To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
Parallel translations
- 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.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
- NASB To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.
- NLT When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
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 the weak Paul became weak, and to all people he became all things, so that by every means he might save some. His whole aim is the salvation of as many as possible.
Overview
Paul climaxes his account of self-adaptation: he meets people where they are, even accommodating the scruples of the "weak" (cf. ch. 8), to win them to Christ. "All things to all men" describes principled, loving flexibility in non-essentials—never in the gospel itself—driven entirely by the goal of saving some. This is the apostle's wholehearted, sacrificial passion for the salvation of souls.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 1 Cor 10:33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
- Rom 15:1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
- 1 Cor 9:19For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
- Rom 11:14if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh, and may save some of them.
- Gal 6:1Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
- 1 Cor 8:13Therefore if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forever more, that I don’t cause my brother to stumble.
- 1 Cor 7:16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
- 2 Cor 11:29Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and I don’t burn with indignation?
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 9:22 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
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