Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

William Burkitt's Expository Notes

1 Corinthians 9:16

That which the apostle glories in, is not his bare preaching of the gospel, but his preaching of it freely and without maintenance: "For, says he, though. preach the gospel, that has nothing singular in it, others do it as well as myself, and. am bound to do it as well as others; for necessity is laid upon me, by special call and command from Christ, so to do; yea, woe is unto me for my disobedience to Christ in the heavenly vision, Acts 26:12-18 if. preach not the gospel.

Now if. do this thing willingly, that is, freely, without demanding any thing of you for my pains, which. might do, I have. reward: that is,. special reward from God, and may glory in it: but if. preach unwillingly, (demanding. maintenance for my pains, and refusing to preach without it,) all that can be said is this, that. dispensation of the gospel is committed to me; and so in preaching. only discharge. trust of which. cannot boast or glory."

The strength of the apostle's argument lies here: "No man can reasonably boast of, glory in, or expect an extraordinary reward for, the doing of that under. command from his superior to do, and that under. penalty too."

Now this was his case: necessity was laid upon him to preach the gospel, but no necessity but what he laid upon himself to preach it freely; therefore for him to do it without demanding any reward from them for doing it, this made it matter of glorying to him, which he declares he had rather die than any should take from him.

But was it the apostle's own glory that he was thus fond of, and concerned for, that he had rather lose his life, than lose?

No, it was the glory of God, the honour of the gospel, that was so inexpressibly dear unto him: the great apostle did, upon pure principles of faith and love from his heart and soul, design the glory of God, pursuant to which he did cheerfully and willingly apply himself to the preaching of the gospel, waiting upon God for his acceptance and reward, without expecting any wages (as he might) from them his Corinthian converts; and this was the matter of his boasting and glorying in the face of the false apostles, who insinuated that he preached the gospel for filthy lucre' sake.

