1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

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Other translations

WEBBE

To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may 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.

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.

ASV

To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

BBE

To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation.

Original Greek

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ἐγενόμην egenomēn I became G1096 τοῖς tois to the G3588 ἀσθενέσιν asthenesin weak G772 ὡς hōs as G5613 ἀσθενὴς asthenēs weak G772 ἵνα ina that G2443 τοὺς tous the G3588 ἀσθενεῖς astheneis weak G772 κερδήσω kerdēsō I may win G2770 τοῖς tois The [things] G3588 πᾶσιν pasin to all G3956 γέγονα gegona I have become G1096 τὰ ta (the) G3588 πάντα panta all G3956 ἵνα ina so that G2443 πάντως pantōs by all means G3843 τινὰς tinas some G5100 σώσω sōsō I may save G4982

The early church

"To the weak became I weak, that I might gain the weak:" in this part coming to their case, with a view to which also all these things have been spoken. However, those were much greater things, but this more to the purpose; whence also he hath placed it after them. Indeed he did the same thing likewise in his Epistle to the Romans, when he was finding fault about meats; and so in many other places. Next, not to waste time by naming all severally, he saith, "I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." Seest thou how far it is carried? "I am become all things to all men," not expecting, however, to save all, but that I may save though it be but a few. And so great care and service have I undergone, as one naturally would who was about saving all, far however from hoping to gain all: which was truly magnanimous and a proof of burning zeal. Since likewise the sower sowed every where, and saved not all the seed, notwithstanding he did his part. And having mentioned the fewness of those who are saved, again, adding, "by all means," he consoled those to whom this was a grief. For though it be not possible that all the seed should be saved, nevertheless it cannot be that all should perish. Wherefore he said, "by all means," because one so ardently zealous must certainly have some success.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 15–23

It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 9 →

Cross-references

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.