15 But (A)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 (B)deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For (C)necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with (D)a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching (E)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For (F)though I am free from all, (G)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might (H)win more of them. 20 (I)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To (J)those outside the law I became (K)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but (L)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 (M)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. (N)I have become all things to all people, that (O)by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, (P)that I may share with them in its blessings.

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15 But I have not used any of these rights.(A) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(B) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(C) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(D) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(E) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(F) and so not make full use of my rights(G) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(H) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(I) to win as many as possible.(J) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(K) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(L) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(M) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(N) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(O) I have become all things to all people(P) so that by all possible means I might save some.(Q) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

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