1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 9 ©

1 Paul vindicateth his apostolical character, 3 and right to a maintenance from the churches; 15 though he relinquished that right for the furtherance of the gospel, not content with doing only his indispensable duty; 19 but voluntarily subjecting himself in many points, where he was otherwise free, in order thereby to win over more converts to Christ. 24 Those who contend for a corruptible crown use much labour and abstinence; 26 so doth the apostle strive for one that is incorruptible.

1

AM aI not an apostle? bam I not free? chave I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? dare not ye my work in the Lord?

2

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ethe seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

3

Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4

fHave we not power to eat and to drink?

5

gHave we not power to lead about ha sister, a 1wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and iCephas?

6

jOr I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

7

kWho 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?

8

Say I these things las a man? or saith not the law the same also?

l Ro. 3.5.
9

For it is written in the law of Moses, mThou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

10

nOr 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.

11

oIf we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

12

If others be partakers of this power over you, are pnot we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, qlest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

13

rDo ye not know that they which minister about holy things 2live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14

Even so shath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

15

tBut 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

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for unecessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

17

For if I do this thing willingly, vI have a reward: but if against my will, wa *dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

18

What is my reward then? x*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.

19

yFor though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

20

And zunto 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;

21

aTo them that are without law, as without law, (being bnot without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

22

cTo 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.

23

And this I do dfor the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

24

eKnow ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? fSo run, that ye may obtain.

25

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible gcrown; but we han incorruptible.

26

I therefore so run, not as iuncertainly; so fight I, not as one that jbeateth the air:

27

But kI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be la *castaway.