What did Paul mean that he had become all things to all men? How should we apply this principle in our own lives? Does it mean watering down the message or compromising with sin?

Teaching Notes:

All Things To All Men To Save Some

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Intro:  In 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, Paul has used his own example to show how the principle of “Love Limits Liberty” has worked out in his own life. Paul had every right to refrain from secular work to focus entirely on gospel ministry, and have his needs provided by those he was ministering to. However, he did not use this right so that he would cause no hindrance to the gospel (vs.12). Paul kept on working as a tentmaker while he ministered the gospel, denying his own liberties as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Well, in 1Cor.9:19-23 he goes on to say that he not only denied himself the right to refrain from secular work. There were many other instances of self-denial that he willingly embraced for the sake of those he was ministering to. Paul was willing to become all things to all men in order to save some!

1Cor.9:19 is Paul’s Thesis Statement for this paragraph. Here he lays down the general principle that he will go on to expound upon.

Free from all men: Paul is referring to what he has just written in vs.1-18. He is free from any man’s control. He is financially independent of any man because he doesn’t rely on them for his living. Thus, he is free from any pressure or manipulation that anyone would ever put on him because they are paying him or providing for his needs. That is a huge blessing to any man of God. If he can provide for his own needs, he never has to face the pressure of capitulating to the demands of any man in terms of what he preaches or teaches. If he preaches the truth and they all withdraw their support, it doesn’t matter, because he’s not receiving his support from them. Now, this is not always possible, but when it is, can be a wonderful blessing.

I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more: Although Paul was free from any man’s control, he voluntarily denied himself many of his rights in order that his hearers would not be prejudiced against his ministry. His greatest passion was to “win the more.” Win: we speak of “winning the lost to Christ.” We mean that we want to “win them over; persuade them to embrace Jesus Christ” because He is worthy of their supreme devotion.”  So, Paul’s greatest passion was the salvation of souls. In order to attain that end, he was willing to deny himself his liberties. What a great example for us!

1.  Paul’s Methodology:

1) Paul Became A Slave to the Jews: He became “as a Jew”; and “as under the Law.”  Paul, himself, was not under the Law, but he lived as though he was when he was ministering to those who were under the Law.

• What does Paul mean by “not under the Law”? He means he was not bound to the OT Jewish Law. He wasn’t bound to the laws regarding circumcision (1Cor.7:19; Gal.6:15), food (Mk.7:19; Rom.14:20; 1Tim.4:1-5), Sabbaths/special feast days  (Col.2:16-17).
• When Paul was with unbelieving Jews, he would refrain from eating meat sacrificed to idols. Why? Because he felt that would be intrinsically wrong? No. Because he loved these Jews, and he would needlessly offend them if he ate non-kosher around them, and lose his opportunity of winning them to Christ. The Jews observed the Law, because they felt they must in order to be saved. Paul observed the Law, because he loved these Jews, and wanted to win them to Christ. They both did the same thing – observed the Law – but for 2 entirely different reasons, as different as night and day.
• Paul was free to either observe the Law or not. He knew that observing these Laws did not affect his standing with God one bit. If someone required Gentile converts to observe the Law, Paul would become almost violent in his opposition (book of Galatians). Paul was fine with converted Jews observing the Law, as long as they understood it did not affect their acceptance with God.
• This is why Paul is free to take a Nazirite vow (Acs 18:18), or pay the expenses of 4 others taking a Nazarite vow (Acts 21:23-26), or observe the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). Yet, he’s also free not to observe them.
• How did this work out in Paul’s ministry practically? When circumcision would further the cause of the gospel among Jews, Paul would allow it. He had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:1-3), so that his uncircumcision would not hinder the cause of the gospel among Jews. However, when circumcision was insisted on for salvation Paul refused it (he refused to circumcise Titus (Gal.2:3-5). Why? Because the Judaizers taught that a man could not be saved unless he was circumcised.)  Paul opposed this false doctrine adamantly. Also, the Jerusalem Council decided they would not trouble the Gentile believers about the necessity of circumcision. However, they would write to them and ask that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, fornication (probably referring to temple prostitution), from what is strangled and blood (Acts 15:19-20). Why? Acts 15:21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” The Jerusalem Council was asking Gentile believers to abstain from a few practices which were particularly offensive to their Jewish brethren.

2) Paul Became A Slave to the Gentiles: Paul calls them “those who are without law.”  To these Gentiles who were without law, Paul became as without law. However, he is quick to insert, “though not being without the Law of God but under the law of Christ.”  This teaches us that even though a believer is not under the OT Jewish Law, he is not lawless. He is under the law of Christ.

