1 Corinthians 9:19-22
Paul considered himself free from all men, but he voluntarily placed himself in a position of servitude as it regarded how he treated people. His belief was that we are all in debt to the world to show them the wonderful love of God (Romans 1:14). By placing himself in the position of servant to his fellow man, he was aiming to gain more converts to the cause of Christ.
He tells us of four different kinds of people that he is going after, having found a way to live without offence in front of each one: Jews; those under law; those not under law; and the weak. In no way does Paul advocate hypocrisy, or acting like you are something that you are not. Each one of these is an example of the way people lived, and Paul was determined to live in a way in front of them that would give him credibility when speaking to them.
Paul was a natural Jew, meaning that he was born into a Jewish family, but he did not believe that that was what made you a Jew. His letter to Rome stated that “they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6) which indicates that to be a true Jew you had to be one of faith, not blood. When around Jewish people, he maintained their customs, going so far as to circumcise Timothy to appease them (Acts 16:3). By showing his Jewish heritage in front of Jews he knew that he kept from offending them and he opened the door for the gospel of grace.
When around those under the law, Paul acted as if he were under the law. This did not mean that Paul became legalistic around them, but that he observed law and custom when he was with people who did the same. In context, due to the writings of chapter 8, Paul was able to observe dietary laws with men who were convicted of such things, careful not to bring offence to anyone.
If he found himself around those who were without law, he lived without it as well. Again, this is no indicator that Paul acted like a sinner when he was with sinners; for that has nothing to do with living without the law. Instead, Paul was able to show forth the message of grace and goodness to those who knew nothing about the law without offending them by bringing the law into the message.
To those who are weak, he could become as though he were weak. Using the context to give us the definition, he is obviously referring back to a statement that he made in chapter 8, “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge…their conscience being weak is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:7). This chapter refers to eating meats that had been offered to idols. Some people felt that it was wrong and their conscience was weak regarding these issues. When Paul was around people who had weak conscience regarding different things, he would not dare do those things that might offend them lest he wound their weak conscience and sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12).
Paul had no delusions that he would see everyone saved, so we should rid ourselves of this as well, but he was also not going to be found guilty of closing the door of evangelism to any single group of people because he refused to see things from their point of view (1 Corinthians 9:22). Might we keep this in mind as we share the glorious good news with those around us?
Paul considered himself free from all men, but he voluntarily placed himself in a position of servitude as it regarded how he treated people. His belief was that we are all in debt to the world to show them the wonderful love of God (Romans 1:14). By placing himself in the position of servant to his fellow man, he was aiming to gain more converts to the cause of Christ.
He tells us of four different kinds of people that he is going after, having found a way to live without offence in front of each one: Jews; those under law; those not under law; and the weak. In no way does Paul advocate hypocrisy, or acting like you are something that you are not. Each one of these is an example of the way people lived, and Paul was determined to live in a way in front of them that would give him credibility when speaking to them.
Paul was a natural Jew, meaning that he was born into a Jewish family, but he did not believe that that was what made you a Jew. His letter to Rome stated that “they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6) which indicates that to be a true Jew you had to be one of faith, not blood. When around Jewish people, he maintained their customs, going so far as to circumcise Timothy to appease them (Acts 16:3). By showing his Jewish heritage in front of Jews he knew that he kept from offending them and he opened the door for the gospel of grace.
When around those under the law, Paul acted as if he were under the law. This did not mean that Paul became legalistic around them, but that he observed law and custom when he was with people who did the same. In context, due to the writings of chapter 8, Paul was able to observe dietary laws with men who were convicted of such things, careful not to bring offence to anyone.
If he found himself around those who were without law, he lived without it as well. Again, this is no indicator that Paul acted like a sinner when he was with sinners; for that has nothing to do with living without the law. Instead, Paul was able to show forth the message of grace and goodness to those who knew nothing about the law without offending them by bringing the law into the message.
To those who are weak, he could become as though he were weak. Using the context to give us the definition, he is obviously referring back to a statement that he made in chapter 8, “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge…their conscience being weak is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:7). This chapter refers to eating meats that had been offered to idols. Some people felt that it was wrong and their conscience was weak regarding these issues. When Paul was around people who had weak conscience regarding different things, he would not dare do those things that might offend them lest he wound their weak conscience and sin against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12).
Paul had no delusions that he would see everyone saved, so we should rid ourselves of this as well, but he was also not going to be found guilty of closing the door of evangelism to any single group of people because he refused to see things from their point of view (1 Corinthians 9:22). Might we keep this in mind as we share the glorious good news with those around us?
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