1 Corinthians 9:19

1 Corinthians 9:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
• New International Version (NIV)Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;

Context of 1 Corinthians 9:19

17If I spread the Good News willingly, I’ll have a reward. But if I spread the Good News unwillingly, I’m ⌞only⌟ doing what I’ve been entrusted to do. 18So what is my reward? It is to spread the Good News free of charge. In that way I won’t use the rights that belong to those who spread the Good News. Although I’m free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them. 20I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to the laws in Moses’ Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I’m not subject to Moses’ Teachings. 21I became like a person who does not have Moses’ Teachings for those who don’t have those teachings. I did this to win them even though I have God’s teachings. I’m really subject to Christ’s teachings.

1 Corinthians 9:19 word by word

Ἐλεύθερος γὰρ ὢν ἐκ πάντων πᾶσιν ἐμαυτὸν ἐδούλωσα ἵνα τοὺς πλείονας κερδήσω·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• though I beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• freeἐλεύθεροςeleutheros · free/freedomG1658
• fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• yet have I madeδουλόωdouloō · to enslaveG1402
• myselfἐμαυτοῦemautou emautō emauton · myselfG1683
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• I might gainκερδαίνωkerdainō · to gainG2770
• the moreπλείων, πλεῖονpleiōn pleion pleon · greaterG4119

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 9:19

• 1 Corinthians 9:1Don’t you agree that I’m a free man? Don’t you agree that I’m an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord?
• Galatians 5:1Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm ⌞in this freedom⌟, and don’t become slaves again.
• 1 Corinthians 10:33I try to please everyone in every way. I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.
• Matthew 20:26But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant.
• John 13:14So if I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you must wash each other’s feet.
• Romans 1:14I have an obligation to those who are civilized and those who aren’t, to those who are wise and those who aren’t.
• Romans 15:2We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith.
• 2 Corinthians 4:5Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake.
• Galatians 5:13You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love.
• 1 Corinthians 9:20I became Jewish for Jewish people. I became subject to the laws in Moses’ Teachings for those who are subject to those laws. I did this to win them even though I’m not subject to Moses’ Teachings.
• 1 Corinthians 7:16How do you as a wife know whether you will save your husband? How do you as a husband know whether you will save your wife?
• Proverbs 11:30The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.
• Matthew 18:15“If a believer does something wrong, go, confront him when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won back that believer.
• Romans 11:14Perhaps I can make my people jealous and save some of them.
• 1 Timothy 4:16Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I’ve told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.
• 2 Timothy 2:10For that reason, I endure everything for the sake of those who have been chosen so that they, too, may receive salvation from Christ Jesus with glory that lasts forever.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 9:19

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19For though I be free - Although I am under no obligation to any man, yet I act as if every individual had a particular property in me, and as if I were the slave of the public.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19For though I be free - I am a freeman. I am under obligation to none. I am not bound to. give them my labors, and at the same time to toil for my own support. I have claims like others, and could urge them; and no man could demand that I should give myself to a life of servitude, and comply with their prejudices and wishes, as if I were a “slave,” in order to their conversion; compare 1 Corinthians 9:1; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 6:12. From all men…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. 1919. free from all men--that is, from the power of all men. gain the more--that is, as many of them ("all men") as possible. "Gain" is an appropriate expression in relation to a "reward" (1Th 2:19, 20); he therefore repeats it frequently (1Co 9:20-22).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 9:19

• Evil
• Expediency
• Minister, Christian
• Self-Denial
• Tact
• Unselfishness
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Crown
• Forbear
• Mastery
• Meekness
• Plow
• Wait
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Gain
• Galatians, Epistle to the
• Leviticus

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