English Standard Version

1 Corinthians 9:18-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

18. What 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.

19. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

20. 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 those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

22. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

23. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

24. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

25. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

26. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

27. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.