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17. Willingly. Gr. hek?n, “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. ak?n, in meaning opposite to hek?n (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.

17. Willingly. Gr. hek?n, “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).

Accursed. Gr. anathema, “devoted to destruction” (see on Rom. 9:3). Here a simple rule is given whereby it may be known whether one who claims to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit is really being led by God. One who is actuated by the Holy Spirit would not speak of Christ as being accursed, or deserving of destruction. It is inconceivable that any man inspired by the Holy Spirit would ever speak in a derogatory manner of Jesus, much less call Him a man who is cursed and set apart for destruction. Any such utterance is sufficient proof that the one who voices it, whatever his claims may be, is definitely not influenced by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would always, and under all circumstances, give honor to Christ, and would prompt anyone under His influence to love and reverence the name of Christ (see 1 John 4:1-3).

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).

Jesus is the Lord. Anyone not influenced by the Spirit of God would not acknowledge that Jesus is the divine Son of God. This does not deny the possibility of words being uttered that would seem to recognize Christ as Lord or Saviour, apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit, for that has been done in mockery by evil men. But genuine heart confession of Jesus as Lord comes only from the lips of one who is led by the Spirit (cf. Matt. 16:16, 17). Those who truly honor the name and work of Jesus prove that they are influenced by the Holy Spirit. No man will ever cherish real regard for Christ, nor love His name and work, unless he is led by the Spirit to perceive the divine nature of the Saviour. No one can show his love for the name and work of Jesus by following the inclinations and promptings of his own unregenerate heart. In every instance where an individual is brought to accept Christ, it is through the agency of the Spirit of God. Conversely, one who is inclined to speak lightly of Jesus, or disparage His work in any way, or teach doctrines contrary to His Word, proves by so doing that he is not led of the Spirit (see DA 412). The presence of the Holy Spirit should be prayed for and cherished. To grieve away the Holy Spirit by refusing to follow His leading is to drive all true knowledge of the Saviour from the heart. This results in coldness, darkness, and finally spiritual death (see Eph. 4:30; DA 587, 588).

Against my will. Gr. ak?n, in meaning opposite to hek?n (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.

17. Willingly. Gr. hekōn, “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. akōn, in meaning opposite to hekōn (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.

17. Willingly. Gr. hekōn, “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).

Accursed. Gr. anathema, “devoted to destruction” (see on Rom. 9:3). Here a simple rule is given whereby it may be known whether one who claims to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit is really being led by God. One who is actuated by the Holy Spirit would not speak of Christ as being accursed, or deserving of destruction. It is inconceivable that any man inspired by the Holy Spirit would ever speak in a derogatory manner of Jesus, much less call Him a man who is cursed and set apart for destruction. Any such utterance is sufficient proof that the one who voices it, whatever his claims may be, is definitely not influenced by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God would always, and under all circumstances, give honor to Christ, and would prompt anyone under His influence to love and reverence the name of Christ (see 1 John 4:1-3).

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).

Jesus is the Lord. Anyone not influenced by the Spirit of God would not acknowledge that Jesus is the divine Son of God. This does not deny the possibility of words being uttered that would seem to recognize Christ as Lord or Saviour, apart from the influence of the Holy Spirit, for that has been done in mockery by evil men. But genuine heart confession of Jesus as Lord comes only from the lips of one who is led by the Spirit (cf. Matt. 16:16, 17). Those who truly honor the name and work of Jesus prove that they are influenced by the Holy Spirit. No man will ever cherish real regard for Christ, nor love His name and work, unless he is led by the Spirit to perceive the divine nature of the Saviour. No one can show his love for the name and work of Jesus by following the inclinations and promptings of his own unregenerate heart. In every instance where an individual is brought to accept Christ, it is through the agency of the Spirit of God. Conversely, one who is inclined to speak lightly of Jesus, or disparage His work in any way, or teach doctrines contrary to His Word, proves by so doing that he is not led of the Spirit (see DA 412). The presence of the Holy Spirit should be prayed for and cherished. To grieve away the Holy Spirit by refusing to follow His leading is to drive all true knowledge of the Saviour from the heart. This results in coldness, darkness, and finally spiritual death (see Eph. 4:30; DA 587, 588).

Against my will. Gr. akōn, in meaning opposite to hekōn (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.