1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Original Language Analysis
οὐδενὶ
none
G3762
οὐδενὶ
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
3 of 26
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐχρησάμην
have used
G5530
ἐχρησάμην
have used
Strong's:
G5530
Word #:
4 of 26
to furnish what is needed; (give an oracle, "graze" (touch slightly), light upon, etc.), i.e., (by implication) to employ or (by extension) to act tow
τούτων
of these things
G5130
τούτων
of these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
5 of 26
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
ἔγραψα
have I written
G1125
ἔγραψα
have I written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
7 of 26
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
γένηται
done
G1096
γένηται
done
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 26
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
καλὸν
G2570
καλὸν
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
15 of 26
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μᾶλλον
it were better
G3123
μᾶλλον
it were better
Strong's:
G3123
Word #:
18 of 26
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καύχημά
glorying
G2745
καύχημά
glorying
Strong's:
G2745
Word #:
22 of 26
a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense
Cross References
1 Thessalonians 2:9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.2 Thessalonians 3:8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:1 Corinthians 9:12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.Acts 20:34Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.Acts 18:3And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.Acts 8:3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.1 Corinthians 4:12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:Matthew 18:6But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Historical Context
In a culture where philosophers charged fees and sophists demanded payment, Paul's free preaching was revolutionary. It disarmed critics, demonstrated genuine love, and made the gospel accessible to the poor. Paul supported himself through tent-making (Acts 18:3; 20:33-35), modeling the very sacrifice he preached. His "glorying" was his unique calling—a life of voluntary poverty for gospel advance.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Paul assert his rights (v. 4-14) only to dramatically refuse them (v. 15)?
- What is the relationship between Paul's "glorying" in free preaching and boasting in the cross (Gal 6:14)?
- How does Paul's willingness to die rather than compromise his ministry model Christlike devotion?
Analysis & Commentary
But I have used none of these things: After fourteen verses asserting his rights, Paul shockingly renounces them all. The Greek kechrēmai (κέχρημαι, perfect tense, "I have used") emphasizes sustained refusal—Paul has not taken support in the past and will not in the future. Neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: This entire argument is not a veiled request for money; Paul is establishing principles for others while personally declining them.
For it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. The Greek kauchēma (καύχημα, "boast, glorying") refers to Paul's unique missionary strategy: preaching without charge (v. 18). Paul would rather die than lose this distinctive ministry approach. Why? Because financial independence removes accusations of greed, demonstrates sacrificial love, and mirrors Christ's self-emptying (Phil 2:5-8). Paul's "boast" is not pride but strategic wisdom—he glories in making the gospel free, a living illustration of grace.