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.
Parallel translations
- WEB To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who 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;
- NKJV and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
- NASB To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law;
- NLT When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
To win Jews and those under the Law, Paul lived as one under the Law, accommodating himself to reach them. He adapts his conduct, without compromising the gospel, to remove barriers to faith.
Overview
Paul describes his missionary flexibility: among Jews he observed Jewish customs (cf. Acts 16:3; 21:23-26) to gain a hearing, though he was not bound to the Law for salvation. This is accommodation in matters indifferent, not compromise of gospel truth. His aim is always evangelistic—"that I might gain" them. Such loving adaptability serves the spread of the gospel and models sensitivity to those one hopes to reach.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 16:3Paul 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.
- Gal 5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
- Acts 21:20–26When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
- Acts 17:2–3As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
- Rom 6:14–15For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
- Rom 11:14in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
- Gal 4:21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?
- Rom 3:19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
- Acts 18:18Paul 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, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
- Gal 4:5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 9:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.