1 Corinthians 9:15 - Meaning and Application

Here Paul says that, even so, he had set aside his right, and he gives his reason for doing it.

He tells them that he had not used any of these privileges before. “I have used none of these things” (1 Corinthians 9:15). He did not eat or drink at their expense, he did not bring along a wife to be supported by them, and he did not stop working to support himself. He received support from others, but not from them, for special reasons. He is not writing this now to press his claim. Even though he has made clear that he had the right, he still does not demand it. For their sake, and for the gospel, he chooses self-denial.

The reason for this self-denial is that he did not want his boasting to be taken away from him. “It were better for me to die than that any man should make my glorying void” (1 Corinthians 9:15). This boasting was not proud self-display or a grasp for praise. It meant deep joy and satisfaction. It was a special pleasure to preach the gospel without making it a burden to anyone, and he was determined not to lose that joy among them. His opportunities to advance the gospel were his honor, and he valued them above his rights, even above his life. He would rather die than have it said that he cared more about payment than the work itself. So he was willing to deny himself for the sake of the gospel.

This is the honor of a minister, to care more about the success of his ministry than his own interest. He should deny himself so that he can serve Christ and save souls. In doing this, he does not go beyond what love requires. He still acts within the bounds of Christian love. Yet he acts from noble motives, and he brings honor to God by it. God will approve and praise such service. A person may rightly value this and take comfort in it, though he cannot earn favor with God by it.

Paul also shows that this self-denial was more honorable in itself, and gave him more comfort, than preaching alone would have done. “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” (1 Corinthians 9:16). This was his charge and his work. He had been appointed an apostle for this very purpose, and this duty was laid on him in plain terms. It was not optional for him. He was bound by necessity. If he did not preach, he would be unfaithful to his trust and disobey a clear command. That is why he says, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.”

Those who are set apart for the ministry have this charge: they must preach the gospel. Woe to them if they do not. This does not apply to every preacher in the same way when it comes to support. It is not said that they must preach without any maintenance at all. There are times and circumstances when a minister may preach without receiving pay, but in general he has a right to support from those among whom he labors. If he gives up that right for the sake of the gospel and the good of souls, he is not doing something beyond duty in every case. He is simply setting aside his claim. Sometimes love to God and kindness to people may call him to do that. It is a high mark of Christian maturity to give up our own rights for the good of others, and God gives a special reward for that.

Paul then says that doing duty with a willing heart brings a gracious reward from God. “If I do this thing willingly, I have a reward” (1 Corinthians 9:17). Only willing service can be rewarded by God in this sense. God does not reward duty done only by outward force. He rewards what is done from the heart, gladly and freely. If we leave the heart out of our service, God hates it. Such service is only the shell of religion, without its life.

So those who preach should do it willingly if they want to be accepted by God in that work. They should treat their task as a joy, not as hard labor. In the same way, those who give up their right to support for the honor of God or the good of souls should do it willingly if they want God’s approval and reward. Yet whether a person serves gladly or reluctantly, every minister still has a trust from God and must answer for it. Ministers have a stewardship, a sacred trust, of the gospel (Luke 16:2). Christ’s willing servants will not miss their reward, and it will match their faithfulness, zeal, and hard work. His lazy and unwilling servants will also be called to account. Taking his name and claiming to do his work makes a person answerable before him. And how sorrowful that account will be for lazy servants!

Paul closes by pointing to the reward he expects for his unusual self-denial. “What is my reward then?” (1 Corinthians 9:18). What does he hope God will reward? That when he preaches the gospel, he may do it without charge, and that he does not abuse his power in the gospel. In other words, he does not use his right in a way that would hurt the very purpose of his office. It is an abuse of power to use it against the ends for which it was given. Paul would never use his right to support in a way that would weaken the gospel’s work. Instead, he would gladly deny himself for the honor of Christ and the good of souls. Those ministers who follow his example may have a cheerful hope of a full reward.