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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while defending his apostolic conduct and voluntary relinquishment of rights. He addresses believers who were navigating cultural and religious tensions within a mixed Jewish-Gentile community.

The words — The Greek verb ἐγενόμην (egenomēn) translates literally as "I became," paired with ὡς (hōs) "like," indicating a deliberate behavioral adjustment rather than a change in legal status. The conjunction ἵνα (ina) functions as "so that" or "to," establishing the purpose of the adaptation.

The thread — The text describes Paul's method of cultural accommodation, which aligns with his decision to circumcise Timothy to avoid offending local Jews (Acts 16:3) and his observation of the large number of Jewish believers in Jerusalem (Acts 21:20). This practical strategy stands in tension with his theological declaration that those led by the Spirit are not bound by the Mosaic code (Galatians 5:18).

Why it lands — The verse states that Paul altered his external practices to remove unnecessary barriers for specific groups, explicitly noting his own freedom from those very practices. It requires a reader to separate personal liberty from evangelistic strategy, applying contextual sensitivity without compromising internal adherence to Christ's law.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

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.
Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Acts 21:20 When 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 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
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, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
Romans 3:19 Now 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.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 11:14 in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.
Galatians 4:5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?