1 Corinthians 9:15–23

¹⁵But I have not used any of these rights.^t And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.^{u 16}For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^v Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^w if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^{x 18}What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^y and so not make full use of my rights^z as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹Though I am free^a and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^b to win as many as possible.^{c 20}To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^d To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^e so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^f (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^g so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^h I have become all things to all peopleⁱ so that by all possible means I might save some.^{j 23}I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.