1 Corinthians 9:18 Meaning: Paul's Surprising Reward
What then is my reward? That when I preach the Good News, I may present the Good News of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Good News.
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.
What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.
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;
What is the reward then that I have? That in announcing the glad tidings I make the glad tidings costless [to others], so as not to have made use, as belonging to me, of my right in [announcing] the glad tidings.
Meaning in one sentence
Why does Paul call preaching without charge his 'reward'? Discover the meaning of 1 Corinthians 9:18 and the heart of Paul's sacrifice.
Context
Paul is in the middle of a careful argument about his rights as an apostle. He has just shown that those who preach the gospel should be able to live from it, the Lord himself commanded that. But Paul has deliberately refused that right in Corinth. He supports himself by working with his hands. Now he asks a question that turns everything around: if preaching is something he must do, what could possibly count as his reward? The answer comes in this verse. His reward is the choice to preach the gospel free of charge. Not a payment he receives, but a freedom he protects. He does not want to use his authority to the full, because that might get in the way of the message.
Key Words
Three Greek words give this verse its shape. The first is misthos, the ordinary word for wages or pay. A labourer earns his misthos. Paul uses it, then fills it with unexpected content: not money, but the act of giving the gospel away.
The second word is adapanos, which means free of expense or costless. Paul wants the gospel to arrive as a gift, just as it was first given. The word carries the lightness of something that cannot be bought.
The third is the verb katachraomai, which some translations render as "abuse." But it means something closer to "use up" or "use to the full." Paul is not worried about doing something wrong with his authority. He is worried about taking everything he could possibly claim. That full use, even if permitted, would cloud the free nature of the good news. So his reward is to hold back, leaving the gospel unencumbered.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have heard different notes in this verse. John Calvin, the Reformer, saw Paul choosing to go beyond duty, so that his willing service might shine. Matthew Henry emphasized that Paul waived his privilege so his boasting would be in Christ alone, not in any claim of his own. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, said the reward is not from God, Paul was only doing his duty, but a ground for rejoicing among people. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that for Paul the real reward was the satisfaction of preaching without charge, and the ultimate aim was winning souls. These readings do not contradict; they each draw out one thread of the same cord: love that lets go of a right for the gospel's sake.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Paul is saying he earns a reward from God by not taking money, as if his sacrifice deserves heavenly credit. In fact, Paul has just said that preaching is a necessity laid on him (v. 16); he cannot boast about doing what he must. The "reward" in this verse is not a wage from heaven but the freedom to offer the gospel freely. It is his ground for rejoicing, not his payment slip.
Living This Out
You may not be an apostle, but you almost certainly have some right you could claim. Maybe you deserve an apology, a promotion, a thank-you, or a quiet evening. This week you might ask: what small right could I set aside so that someone meets Christ more freely? It might mean letting a coworker take the credit, spending your evening listening when you are tired, or sharing a skill without charging. Paul found that giving up his rights was not a loss but a reward. The gospel moves faster when we hold it with open hands.
Main takeaway: Paul counted his true reward as the freedom to offer the gospel as a free gift, setting aside his own rights so others could receive without hindrance.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Paul told people about Jesus. He had the right to get paid, but he chose not to. He said it was his reward to give the news about Jesus away for free, like a birthday present.
For ages 9, 12
Paul was entitled to be paid for his preaching work. But he refused that right so the gospel would reach people without any cost. He called this his "reward", not money, but the freedom to give the most important message in the world as a gift. Think of something you deserve today that you could give up to help someone else hear about God's love.
Questions People Ask
What is Paul's reward in 1 Corinthians 9:18?
Paul calls his reward the act of preaching the gospel without charge. It is not a prize he receives from God, but a choice he makes: to forgo his rightful financial support so the gospel can be offered freely. This choice gives him a legitimate reason to rejoice before others.
Does this verse mean pastors should not be paid?
Not at all. Paul himself says earlier that the Lord commanded those who preach the gospel to live from it (v. 14). He is describing his own personal decision not to use that right in Corinth, for strategic reasons. Most Christians across traditions agree that paid ministry is biblically supported; Paul's example is an exception, not a rule.
What does 'abuse my authority in the gospel' mean?
The Greek word katachraomai means to 'use to the full' or 'use up.' Paul is not afraid of misusing his authority in a sinful way. He is concerned that claiming everything he could, full financial support, might burden the gospel or give opponents a reason to criticize. So he chooses restraint.
How is preaching without charge a reward?
For Paul, the reward is the internal satisfaction and freedom that comes from giving the gospel as a gift. It also gives him a valid ground for boasting only in the Lord, not in his own accomplishments. Ultimately, this pattern helps him win more people, which is the deepest reward of all.
Is Paul saying he earns salvation by preaching without charge?
No. Paul's whole argument shows that he preaches because he is compelled, he calls it a 'necessity' and says 'woe is me if I do not preach' (v. 16). He cannot earn salvation by doing what he must do. The 'reward' refers to the special joy and freedom he finds in giving up his rights, not to meriting eternal life.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study