15 And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for 'it is' good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void; 16 for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and wo is to me if I may not proclaim good news; 17 for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly—with a stewardship I have been entrusted! 18 What, then, is my reward?—that proclaiming good news, without charge I shall make the good news of the Christ, not to abuse my authority in the good news;
19 for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain; 20 and I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain; 21 to those without law, as without law—(not being without law to God, but within law to Christ)—that I might gain those without law; 22 I became to the infirm as infirm, that the infirm I might gain; to all men I have become all things, that by all means I may save some. 23 And this I do because of the good news, that a fellow-partaker of it I may become;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
(Read 1 Corinthians 9:15-23)
It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.