New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
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.
17
If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
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.
18
What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
19
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
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.
21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
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.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
22
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
23
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
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.
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
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.
26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
26
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
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.
27
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.