Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Corinthians 9:16

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the Gospel." What sayest thou? tell me. …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 22 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What are you saying? Your praise is not in preaching the Gospel, but in preaching without charge? Is the latter better than the former? No, he says; but preaching the Gospel has been commanded to me, it is my duty, and if I fulfill it, there is no perfection in that, but if I do not fulfill it, woe to me, for I will be beaten much, as one who does not do the will of his Master (Luke 12:47). But to preach without charge is a matter of free choice, and therefore a praiseworthy matter. …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