1 Corinthians 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;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} unto the Jews {G2453} I became {G1096} as {G5613} a Jew {G2453}, that {G2443} I might gain {G2770} the Jews {G2453}; to them that are under {G5259} the law {G3551}, as {G5613} under {G5259} the law {G3551}, that {G2443} I might gain {G2770} them that are under {G5259} the law {G3551};

Complete Jewish Bible

That is, with Jews, what I did was put myself in the position of a Jew, in order to win Jews. With people in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah, I put myself in the position of someone under such legalism, in order to win those under this legalism, even though I myself am not in subjection to a legalistic perversion of the Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 9:20, the Apostle Paul articulates a foundational principle of his evangelistic methodology: strategic contextualization. He explains his deliberate choice to identify with Jewish people, even adopting their customs and living "as a Jew" and "as under the law," not out of theological compromise, but with the singular, overriding purpose of removing barriers and effectively communicating the Gospel to them, thereby "gaining" them for Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Paul's broader defense of his apostolic ministry and his radical commitment to evangelism, found in [1 Corinthians 9:1-23](/1_corinthians/9-1-23 "1 Corinthians 9:1-23 - Paul's Apostolic Rights and Sacrifice"). Having asserted his rights as an apostle (e.g., to receive financial support), Paul immediately clarifies that he has voluntarily renounced these rights for the sake of the Gospel. He declares himself "free from all men" yet, paradoxically, has "made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more" ([1 Corinthians 9:19](/1_corinthians/9-19 "1 Corinthians 9:19 - Paul's Voluntary Servitude")). [1 Corinthians 9:20](/1_corinthians/9-20 "1 Corinthians 9:20 - Paul's Missionary Adaptation") provides the first specific example of this "all things to all people" ([1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "1 Corinthians 9:22 - Being All Things to All People")) strategy, focusing on his approach to his Jewish brethren before moving on to Gentiles and those "without law."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's ministry unfolded during a critical period in early Christianity, marked by significant tension between Jewish believers and Gentile converts, particularly concerning the ongoing relevance of the Mosaic Law. Paul, himself a "Hebrew of Hebrews" and a former Pharisee ([Philippians 3:5](/philippians/3-5 "Philippians 3:5 - Paul's Jewish Heritage")), understood Jewish culture, traditions, and the Law intimately. While he vehemently upheld salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, not by works of the Law ([Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")), he also recognized the importance of cultural sensitivity. His willingness to observe certain Jewish customs (e.g., having Timothy circumcised in [Acts 16:3](/acts/16-3 "Acts 16:3 - Timothy's Circumcision")) was not a concession to legalism but a strategic move to remove unnecessary cultural stumbling blocks for Jewish audiences, demonstrating respect and building bridges for the Gospel message.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's actions in [1 Corinthians 9:20](/1_corinthians/9-20 "1 Corinthians 9:20 - Paul's Missionary Adaptation") powerfully illustrate several key themes. Firstly, **contextualization and adaptation** stand out as central to effective evangelism; Paul's ministry was not a one-size-fits-all approach but was tailored to the specific audience. Secondly, the **priority of the Gospel** is paramount; every personal right or cultural preference was secondary to the urgent task of winning souls for Christ. This reflects a deep commitment to the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Lastly, the theme of **Christian freedom and responsibility** is evident. Paul, though free from the Law, chose to limit his freedom out of love and responsibility towards others, echoing the principle of not causing a brother to stumble ([Romans 14:13](/romans/14-13 "Romans 14:13 - Do Not Cause Others to Stumble")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jews (Greek, _Ioudaîos'_):** G2453. This term refers to individuals of Jewish descent, those belonging to Judea or the Jewish people generally. Paul's identification "as a Jew" signifies his willingness to operate within the cultural and social framework familiar to his ethnic kin, leveraging his own Jewish heritage to connect authentically with them.
* **became (Greek, _gínomai'_):** G1096. This verb denotes a dynamic process of coming into being, being made, or happening. It emphasizes Paul's active and intentional choice to adopt a particular posture or identity. It was not a passive state but a deliberate act of self-adaptation for a strategic purpose, highlighting the agency and purposefulness behind his missionary method.
* **gain (Greek, _kerdaínō'_):** G2770. Meaning "to acquire" or "to win," this word underscores the ultimate objective of Paul's contextualization. It signifies a spiritual harvest, the winning of souls for Christ, rather than personal profit or popularity. This term reveals the evangelistic imperative that drove Paul's every action.
* **under (Greek, _hypó'_):** G5259. This preposition indicates a state of subjection, being beneath or under the authority or influence of something. When used with "law," it denotes being bound by or living according to the Mosaic Law. Paul's phrase "as under the law" implies a voluntary, temporary submission to its practices, not a return to legalism for salvation.
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** G3551. This refers primarily to the Mosaic Law, the Torah, encompassing the entire body of Jewish religious, moral, and ceremonial regulations. Paul's engagement with those "under the law" involved respecting their adherence to these traditions, provided it did not contradict the salvific truth of Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And unto the Jews I became as a Jew":** Paul, despite being an apostle of the New Covenant and free from the Mosaic Law as a means of salvation, willingly adopted Jewish customs and practices when ministering to Jewish people. This meant observing dietary laws, participating in synagogue life, or engaging in certain ceremonial rites (e.g., vows in [Acts 18:18](/acts/18-18 "Acts 18:18 - Paul's Vow")) that were not essential for salvation but were culturally significant to Jews. This was an act of empathetic identification, not theological regression.
* **"that I might gain the Jews":** The explicit and singular purpose behind Paul's cultural adaptation was evangelism. His goal was to remove unnecessary cultural or social barriers, making the Gospel more accessible and palatable to Jewish audiences, thereby leading them to faith in Jesus as their Messiah.
* **"to them that are under the law, as under the law":** This phrase likely refers to those Jews who, even after believing in Christ, continued to live under the strict observance of the Mosaic Law, perhaps out of deep-seated tradition or conviction. Paul's approach was to respect their commitment to these practices, not imposing Gentile Christian freedom upon them, as long as it did not compromise the truth of the Gospel.
* **"that I might gain them that are under the law;":** This reiterates the overarching evangelistic objective, emphasizing that Paul's flexibility was always a strategic means to an end: winning these specific groups of people to Christ. The repetition underscores the intensity of his missionary passion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is characterized by striking **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **chiasmus** or mirror parallelism in its structure: "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." This rhetorical device emphasizes the consistent principle applied to distinct but related groups. The deliberate **Repetition** of the phrase "that I might gain" powerfully underscores Paul's singular, driving motivation: the salvation of souls. Furthermore, the verse presents a subtle **Paradox**: Paul, who vigorously preached freedom from the Law, willingly placed himself "as under the law" in practice. This apparent contradiction highlights the depth of his self-sacrificial love and strategic acumen for the sake of the Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's principle of contextualization in [1 Corinthians 9:20](/1_corinthians/9-20 "1 Corinthians 9:20 - Paul's Missionary Adaptation") is deeply rooted in the theological conviction of the Gospel's universal applicability and the imperative for believers to share it effectively. It demonstrates a profound love for lost souls, prioritizing their eternal salvation over personal comfort, cultural preferences, or even perceived rights. This approach reflects a nuanced understanding that while the core message of salvation through Christ remains immutable, its presentation can and should be adapted to resonate with diverse audiences. It's about building bridges, removing unnecessary stumbling blocks, and demonstrating empathy, all without compromising the truth of God's Word. This willingness to adapt for the sake of winning others is a hallmark of truly Christ-like servanthood.

