1 Corinthians 9:22 BSB

1 Corinthians 9:22

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.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

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.

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.

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Commentary

3 voices

Ambrose of Milan

Letter 37 (To Simplician) (397)

He who did not think it robbery to be equal with God took the nature of a slave. He became all things to all men to bring salvation to all. Paul, an imitator of him, lived as if outside the law while remaining accountable to the law. He spent his life for the advantage of those he wished to win. He willingly became weak for the weak in order to strengthen them. He ran the race to overtake them.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He denied himself for their sakes, that he might insinuate into their affections, and gain their souls. In short, he became all things to all men, that he might by all means (all lawful means) gain some. He would not sin against God to save the soul of his neighbour, but he would very cheerfully and readily deny himself.

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible (1832)

To the weak became I as weak - Those who were conscientiously scrupulous, even in respect to lawful things. I am made all things to all men - I assumed every shape and form consistent with innocency and perfect integrity; giving up my own will, my own way, my own ease, my own pleasure, and my own profit, that I might save the souls of all. Let those who plead for the system of accommodation on the example of St. Paul, attend to the end he had in view, and the manner in which he pursued that end.

Charles Spurgeon

1834–1892

The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 1170: “"By All Means, Save Some"” (lightly modernized text, CCEL edition) (1874)

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

16 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ἐγενόμην	egenomēn	I became	G1096 →
τοῖς	tois	to the	G3588 →
ἀσθενέσιν	asthenesin	weak	G772 →
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 →
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 →

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 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
leads to
- James 5:19–20
  My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Romans 15:1
  We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
- 2 Timothy 2:25
  He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:15
  Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
- Jude 1:22–23
  And indeed, have mercy on those who doubt;
Through
Romans 15:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
leads to
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14
  And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
- Romans 14:1
  Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- Galatians 6:1–2
  Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

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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 →

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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