Continues after advertising

See also 1 Corinthians 9:16 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 1 Corinthians 9:16. _FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL_] I have cause of glorying that I preach the Gospel free of all charges to you; but I cannot _glory_ in being a preacher of the Gospel, becau...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL ... - This, with the two following verses, is a very difficult passage, and has been very variously understood by interpreters. The general scope and purpose of the pass...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    6. PAUL'S GRACIOUS EXAMPLE. CHAPTER 9 _ 1. The Apostle's rights. (1 Corinthians 9:1)._ 2. He waives his rights for the Gospel's sake. (1 Corinthians 9:15). 3. The race-course and the crown. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    1 CORINTHIANS 9. This chapter is not a digression, and is not primarily concerned with a vindication of Paul's apostolic status and rights. He enforces his plea that the enlightened should not ride ro...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    But I have claimed none of these rights. I am not writing this to claim that these privileges should be extended to me. I would rather die than let anyone make ineffective my boast that I take nothing...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE UNCLAIMED PRIVILEGES (1 Corinthians 9:1-14)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THOUGH. if. App-118. PREACH THE GOSPEL. App-121. NOTHING TO GLORY OF. no (Greek. _ou)_ (cause of) boasting (as in 1 Corinthians 9:15). NECESSITY. Gr _. ananke._ Compare 1 Corinthians 7:37. IS LAID....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    St Paul's use of his Christian liberty is restrained by the thought of the needs of others 15. _But I have used none of these things_ Having disposed of the objections against his claims to Apostleshi...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _necessity is laid upon me_ See Acts 9:6; Acts 22:21....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΕΥ̓ΑΓΓΕΛΊΖΩΜΑΙ 2nd time אA. εὐαγγελίσωμαι is marked doubtful by Westcott and Hort, read by Lachmann and Tregelles on the authority of BCDEFG Vulg. The MSS. of the Vetus Lat. differ. 16. ἈΝΆΓΚΗ ΓΆΡ ΜΟ...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ST PAUL’S USE OF HIS CHRISTIAN LIBERTY IS RESTRAINED BY THE THOUGHT OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _PAUL WAS A SERVANT OF ALL 1 CORINTHIANS 9:15-23:_ Paul had many rights that he willingly gave up in order to preach the gospel and to win lost souls. He wrote, "But I have used none of these things:...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΕΎΑΓΓΕΛΊΖΩΜΑΙ _praes. conj. med. (dep.) от_ ΕΎΑΓΓΕΛΊΖΟΜΑΙ (G2097) провозглашать благую весть, проповедовать евангелие (TDNT; NIDNTT, 1:107-15; EDNT; TLNT; MNTW, 41f). _Conj._ с ΈΆΝ (G1437) в _conj._ 3...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1965 PREACHING THE GOSPEL 1 Corinthians 9:16. _Woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!_ RESPECTING men’s call to the ministerial office, it would be difficult to speak with any degree...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 2 Relinquishment of Rights (1 Corinthians 9:15-18) 15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this to secure any such provision. For I would rather...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Text_ 1 Corinthians 9:12-18. Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they tha...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    For 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! THOUGH I (IF I SIMPLY) PREACH ... I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 The Corinthians questioned the apostleship of Paul. The phrase, "the twelve apostles" has been used to throw doubt on his commission, for if there were but twelve apostles, Paul could not have been...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    _(b) Food offered to Idols (ii) St. Paul's own Example_ St. Paul has appealed to the 'enlightened' converts at Corinth to give up for the sake of others a practice which they might otherwise have had...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    SERVANTS OF CHRIST 1 CORINTHIANS _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 9 THE RIGHTS OF AN *APOSTLE 9:1-27 PAUL IS A REAL *APOSTLE 9:1-2 V1 You know that I am free. You know that I am an *apostle. I have seen...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF. — Better, _For though I preach the gospel, I have no ground of boasting._ St. Paul proceeds now to show how his maintenance by the Church wo...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 13 MAINTENANCE OF THE MINISTRY IN the preceding chapter Paul has disposed of the question put to him regarding meats offered in sacrifice to idols. He has taken occasion to point out that in...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Paul goes on to explain, by two contrasted suppositions (in _actual_ and _conceivable_ matter), that this is a point of honour with him. Forced as he had been into the service of the Gospel, in a mann...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The fact of his preaching supplies in itself no καύχημα : “For if I be preaching the good news (εὐαγγελίζωμαι), it is no (matter of) boasting to me; for necessity is imposed on me”. For ἀνάγκη, see no...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    § 29. PAUL'S RENOUNCEMENT OF RIGHT FOR THE GOSPEL'S SAKE. The Ap. has been insisting all this time on the right of Christ's ministers to material support from those they serve, in order that for his o...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “UNDER BONDAGE TO ALL” 1 Corinthians 9:16 Paul's one aim was to _gain men._ He uses the words repeatedly. To gain one more for his Lord, he would forego comfort, emolument, and well-earned repose. He...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The words, "my defence to them that examine me is this," reveal the opposition to him in Corinth. The two words, "defence" and "examine," are purely legal, and are in the language of the courts of jus...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Paul Sacrificed To Serve Paul was commanded to preach the gospel (Acts 26:16-20). As one who had obtained mercy, he had to proclaim mercy. He was not able to glory in simply being a faithful steward....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _It is no glory. That is, I have nothing to glory of. (Challoner) --- If I preach the gospel through compulsion, fear, or mere necessity, having no other means of maintenance, I must not look for a re...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    3. THE EXAMPLE OF ABNEGATION GIVEN BY PAUL. 9:1-22. IT is easy, from what we have just said, to understand the link which connects the following passage with the question treated by the apostle. It is...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “For though 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!” Many have taken the first proposition as a general maxim. P...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (15) But 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. (16...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    As usual, the introductory words (1 Corinthians 1:1-3) of the epistle give us no little intimation of that which is to follow. The apostle speaks of himself as such "called [to be] an apostle of Jesus...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    16._For if I preach the gospel. _To show how very important it was not to deprive himself of that ground of glorying, he intimates what would have happened, if he had simply discharged his ministry —...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The apostle was exposed to the accusations of false teachers, who asserted that he carried on his evangelisation and his labours from interested motives, and that he took the property of Christians, a...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF,.... The sense is not, that if he preached the Gospel in order for a livelihood, and to serve his private advantage, he should have no room f...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    For 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! Ver. 16. _I have nothing to glory of_] My glorying is, that...

