1 CORINTHIANS 9:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“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.”
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this now in the hope of receiving such help. I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. — Paul's refusal is absolute: ouch heōs touta gegrapthai = not to have this written about him, claiming payment. The phrase 'deprive me of this boast' (kenōsei to kauchēma mou) suggests that voluntary poverty is his claim to integrity. Death itself would be preferable to losing this grounds for boasting—his refusal to burden the church.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 9:15
“But I have used none of these things:” What then if you have not used them now, says one, but intendest to use them at a future time, and on this account sayest these things. Far from it; for he speedily corrected the notion, thus saying; “And I write not these things that it may be so done in my case.” And see with what vehemence he disavows and repels the thing: “For it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.” And not once nor…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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