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1 Corinthians 9:20

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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;

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};

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.

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.

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

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:20 (KJV)

The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:20, articulates a core principle of his missionary approach: contextualization for the sake of the Gospel. This verse is part of a larger section (verses 19-23) where Paul explains his willingness to forgo personal rights and preferences, including his apostolic authority, to effectively share the message of Christ with diverse groups.

Context

Paul is defending his apostleship and explaining his radical commitment to evangelism. He states that though he is "free from all men" (1 Corinthians 9:19), he has voluntarily become a servant to all. This particular verse addresses his approach to Jewish people. During Paul's ministry, the early church grappled with the relationship between Jewish tradition and the new covenant in Christ. Paul, though a former Pharisee and deeply knowledgeable in the Mosaic Law, understood that salvation came through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the Law (see Galatians 2:16). However, he also recognized the importance of cultural sensitivity when ministering to those still steeped in Jewish customs.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Missionary Adaptation: Paul's statement, "unto the Jews I became as a Jew," highlights his strategy of cultural flexibility. This meant observing certain Jewish customs or traditions when among them, not as a means of salvation, but to remove unnecessary barriers to the Gospel. An example of this is his decision to have Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3), not because it was necessary for salvation, but to facilitate ministry to Jewish communities.
  • Gospel Priority: The overarching goal of Paul's adaptation was "that I might gain them." His personal freedom and preferences were secondary to the urgent task of evangelism. This demonstrates a profound commitment to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
  • Distinction within Judaism: The phrase "to them that are under the law, as under the law," likely refers to those Jews who still strictly adhered to the Mosaic Law as a way of life, even if they believed in Christ. Paul's approach was to respect their practices where they did not contradict the truth of the Gospel, again, for the purpose of winning them to Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "gain" (kerdaino) implies acquiring or winning. It emphasizes the ultimate purpose of Paul's strategy: to win souls for Christ. It's not about personal profit or popularity, but about spiritual harvest. Paul's entire discussion in this chapter revolves around sacrificing personal rights (exousia) for the sake of this spiritual gain.

Practical Application

Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 9:20 teaches believers today the importance of relevant and sensitive outreach. While the core message of the Gospel remains unchanged, its presentation can and should be adapted to the cultural context of the audience. This principle encourages Christians to:

  • Understand Their Audience: Learn about the cultural norms, values, and concerns of those they wish to reach.
  • Remove Unnecessary Barriers: Avoid creating obstacles to the Gospel through non-essential cultural differences or personal preferences. This aligns with Paul's broader statement in 1 Corinthians 9:22: "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
  • Prioritize the Message: Ensure that any adaptation does not compromise the truth of Christ's saving work and the necessity of faith in Him. The goal is always to lead people to Christ, not merely to accommodate their preferences.

This verse challenges Christians to be flexible and strategic in their evangelism, always with the aim of "gaining" others for the Kingdom of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 16:3 (13 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

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

  • Acts 21:20 (5 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Acts 17:3 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.