• Law of Moses Vs. Law of Christ: This is a huge distinction that we must make in order to understand the will of God for a New Covenant believer. Are 21^st century Christians bound to not sow 2 different kinds of seed in their field, not trim their beards, wear tattoos, or wear clothes with 2 kinds of material sewn together?  No – they are not under the Mosaic Law. Rather, they are under the Law of Christ. What is that? I believe the Law of Christ is the ethical standards taught by Jesus Christ or His servants in the NT. The sum of those ethical standards is Love. The only other time this phrase is found in the NT is Gal.6:2. There it refers to the law of love where we bear each other’s burdens and seek to restore one another when caught in a trespass.  This makes perfect sense, because Jesus taught the greatest commandment was to Love God supremely, and the 2^nd greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves. Further, He gave a new commandment which was to love one another even as He has loved us (Jn.13:34-35). Thus, believers are not antinomian (against law). Indeed, Jesus will say on Judgment Day, “I never knew you; depart me, you who practice lawlessness.”
• What Does It Mean That Paul Became As Without Law? It means that when Paul was with Gentiles, he did not observe the Jewish dietary laws, circumcision, or special holy days. He was free not to observe them, knowing that it would not affect his right standing with God

3) Paul Became A Slave to the Weak:

Who are the “Weak”? Turn back a chapter to 8:7-12. There it refers to someone who does not understand their liberty in Christ, and so feel they either can’t do or must do certain things that are non-moral issues (eat food sacrificed to idols, drink wine, observe days, etc.).

What Does Paul Mean By “I Became Weak”? He means he is willing to give up whatever liberty the “weak” person is not able to enjoy, for the sake of ministering the gospel to them. If the “weak” person felt it was wrong to eat meat sacrificed to idols, Paul would not eat that meat when he was with him, in order to avoid offense or stumbling.

2.  Paul’s Motivation:

1)   To Win People to Christ:

• “that I might win the more” – 9:19
• “that I might win Jews” – 9:20
• “that I might win those who are under the Law” – 9:20
• “that I might win those who are without law” – 9:21
• “that I might win the weak” – 9:22
• “that I might save some” – 9:22
• To “Win” is Equivalent to “Save” Them: 1Cor.9:22.  But what is it that sinners need to be won to, and to be saved from? They need to be won to Christ, to heaven, to eternal life, to everlasting glory.  They need to be saved from the wrath of God (Rom.5:9; 1Thess.1:10).

2)   To Become A Fellow Partaker of the Gospel: This text can be understood in 2 different ways:

A.  To Win Others to Christ: this interpretation understands Paul in 1Cor.9:23 to be saying essentially the same thing he has been saying all along. “And I do all things for the sake of the gospel” means that he does all things for the sake of the progress of the gospel. He will eliminate anything in his personal life which will hinder the cause of the gospel.  Further “That I may become a fellow partaker of it” means “so that many others will become fellow partakers of the gospel along with me.  In this interpretation fellow needs to be emphasized.

B.  To Experience and Enjoy What The Gospel Promises: this interpretation emphasizes “that I may become”. In other words, Paul wants to win the crown of life, heaven, and eternal glory. The gospel promises these blessings to all true believers. Paul lives all of life for the sake of the progress of the gospel so that his life will demonstrate that God has begun a good work in Him and will be faithful to complete it to the end. Paul knows that if he does not persevere, he will not be saved. Notice 1Cor.9:27 “but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.”  Or 1Tim.4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”  The Scripture holds out the promise of everlasting life in glory to those who persevere to the end, NOT to those who make a good start, but fall away later.  Although both interpretations are contextually possible, I lean towards the 2^nd view, as it seems to be natural plain meaning of that text.

Application:

1.   Becoming “All Things To All Men” Does Not Mean Compromising Your Ethical Standards or the Message of the Gospel: This doesn’t mean that if your friend takes drugs, you will take drugs with him in order to reach him. Or, participate with him in sexual immorality, alcohol abuse, theft, etc. Nor does it mean dressing immodestly, or using profanity. It ALSO doesn’t mean compromising the truth of the message. The message of the gospel is offensive to the natural man. It reveals that he is a sinner in desperate need of grace, and that he must humble himself before Almighty God. That’s offensive to him. We can’t help that offense. It DOES mean that we eliminate any personal offenses that might get in the way of the gospel. It means we are willing to yield our rights so that others might really hear it.

2.   God Is Calling Us To Surrender Our Rights In Order To Minister To The Lost: In other words, we need to be willing to get out of our “comfort zone” for the sake of the lost. We live among pagans. In order to reach them, we need to be willing to go into their world. We need to be able to adapt our lifestyle to theirs. Of course we must never sin against God in this endeavor. That is the line we must not cross.

• If a non-Christian neighbor offers you a beer, this may mean you accept it and enjoy it with him. You might ordinarily not drink alcohol, but you have the liberty in Christ to do this, and might enable you to build a bridge with that neighbor. Having a beer is not sin, but it would be sin to drink 5 beers with him and get drunk!
• If you have a friend at work who is a homosexual or transvestite, you may reach out to them in Christian love, providing their needs, taking care of them when they are sick, etc. Now, you may be very uncomfortable with their lifestyle, but in order to “save” them, you surrender your rights to personal comfort.
• If you have a friend who is legalistic about being a vegetarian, you may restrict your diet to fruits and vegetables while with them because you love them and want them to be saved.

3.   God Is Calling Us To Do All Things For The Sake Of The Gospel: This means that we are passionate about winning the lost to Christ. It means we orient all of life around this supreme goal. We use our time, energy, money, and abilities to see others saved. It is quite evident that this was Paul’s passion.  It needs to be our passion as well. If you lack this passion, pray and ask God for it! He will be faithful to do it, because this is His will for you. Mk.8:35.

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