16 Now if I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe to me if I do not declare the good news!+ 17 If I do this willingly, I have a reward; but even if I do it against my will, I still have a stewardship entrusted to me.+

25 I became a minister of this congregation in accord with the stewardship+ from God that was given to me in your behalf to preach the word of God fully, 26 the sacred secret+ that was hidden from the past systems of things*+ and from the past generations. But now it has been revealed to his holy ones,+