1Cor.9.1
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
1Cor.9.1
And don't tell me that I have no authority to write like this. I'm perfectly free to do this--isn't that obvious? Haven't I been given a job to do? Wasn't I commissioned to this work in a face-to-face meeting with Jesus, our Master? Aren't you yourselves proof of the good work that I've done for the Master?
1Cor.9.1
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
1Cor.9.1
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
1Cor.9.1
Do I not have as much freedom as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn't it because of my hard work that you are in the Lord?
1Cor.9.2
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
1Cor.9.2
Even if no one else admits the authority of my commission, you can't deny it. Why, my work with you is living proof of my authority!
1Cor.9.2
Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1Cor.9.2
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1Cor.9.2
Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you, for you are living proof that I am the Lord's apostle.
1Cor.9.3
Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
1Cor.9.3
I'm not shy in standing up to my critics.
1Cor.9.3
This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me.
1Cor.9.3
My defense to those who examine me is this:
1Cor.9.3
This is my answer to those who question my authority as an apostle.
1Cor.9.4
Have we not power to eat and to drink?
1Cor.9.4
We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations,
1Cor.9.4
Don't we have the right to food and drink?
1Cor.9.4
Do we have no right to eat and drink?
1Cor.9.4
Don't we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?
1Cor.9.5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
1Cor.9.5
and we have a right to support for us and our families. You don't seem to have raised questions with the other apostles and our Master's brothers and Peter in these matters.
1Cor.9.5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
1Cor.9.5
Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
1Cor.9.5
Don't we have the right to bring a Christian wife along with us as the other disciples and the Lord's brothers and Peter do?
1Cor.9.6
Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
1Cor.9.6
So, why me? Is it just Barnabas and I who have to go it alone and pay our own way?
1Cor.9.6
Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
1Cor.9.6
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?
1Cor.9.6
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?
1Cor.9.7
Who 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?
1Cor.9.7
Are soldiers self-employed? Are gardeners forbidden to eat vegetables from their own gardens? Don't milkmaids get to drink their fill from the pail?
1Cor.9.7
Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk?
1Cor.9.7
Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?
1Cor.9.7
What soldier has to pay his own expenses? And have you ever heard of a farmer who harvests his crop and doesn't have the right to eat some of it? What shepherd takes care of a flock of sheep and isn't allowed to drink some of the milk?
1Cor.9.8
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
1Cor.9.8
I'm not just sounding off because I'm irritated. This is all written in the scriptural law.
1Cor.9.8
Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing?
1Cor.9.8
Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also?
1Cor.9.8
And this isn't merely human opinion. Doesn't God's law say the same thing?
1Cor.9.9
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1Cor.9.9
Moses wrote, "Don't muzzle an ox to keep it from eating the grain when it's threshing." Do you think Moses' primary concern was the care of farm animals?
1Cor.9.9
For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
1Cor.9.9
For it is written in the law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it oxen God is concerned about?
1Cor.9.9
For the law of Moses says, "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain." Do you suppose God was thinking only about oxen when he said this?
1Cor.9.10
Or 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.
1Cor.9.10
Don't you think his concern extends to us? Of course. Farmers plow and thresh expecting something when the crop comes in.
1Cor.9.10
Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.
1Cor.9.10
Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Cor.9.10
Wasn't he also speaking to us? Of course he was. Just as farm workers who plow fields and thresh the grain expect a share of the harvest, Christian workers should be paid by those they serve.
1Cor.9.11
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
1Cor.9.11
So if we have planted spiritual seed among you, is it out of line to expect a meal or two from you?
1Cor.9.11
If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
1Cor.9.11
If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things?
1Cor.9.11
We have planted good spiritual seed among you. Is it too much to ask, in return, for mere food and clothing?
1Cor.9.12
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
1Cor.9.12
Others demand plenty from you in these ways. Don't we who have never demanded deserve even more? But we're not going to start demanding now what we've always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ.
1Cor.9.12
If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?
1Cor.9.12
If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.
1Cor.9.12
If you support others who preach to you, shouldn't we have an even greater right to be supported? Yet we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News about Christ.
1Cor.9.13
Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
1Cor.9.13
All I'm concerned with right now is that you not use our decision to take advantage of others, depriving them of what is rightly theirs. You know, don't you, that it's always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed?
1Cor.9.13
But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
1Cor.9.13
Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?
1Cor.9.13
Don't you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.
1Cor.9.14
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
1Cor.9.14
Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message.
1Cor.9.14
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
1Cor.9.14
Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.
1Cor.9.14
In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.
1Cor.9.15
But 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.
1Cor.9.15
Still, I want it made clear that I've never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I'm not writing now to get something. I'd rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives.
1Cor.9.15
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me. I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of this boast.
1Cor.9.15
But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void.
1Cor.9.15
Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I would like to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my distinction of preaching without charge.
1Cor.9.16
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
1Cor.9.16
If I proclaim the Message, it's not to get something out of it for myself. I'm compelled to do it, and doomed if I don't!
1Cor.9.16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
1Cor.9.16
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!
1Cor.9.16
For 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 do it!
1Cor.9.17
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
1Cor.9.17
If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I'd expect some pay. But since it's not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid?
1Cor.9.17
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
1Cor.9.17
For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.
1Cor.9.17
If I were doing this of my own free will, then I would deserve payment. But God has chosen me and given me this sacred trust, and I have no choice.
1Cor.9.18
What is my reward then? 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.
1Cor.9.18
So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. You don't even have to pay my expenses!
1Cor.9.18
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.
1Cor.9.18
What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.
1Cor.9.18
What then is my pay? It is the satisfaction I get from preaching the Good News without expense to anyone, never demanding my rights as a preacher.
1Cor.9.19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Cor.9.19
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people:
1Cor.9.19
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
1Cor.9.19
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
1Cor.9.19
This means I am not bound to obey people just because they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ.
1Cor.9.20
And unto 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;
1Cor.9.20
religious, nonreligious,
1Cor.9.20
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
1Cor.9.20
and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
1Cor.9.20
When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ.
1Cor.9.21
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Cor.9.21
meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists,
1Cor.9.21
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.
1Cor.9.21
to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
1Cor.9.21
When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
1Cor.9.22
To 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.
1Cor.9.22
the defeated, the demoralized--whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ--but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.
1Cor.9.22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
1Cor.9.22
to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Cor.9.22
When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.
1Cor.9.23
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
1Cor.9.23
I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
1Cor.9.23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1Cor.9.23
Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
1Cor.9.23
I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.
1Cor.9.24
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Cor.9.24
You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.
1Cor.9.24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1Cor.9.24
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
1Cor.9.24
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win.
1Cor.9.25
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Cor.9.25
All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
1Cor.9.25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1Cor.9.25
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
1Cor.9.25
All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
1Cor.9.26
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Cor.9.26
I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me!
1Cor.9.26
Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
1Cor.9.26
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
1Cor.9.26
So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches.
1Cor.9.27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1Cor.9.27
I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. [JC]
1Cor.9.27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1Cor.9.27
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
1Cor.9.27
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
