1 Corinthians 9:17

Willingly. Gr. hekon, “eagerly,” “of one’s own instigation,” “of one’s own resolve.” Paul does not mean that he did his work grudgingly or unwillingly, but that his vocation was not the result of his own original planning for a life career (see on v. 16).

A reward. Paul’s meaning is not entirely clear. Perhaps the apostle means that if he were in the business of preaching the gospel as were other teachers he would receive a reward as they apparently do (v. 14). This is not the reward he sought (see on v. 18).

Against my will. Gr. akon, in meaning opposite to hekon (see above under “willingly”), hence, in the context, meaning not of his own resolve. He was called to the work when he had other plans in mind. Thus the fact that he was preaching the gospel was no ground for glorying.

Dispensation. Gr. oikonomia, “stewardship,” “commission.” Paul had been entrusted with a stewardship. In Paul’s day stewards were often slaves chosen from the domestic servants and charged with the care of the household goods (see Luke 12:42, 43). There is no idea here of degrading the Christian ministry to the level of a servile office. The word is used to illustrate the manner of Paul’s appointment as an apostle.

Paul did not mean that he preached the gospel for no other reason than that of mere compulsion, because he had the burden laid upon him, or in such a way that his will did not agree with what he was doing. Once having received his call, he gladly accepted his responsibility as a steward and determined to magnify his office. He saw fit to do this by denying himself the legitimate material compensation arranged by the Lord for ministers of the gospel (see Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:13, 14). This meant that he would do without comforts and conveniences that he might lawfully enjoy, and that he would subject himself to hardship and toil for his own support while preaching the gospel. Behavior of this kind was a demonstration that his heart was in his work and that he really enjoyed and loved it.