  • Jonathan Edwards' Notes On The Scriptures

    1 Cor. 9:16. "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of." That is, in case I had a dependence upon preaching the gospel for a livelihood, then might it be said _that necessity is laid...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _But_ Though my right to a maintenance, as an apostle, be established by the precepts both of the law and of the gospel; _I have used none of those things_ During my abode among you, as you well know;...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    NOTHING TO GLORY OF; nothing from the fact of his preaching. NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; after the commission he had received from Christ, he could not, consistently with duty, refrain from preaching....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    FOR 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!...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    His boasting is not of his preaching:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    Because of the lowliness and grace on the part of the apostle, such as chapter 8 shows in the consideration of his brethren, there were some who would use this as an occasion to belittle him. He made...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    FOR IF. PREACH THE GOSPEL,. HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF; FOR NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME; FOR WOE IS UNTO ME, IF. PREACH NOT THE GOSPEL. 'I have nothing to glory of' -'Proclaiming the gospel gives me no...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    15-23 It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and offic...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    FOR THOUGH I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF; though I do preach the gospel, yet I have no reason at all to glory; all that I have to glory in is, that I have preached it freely (which y...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    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....

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Tertullian An Answer to the Jews And so there is incumbent on us a necessity[89]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    1 Corinthians 9:16 For G1063 if G1437 gospel G2097 (G5735) I G3427 have G2076 (G5748) nothing G3756 of...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    'For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of, for necessity is laid on me. For woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel.' But that is not to suggest that he has anything to glory of in doin...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL NOW POINTS OUT THAT HE REFUSES TO USE HIS FREEDOM IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE YOUNG CHRISTIANS TO BE LED ASTRAY. HIS NEXT EXAMPLE REFERS TO HIS NOT RECEIVING GIFTS FOR HIS MINISTRY AMONG THEM WHI...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    1 Corinthians 9:16. FOR IF I PREACH THE GOSPEL, I HAVE NOTHING TO GLORY OF. ‘To glory in preaching without charge is reasonable enough, but to boast of preaching the Gospel itself were shameful.' FO...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    It was impossible for Christians in almost any Greek or Roman colony, and least of all at Corinth, to avoid coming frequently in contact with idolatrous practices in various and ensnaring forms. In wr...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    FOR IF I PREACH (εαν γαρ ευαγγελιζωμα). Third class condition, supposable case. Same construction in verse 1 Corinthians 9:16 (εαν μη).FOR NECESSITY IS LAID UPON ME (αναγκη γαρ μο επικειτα). Old v...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    1 Corinthians 9:16 It is a ministry of necessity that Christ calls for, that the world needs, that a revived Church supplies today. We need not ministers that may or that will, but ministers that mus...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul vindicates his apostleship. The method and reward of true ministry and the support of the ministry. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Cephas, Barnabas, Moses. CONCLUSION: It is no new thing for...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    1 Corinthians 9:1. _Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?_ Having illustrated the legal customs of the jews respecting meats, he introduc...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    JUST BECAUSE I PREACH THE GOSPEL. Being a teacher gives Paul no right to boast about it. The false teacher boasted very much about himself, so Paul makes a strong statement that he is Christ's slave ...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _But I have used none of these things._ PAUL’S CONDUCT I. Does not establish a general rule. Because-- 1. He maintains his right. 2. Voluntarily concedes it. 3. Under particular circumstances. I...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Am I not an apostle?_ Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? SIGNS OF APOSTLESHIP Why should Paul, departing from his usual custom, speak here of himself and his claims? Undoubtedly...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 9 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He proceeds to show by his own example how offences are to be avoided, and he says that he had refused to accept payment, or the maintenance due to a preacher of...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel._ It appears from this that strict injunctions were given to the Apostles (S. Mat 28:19) to preach the Gospel and teach all nations, insomuch that, if they h...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ 1 Corinthians 9:15. USED.—As in 1 Corinthians 9:12. “Have not availed myself of my right, nor urged upon you the Law of Moses and the Lord Christ’s command.” For Paul’s sensitiveness...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1 The rights and the self denial of an apostle. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1 An apostle's right to maintenance....

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn in our Bibles to I Corinthians, chapter 9. I could do a lot of things I don't do. The reason why I don't do them is I do not want to be an offense unto a weaker brethren and destroy his...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Acts 26:16; Acts 4:20; Acts 9:15; Acts 9:6; Amos 3:8;...

Continues after advertising

Old Testament