If St. Paul works unwillingly then what?

[IwishIknew]

Just looking at yesterday’s readings. What does the bolded sentence mean? Thinking this is important because many times in the service of my vocation, I do good deeds with varying degrees of unwillingness because it is my duty rather than my desire to do good. Thoughts?

If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,
for an obligation has been imposed on me,
and woe to me if I do not preach it! *- Guessing this means punishment.*If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, *- Guessing this means merit in Heaven. but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship. - No idea what this means, thoughts? *

• 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

 

[MaryT777]

Interesting question…I’ll await those more knowledgeable and read along…
Mary.

 

[thistle]

Just looking at yesterday’s readings. What does the bolded sentence mean? Thinking this is important because many times in the service of my vocation, I do good deeds with varying degrees of unwillingness because it is my duty rather than my desire to do good. Thoughts?

• 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 16. It is no glory. That is, I have nothing to glory of. (Challoner) — If I preach the gospel through compulsion, fear, or mere necessity, having no other means of maintenance, I must not look for a reward in heaven; but now doing it through charity and freely, I shall have my reward from God; and the more abundant the charity, the greater the reward. (St. Augustine, de Op. Mor. i. 5.)

Ver. 17. But if against my will. That is, if I do not do it with alacrity and zeal, but instigated by the sole motive of punishment, woe unto me, as he says in the preceding verse, if I am instigated by this motive alone; still the dispensation of the gospel is entrusted to me, and I must comply with that obligation, either with the zeal and alacrity of a son, or for fear of punishment, as a slave. (Estius)

Ver. 19. Free as to all. That is, whereas I was under no obligation to any man, yet I made myself the servant of all, &c. (Calmet)

 

[Fidelis]

Just looking at yesterday’s readings. What does the bolded sentence mean? Thinking this is important because many times in the service of my vocation, I do good deeds with varying degrees of unwillingness because it is my duty rather than my desire to do good. Thoughts?

• 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

In his meditations on last Sunday readings (found here), Scripture scholar Dr. Michael Barber explains it this way:

Paul…insists that he does not perform his service of the Gospel as a freeman; he cannot receive a “reward”–i.e., payment–for what he is doing since his is the ministry of a slave–he is a slave of Christ. Specifically, Paul uses the language of “stewardship”, evoking the imagery of the slave who is entrusted with administering his master’s household (cf. the servant described in Luke 16:1-9).

Since Paul, therefore, works as a slave of Christ he cannot, therefore, receive a “reward” for what he has does in his ministry; his service is not voluntary.

 

[Fidelis]

You’re welcome.