May 2, 1993
Like the prophet Jeremiah, Paul was called to preach the Word of God. Preaching was fashioned into the fabric of his being; he could do nothing else. In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle explains that his obligation to preach was not forced but a divine compulsion for which he expected no reward. Alistair Begg encourages anyone considering this sacred responsibility to look to Paul to gauge his own motivation.
15But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
Copyright © 2023, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.