* [1 Corinthians 9:22](/1_corinthians/9-22 "Being All Things to All People") – Paul's broader principle of becoming "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
* [Acts 16:3](/acts/16-3 "Timothy's Circumcision") – A practical example of Paul's contextualization, having Timothy circumcised to avoid offending Jews in the region.
* [Romans 14:13-23](/romans/14-13-23 "Conscience and Christian Liberty") – Paul's teaching on Christian liberty and the responsibility not to cause a weaker brother to stumble through one's actions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's example in [1 Corinthians 9:20](/1_corinthians/9-20 "1 Corinthians 9:20 - Paul's Missionary Adaptation") offers a timeless and profound challenge to believers today. It calls us to move beyond insular cultural preferences and personal comfort zones in our efforts to share the Gospel. Genuine love for others compels us to understand their worldview, their cultural norms, and their unique spiritual questions. This means being willing to adapt our communication style, our methods, and even our non-essential practices to connect effectively with those who are different from us, always with the ultimate goal of leading them to Christ. This requires humility to listen, discernment to distinguish between essential truths and cultural preferences, and a willingness to lay aside personal "rights" for the sake of another's salvation. It is about being relatable and accessible without ever compromising the unchanging truth of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my own cultural background or personal preferences unknowingly create unnecessary barriers to the Gospel for those from different walks of life?**
* **How can I actively seek to understand the cultural and spiritual context of the people God has placed around me, so that I might more effectively share Christ with them?**
* **What "rights" or comforts might I need to consider laying aside, in the spirit of Paul, to more strategically and lovingly reach others for the Kingdom of God?**

### FAQ
**Was Paul being hypocritical by becoming "as a Jew" after teaching freedom from the Law?**

Answer: No, Paul was not being hypocritical. His actions were a strategic application of his missionary principle, not a theological compromise. Paul consistently taught that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Mosaic Law ([Galatians 2:16](/galatians/2-16 "Galatians 2:16 - Justification by Faith")). His willingness to live "as a Jew" when among Jews was a demonstration of cultural sensitivity and empathy, aimed at removing unnecessary social or cultural stumbling blocks to the Gospel. He distinguished between essential truths of faith and non-essential cultural practices. His goal was always to "gain" souls, not to endorse a works-based righteousness. This aligns with his broader teaching to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Wise and Innocent")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's radical commitment to contextualization in [1 Corinthians 9:20](/1_corinthians/9-20 "1 Corinthians 9:20 - Paul's Missionary Adaptation") is a profound echo of the ultimate act of divine contextualization: the incarnation of Jesus Christ. God, in His infinite wisdom and love, did not merely send a message from afar to a fallen humanity, but He Himself "became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Incarnation of the Word")). The eternal Son of God, though fully divine, "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). Jesus entered our human condition, bore our weaknesses, experienced our temptations, and lived under the very Law that humanity had failed to keep, yet without sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Christ's Temptation and Empathy")). This ultimate act of divine identification and self-abasement was "that he might gain" humanity, reconciling us to God through His sacrificial death on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). Paul's willingness to become "as a Jew" for the sake of the Gospel is a Spirit-empowered reflection of Christ's own condescension and self-sacrifice, demonstrating that genuine evangelism flows from a heart shaped by the self-giving love of God in Christ Jesus, who became like us so that we might become like Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 16:3

Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

Galatians 5:18

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Acts 21:20

And when they heard [it], they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Acts 21:26

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Acts 17:2

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 17:3

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.