“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Apostle Paul wrote (16b). A woe is no light statement for it is deep distress, misery, and calamity. Apostle Paul was compelled to preach the gospel (16a). He is a classic description of prophetic reluctance overcome by divine compulsion to preach Jesus, just as the prophet Jeremiah was when he said, “If I say, ‘I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.” (Jeremiah 20:9)
Apostles Peter and John, when they were before the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law, who told them to stop teaching about Jesus, told them, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:5-21) And so they continued to witness about Jesus, even with more threats of punishment, even when James, John’s brother, was killed.
The Lord Jesus had laid on these men the irresistible volition to preach the good news. They breathed the gospel. Paul said he could preach voluntarily or involuntarily (17). If voluntarily, he would receive a reward. If involuntarily, he would simply be discharging the trust committed to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19, 26:16-18).
Since all are compelled to preach, that is, commanded to witness about what Jesus has done for us, then why be a reluctant witness and lose the reward? Why bury what is entrusted and not get a return, as Jesus taught in the parable? In preaching the gospel, I voluntarily offer it free of charge and do not exercise my rights. I do not quench the fire in my bones.
