19For though I am free from all, I enslaved myself to all, so that I might gain the more. [9:20] And I became to the Jews as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those under the Law as under the Law — not being myself under the Law — so that I might gain those under the Law; [9:21] to those outside the Law as outside the Law — not being outside God's law but within Christ's law — so that I might gain those outside the Law; [9:22] to the weak I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I might save some. [9:23] And I do all things for the sake of the good news, so that I may become a fellow participant in it.
1CO 9:19-23
Paul the Servant to All
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Corinth, Paul’s declaration of becoming 'all things to all people' would resonate deeply within a Greco-Roman context shaped by adaptability and social fluidity. Roman society valued patrons who could navigate diverse social strata, and philosophers like the Stoics emphasized adapting to circumstances without compromising core principles. Paul’s language of 'enslaving' himself evokes the Roman institution of slavery, where slaves were bound to their masters’ will, but here Paul voluntarily submits to serve others for the sake of the gospel. His approach to Jews and those 'under the Law' reflects his sensitivity to Jewish customs and Torah observance, while his engagement with those 'outside the Law' mirrors his mission to Gentiles who lived without Mosaic constraints. The 'weak' likely refers to those with scruples about food or idolatry, a significant issue in Corinth. Paul’s strategy of cultural adaptability aligns with Roman rhetorical ideals of persuasion and the Jewish principle of 'winning' others, but his ultimate aim is participation in the gospel’s mission.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1CO 9:19
- KJV
- For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
- BSB
- Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
- Koinōnos
- For though I am free from all, I enslaved myself to all, so that I might gain the more.
1CO 9:20
- KJV
- And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
- BSB
- To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law.
- Koinōnos
- And I became to the Jews as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those under the Law as under the Law — not being myself under the Law — so that I might gain those under the Law;
1CO 9:21
- KJV
- To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
- BSB
- To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.
- Koinōnos
- to those outside the Law as outside the Law — not being outside God's law but within Christ's law — so that I might gain those outside the Law;
1CO 9:22
- KJV
- To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
- BSB
- To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
- Koinōnos
- to the weak I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I might save some.
1CO 9:23
- KJV
- And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
- BSB
- I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
- Koinōnos
- And I do all things for the sake of the good news, so that I may become a fellow participant in it.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 9:19
- I became servant:The word translated 'I became servant' implies a voluntary act of enslavement, taking on the role of a bondservant, not merely serving in a general sense.
1CO 9:20
- [the] Law:The term translated 'Law' refers specifically to the Mosaic Law, the divine regulations given to Israel, not just any general legal system.
1CO 9:21
- outside [the] Law:The phrase 'outside the Law' carries the sense of being 'lawless' or without the Mosaic Law, not simply being beyond its jurisdiction.
1CO 9:22
- weak:The word translated 'weak' refers to those who are physically or morally feeble, or those whose conscience is easily troubled, rather than just a general lack of strength.