1 Corinthians 9:20 BSB

1 Corinthians 9:20

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.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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;

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;

⋯

Commentary

2 voices

Tertullian

Against Marcion Book V (220)

Their truth may be inferred from their agreement with the apostle's own profession, how "to the Jews he became as a Jew, that he might gain the Jews, and to them that were under the law, as under the law,"-and so here with respect to those who come in secretly,-"and lastly, how he became all things to all men, that he might gain all."

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet in many instances he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, remove their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. To those that are without the law as without law that is, to the Gentiles, whether converted to the Christian faith or not.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

Unto the Jews I became as a Jew - In Act 16:3, we find that for the sake of the unconverted Jews he circumcised Timothy. See the note on Act 16:3. To them that are under the law - To those who considered themselves still under obligation to observe its rites and ceremonies, though they had in the main embraced the Gospel, he became as if under the same obligations; and therefore purified himself in the temple, as we find related, Act 21:26 (note).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

Not Judaizing in essentials, but in matters where there was no compromise of principle (compare Ac 16:3; 21:20-26); an undesigned coincidence between the history and the Epistle, and so a sure proof of genuineness. to them that are under the law, as under the law--in things defined by the law; such as ceremonies not then repugnant to Christianity.

Voices on this verse

loading…

Original language & word study

25 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
καὶ	kai	And	G2532 →
ἐγενόμην	egenomēn	I became	G1096 →
τοῖς	tois	to the	G3588 →
Ἰουδαίοις	Ioudaiois	Jews	G2453 →
ὡς	hōs	like	G5613 →
Ἰουδαῖος	Ioudaios	a Jew	G2453 →
ἵνα	ina	so that	G2443 →
Ἰουδαίους	Ioudaious	Jews	G2453 →
κερδήσω·	kerdēsō	I may win;	G2770 →
τοῖς	tois	To those	G3588 →
ὑπὸ	hupo	under	G5259 →
νόμον	nomon	[the] Law	G3551 →
ὡς	hōs	as	G5613 →
ὑπὸ	hupo	under	G5259 →
νόμον,	nomon	[the] law	G3551 →
μὴ	mē	not	G3361 →
ὢν	ōn	being	G1510 →
αὐτὸς	autos	myself	G846 →
ὑπὸ	hupo	under	G5259 →
νόμον,	nomon	[the] law	G3551 →
ἵνα	ina	so that	G2443 →
τοὺς	tous	those	G3588 →
ὑπὸ	hupo	under	G5259 →
νόμον	nomon	[the] law	G3551 →
κερδήσω·	kerdēsō	I may win;	G2770 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
leads to
- Romans 6:14–15
  For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- Romans 8:14
  For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
- Proverbs 8:20
  I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
- Galatians 5:25
  Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
- Galatians 4:5–6
  to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
Through
Acts 16:3
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
leads to
- Galatians 2:3
  Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
- Galatians 5:6
  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
Through
Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria,…
leads to
- Acts 21:24
  Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but…

Featured studies on this passage

Walks through 1 Corinthians 9

Food Offered to Idols, MannaFest

Open the study →

Walks through 1 Corinthians 9

The Crown

Open the study →

Walks through 1 Corinthians 9

The Race

Open the study →

About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 9 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 9 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Corinthians