grief, pain, or a prophetic denunciation of impending judgment. For Paul, this was not merely regret or disappointment, but a profound spiritual burden indicating the dire repercussions of failing to fulfill a sacred trust. It underscores the immense importance and urgency he placed on the Gospel message, recognizing the eternal stakes involved for both the messenger and the hearers. It demonstrates his unyielding commitment to his calling, driven by a deep sense of accountability to God for the stewardship entrusted to him (Colossians 1:25).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Paul's profound sense of "necessity" and the "woe" he anticipates if he fails to preach the Gospel find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself lived under a divine compulsion to fulfill His Father's will, declaring, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). The very Gospel Paul preached is the good news of Christ, who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Christ's entire earthly ministry, culminating in His atoning death and resurrection, was an act of ultimate obedience to a divine necessity, a mission from which He could not deviate, even facing the "woe" of the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). He felt compassion for the crowds, seeing them as sheep without a shepherd, and urged His disciples to pray for laborers for the harvest (Matthew 9:35-38). Thus, Paul's compulsion to preach the Gospel is not merely a personal burden but a participation in Christ's own divine mission, a continuation of the very work the Father sent the Son to accomplish. The "woe" for not preaching the Gospel is ultimately a reflection of the eternal "woe" that would befall humanity if Christ had not fulfilled His mission to bring the Good News of salvation.