1 Corinthians 9:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul reasons that preaching gladly brings a reward, but even if he served unwillingly, a sacred trust has still been entrusted to him.
What Does 1 Corinthians 9:17 Mean?
Paul weighs two ways one might carry out a charge: willingly or under compulsion. If he preaches gladly and freely, there is a reward in it. But even were he to serve grudgingly, the stewardship of the gospel has still been placed in his hands, a trust he cannot lay down.
The word translated dispensation means the management of a household entrusted to a steward. Paul sees himself as a steward of God's message, responsible to deliver what has been committed to him. The point is that the trust remains either way, but joyful, willing service draws a reward of its own. This frames Paul's refusal of pay as the glad overflow of a willing heart, serving Christ not from obligation alone but from love.
1 Corinthians 9:17 in the Original Language
oikonomia (οἰκονομία), 'dispensation' -- the management or stewardship of a household entrusted to a servant.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 9:17
What does 1 Corinthians 9:17 mean?
Paul reasons that preaching gladly brings a reward, but even if he served unwillingly, a sacred trust has still been entrusted to him.