Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:18

"What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel." — 1 Corinthians 9:18 (ASV)

What is my reward then?—It seems better to omit the question mark and read the whole verse as follows: What reward then is to be mine, so that (i.e., which induces me) in preaching the gospel I make the gospel without charge (to my hearers), so that I do not use my power in the gospel? The “power” is the right to support maintained in 1 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Corinthians 9:12.