1 Corinthians 9:16-27

(16) For 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!

(17) For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

(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 compete, 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.