English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 9:21
21To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
1 Corinthians 9:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
- New International Version (NIV)To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
- New King James Version (NKJV)to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
- New Living Translation (NLT)When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
Context of 1 Corinthians 9:21
19For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 91 Corinthians 9:21 word by word
τοῖς ἀνόμοις ὡς ἄνομος, μὴ ὢν ἄνομος θεοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἔννομος Χριστοῦ, ἵνα κερδάνω τοὺς ἀνόμους.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- To them that are without lawἄνομοςanomos · lawlessG459
- asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
- beingεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- notμήmē · notG3361
- to Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- under the lawἔννομοςennomos · under lawG1772
- to ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- I might gainκερδαίνωkerdainō · to gainG2770
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:21
- Acts 15:28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
- Acts 16:4As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.
- Acts 21:25But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
- Romans 2:12For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.
- Galatians 2:3But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek.
- Galatians 3:2Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
- 1 Corinthians 7:19For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
- Psalms 119:32I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!
- Matthew 5:17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
- Romans 7:22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
- Romans 8:4in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
- Romans 13:8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
- Galatians 5:13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
- Ephesians 6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
- Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21To them that are without law - The Gentiles, who had no written law, though they had the law written in their hearts; see on Romans 2:15; (note). Being not without law to God - Instead of ͅ, To God, and ͅ, To Christ, the most important MSS. and versions have , Of God, and , Of Christ; being not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ. Them that are without law - Dr. Lightfoot thinks the Sadducees may be meant, and that in certain cases, as far…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21To them that are without law - To the Gentiles, who have not the law of Moses; see the note at Romans 2:12, note at Romans 2:14. As without law - Not practicing the special rites and ceremonies enjoined in the law of Moses. Not insisting on them, or urging them, but showing that the obligation to those rites had been done away; and that they were not binding, though when among the Jews I might still continue to observe them; see the notes at Galatians…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19-23Paul puts himself in the humble position of a servant in the household. He shows how much he was willing to change his lifestyle and behavior to match the people he preached to, in order to bring them to Christ.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. To them ... without law--that is, without revealed law: the heathen (compare Ro 2:12 with 1Co 9:15). as without law--not urging on them the ceremonies and "works of the law," but "the hearing of faith" (Ga 3:2). Also discoursing in their own manner, as at Athens, with arguments from their own poets (Ac 17:28). being not without law to God--"While thus conforming to others in matters indifferent, taking care not to be without law in relation to God…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries