1 Corinthians 9:15 net — But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fa…

NET Bible

"But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than– no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!"

— 1 Corinthians 9:15, NET Bible

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1 Corinthians 9:15 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 9 — Context

12

If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving?But we have not made use of this right. Instead we endure everything so that we may not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

13

Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings?

14

In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel.

15

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than– no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!

16

For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason for boasting, because I am compelled to do this. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

17

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward. But if I do it unwillingly, I am entrusted with a responsibility.

18

What then is my reward? That when I preach the gospel I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 9:15 say?
1 Corinthians 9:15 in the NET Bible reads: “But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than– no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!”
Where is 1 Corinthians 9:15 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 9:15 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 15.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 9:15.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 9:15 in?
1 Corinthians 9:15 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 9:15?
1 Corinthians 9:15 reads (NET): “But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than– no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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