Day 31 in the Word: 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

About the passage

Trying to explain the preaching compulsion, Paul says he hasn’t and won’t charge them for his work. His payment is the satisfaction of being able to scratch the itch of sharing the Gospel. An addiction worth having. Are you more addicted to sharing or avoiding sharing the Gospel?

Rev. Gregory Dyson

Vice President for Spiritual Life and Intercultural Leadership | Campus Pastor

Day 31: 1 Corinthians 9: 15-18

¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. ¹⁶ 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! ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

Questions

What does the passage say? / What is happening in the text?

How does this impact me? / What is significant or noteworthy?

What does this mean in my life? / What does this mean to me?