16. If I preach the gospel, I have no reason to brag, since I’m obligated to do it. I’m in trouble if I don’t preach the gospel.
17. If I do this voluntarily, I get rewarded for it. But if I’m forced to do it, then I’ve been charged with a responsibility.
18. What reward do I get? That when I preach, I offer the good news free of charge. That’s why I don’t use the rights to which I’m entitled through the gospel.
19. Although I’m free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them.
20. I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I’m under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law).
21. I act like I’m outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I’m not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ).
22. I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means.
23. All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.
24. Don’t you know that all the runners in the stadium run, but only one gets the prize? So run to win.