1 Corinthians 9:15–22

¹⁵I haven’t used any of these rights, and I haven’t written this in order to use them now. I would rather die than have anyone turn my bragging into meaningless words. ¹⁶If I spread the Good News, I have nothing to brag about because I have an obligation to do this. How horrible it will be for me if I don’t spread the Good News! ¹⁷If I spread the Good News willingly, I’ll have a reward. But if I spread the Good News unwillingly, I’m ⸤only⸥ doing what I’ve been entrusted to do. 

¹⁸So what is my reward? It is to spread the Good News free of charge. In that way I won’t use the rights that belong to those who spread the Good News. 

Paul’s Work as an Apostle

¹⁹Although I’m free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them. ²⁰I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to Moses’ Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I’m not subject to Moses’ Teachings. ²¹I became like a person who does not have Moses’ Teachings for those who don’t have those teachings. I did this to win them even though I have God’s teachings. I’m really subject to Christ’s teachings. ²²I became like a person weak in faith to win those who are weak in faith. I have become everything to everyone in order to save at least some of them.