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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
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"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
In 1 Corinthians 9:18, the Apostle Paul articulates his profound and counter-cultural understanding of his "reward" in ministry. Far from seeking financial remuneration or personal gain, Paul declares that his deepest satisfaction and true recompense come from the privilege of preaching the gospel of Christ without charge, thereby ensuring that his apostolic authority is never misused or becomes a stumbling block to the very message he proclaims.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the powerful culmination of Paul's extensive defense of his apostolic rights and, paradoxically, his deliberate choice to forego them. In the preceding verses of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul meticulously argues for the legitimacy of apostles, prophets, and ministers to receive financial support, citing Old Testament law, the example of temple priests, and even the Lord's own command (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:14). However, from 1 Corinthians 9:15 onward, he emphatically states his personal decision not to exercise this right. His refusal is not out of necessity, but a strategic and selfless act to remove any potential barrier to the gospel's reception. Verse 18 distills this motivation, revealing that his true "reward" is the unhindered proclamation of the message, leading directly into his principle of becoming "all things to all people" in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Corinthian church was situated in a bustling, commercially driven port city, a melting pot of various philosophical schools and religious cults. In this environment, it was common for traveling teachers, sophists, and religious leaders to charge fees for their instruction, often correlating the quality of their teaching with the price demanded. This practice could easily lead to accusations of greed or exploitation, particularly against those who claimed divine authority. Paul's stance of preaching "without charge" directly countered these cultural norms, distinguishing him from the charlatans and self-serving orators of his day. His refusal of payment was a powerful demonstration of his integrity and the intrinsic, invaluable nature of the gospel, preventing the Corinthians from perceiving him as just another mercenary teacher.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to Paul's theology and ministry. It highlights Selfless Service, demonstrating that true ministry prioritizes the spiritual well-being of others and the advance of God's kingdom over personal comfort or financial gain, echoing the example of Christ's self-emptying as seen in Philippians 2:5-8. It underscores Integrity in Ministry, as Paul's gratuitous preaching ensures his motives are pure and beyond reproach, protecting the reputation and effectiveness of the gospel message itself. Furthermore, it addresses the theme of Avoiding Abuse of Power, as Paul consciously restrains his legitimate apostolic authority to prevent it from becoming a stumbling block or being exploited for personal benefit. This reflects a deep commitment to ethical leadership and the principle of not causing others to stumble, a theme Paul explores further in 1 Corinthians 8. Finally, it implicitly magnifies The Gospel's Intrinsic Value, asserting that the good news of Christ is priceless and transcends any earthly transaction or commodification.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad; hire, reward, wages." In this context, Paul redefines what constitutes his "pay" or "wages." While he has a right to material support, he considers his true reward to be something far more profound and spiritual: the unhindered opportunity to serve. This is a deliberate reorientation of worldly values.
Derived from a negative particle and "expense," meaning "costless, i.e. gratuitous; without expense." This word emphatically highlights Paul's commitment to offering the gospel freely, without imposing any financial burden or expectation of payment on those to whom he ministers. It underscores the freeness of God's grace.
Meaning "to overuse, i.e. misuse." This term carries a strong negative connotation here, indicating Paul's deep concern about exploiting or taking undue advantage of his legitimate "power" or authority. It's not merely about using power, but about the potential for its perversion for selfish ends.
Verse Breakdown
"What is my reward then?"
Paul opens with a rhetorical question, inviting the Corinthians to consider what he truly values as his recompense. Having established his right to material support, he now reveals his spiritual priority, setting up a contrast between worldly gain and spiritual fulfillment.
"[Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge"
This clause provides Paul's answer. His true "reward" or "wages" is the privilege of proclaiming the good news of Christ in such a way that it incurs no financial cost to the recipients. The phrase "make the gospel of Christ without charge" (G5087 títhēmi G2098 euangélion G5547 Christós G77 adápanos) signifies his deliberate action to present the gospel as a free gift, unburdened by financial expectations.
"that I abuse not my power in the gospel."
This final clause explains the purpose and motivation behind his action. The Greek "hína" (G2443) indicates purpose or result: in order that he might not misuse or exploit his "power" (G1849 exousía, authority/right) which he possesses "in the gospel" (G1722 en G2098 euangélion). His self-imposed restraint is a safeguard against bringing discredit to the gospel by appearing self-serving or manipulative.
Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey his profound message. The opening Rhetorical Question ("What is my reward then?") immediately draws the reader into Paul's internal reasoning, prompting reflection on the nature of true reward. There is a powerful Paradox at play: Paul, an apostle with legitimate rights, finds his greatest "reward" not in exercising those rights for personal gain, but in relinquishing them for the sake of others and the gospel's advance. This creates a striking Antithesis between worldly expectations of compensation and Paul's spiritual priorities. Furthermore, the verse uses Emphasis through repetition of "the gospel" (G2098 euangélion), highlighting its central importance as both the subject of his preaching and the sphere of his authority. The phrase "abuse not my power" also serves as a strong Warning, not just for himself but for all who hold positions of influence, underscoring the ethical responsibility that accompanies authority.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 9:18 profoundly shapes our understanding of Christian ministry and stewardship. It elevates the intrinsic value of the gospel above any earthly compensation, asserting that its proclamation should be driven by selfless love and devotion to Christ, not by personal gain. This passage challenges believers, especially those in leadership, to examine their motives for service, ensuring that their actions always commend the gospel and never become a stumbling block. It underscores the principle that true spiritual authority is best exercised through humility and sacrifice, mirroring the ultimate example of Christ who, though having all power, chose to empty Himself for the sake of humanity.
Reflection and Application
1 Corinthians 9:18 provides a powerful and enduring model for all believers, particularly those engaged in any form of Christian service. It compels us to critically examine our motivations: are we serving God and others out of genuine love for Christ and the desire for the gospel's advance, or are there hidden desires for personal recognition, financial security, or worldly influence? Paul's willingness to forgo legitimate rights for the sake of the gospel challenges us to consider what sacrifices we might be called to make to ensure the unhindered spread of the Good News. This verse serves as a vital reminder that the integrity of our witness is paramount, and that any perceived or actual self-interest can undermine the very message we seek to share. Ultimately, it calls us to prize the spiritual reward of effective gospel proclamation above all earthly comforts and accolades.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Paul refuse financial support when he clearly stated that ministers had a right to it?
Paul's refusal of financial support, despite affirming his legitimate right to it (as detailed in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14), was a strategic and deeply spiritual choice. His primary motivation, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 9:18, was to "make the gospel of Christ without charge," thereby removing any potential barrier or accusation that he was preaching for personal gain. In a culture where many religious teachers charged fees, Paul's gratuitous ministry distinguished him and underscored the gospel's intrinsic, priceless value. It was an act of selfless love and a commitment to the integrity of his message, ensuring that his "power in the gospel" was never misused or exploited.
What does Paul mean by "abuse not my power in the gospel"?
When Paul speaks of not "abusing" (Greek, katachráomai) his "power" (Greek, exousía), he is referring to his legitimate apostolic authority and the rights that came with it, including the right to receive financial support. To "abuse" this power in this context would mean to exploit it for personal financial benefit, to become a burden to the believers, or to give the appearance of greed. Paul was deeply concerned that if he were to demand support, it might lead some to question his motives, perceive him as self-serving, or even reject the gospel message itself. His aim was to use his authority not for his own advantage, but to serve the gospel's free and unhindered proclamation, demonstrating selfless leadership as a pattern for all ministers (compare 1 Peter 5:2-3).
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Paul's profound statement in 1 Corinthians 9:18, where he redefines his "reward" as the privilege of proclaiming the gospel freely, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is the quintessential example of one who possessed ultimate "power" (all authority in heaven and on earth, as declared in Matthew 28:18), yet chose not to "abuse" it for personal gain or comfort. Instead, He "made the gospel without charge" in the most profound sense, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sin, a gift of salvation freely given and utterly undeserved (Romans 6:23). Jesus' entire earthly ministry was characterized by self-emptying, humility, and a relentless focus on the Father's will and the redemption of humanity, rather than His own comfort or earthly recognition (Philippians 2:5-8). Paul's willingness to forgo his rights and embrace self-sacrifice for the sake of the gospel is a direct outworking and imitation of the Christ-like pattern, demonstrating that true spiritual leadership is always cruciform, reflecting the Lamb of God who gave Himself freely for the world (John 1:29).