¹⁶For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing ^fto glory of: for ^gnecessity is laid upon me; ^hyea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! ¹⁷For if I do this thing willingly, I have ⁱa reward: but if against my will, ^ka dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

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Footnotes

f 2 Cor. 1:14 (Gk.). So 2 Cor. 11:10.
gSo Acts 9:6. See Rom. 1:14.
hComp. Job 10:15.
i John 4:36 (Gk.). ch. 3:8, 14.
k Eph. 3:2. Col. 1:25. See ch. 4:1. So Gal. 2:7. Phil. 1:17.

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a commission.

NLTNew Living Translation

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For if I proclaim the gospel, it is not to me a reason for boasting, for necessity is imposed on me. For woe is to me if I do not proclaim the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward, but if I do so unwillingly, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.