Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:16

"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." — 1 Corinthians 9:16 (ASV)

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of.—Better, For though I preach the gospel, I have no ground of boasting.

St. Paul proceeds now to show how his maintenance by the Church would deprive him of his right to boast or glory in his work. The mere preaching of the gospel supplies no ground of boasting; it is a necessity. God’s woe would await him in the judgment—if he did not do so. A man can have no ground of boasting in doing that which he must do.