1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1 Corinthians 9:19 in other translations
| BSB | Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. |
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| WEB | For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. |
| ASV | For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. |
| YLT | for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain; |
| DARBY | For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most possible. |
| BBE | For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation. |
| Webster | For though I am free from all men, yet I have made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more. |
What does 1 Corinthians 9:19 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
From all men. εκπαντων. This may either refer to all persons or to all things. The word men is not in the original. The connexion, however, seems to fix the signification to persons. "I am a freeman. And although I have conducted [myself] like a slave, yet it has been done voluntarily."
I have made myself servant unto all. Greek, "I have enslaved myself (εμαυτονεδουλωσα) unto all." That is,
(1.) I labour for them, or in their service, and to promote their welfare.
(2.) I do it, as the slave does, without reward or hire. I am not paid for it, but submit to the toil, and do it without receiving pay.
(3.) Like the slave who wishes to gratify his master, or who is compelled from the necessity of the case, I comply with the prejudices, habits, customs, and opinions of others as far as I can with a good conscience. The slave is subject to the master's will. That will must be obeyed. The whims, prejudices, caprices of the master must be submitted to, even if they are mere caprice, and wholly unreasonable. So Paul says that he had voluntarily put himself into this condition, a condition making it necessary for him to suit himself to the opinions, prejudices, caprices, and feelings of all men, so far as he could do it with a good conscience, in order that he might save them. We are not to understand here that Paul embraced any opinions which were false in order to do this, or that he submitted to anything which is morally wrong. But he complied with their customs, and habits, and feelings, as far as it could lawfully be done. He did not needlessly offend them, or run counter to their prejudices.
That I might gain the more. That I might gain more to Christ; that I might be the means of saving more souls. What a noble instance of self-denial and true greatness is here! How worthy of religion! How elevated the conduct! How magnanimous, and how benevolent! No man would do this who had not a greatness of intellect that would rise above narrow prejudices; and who had not a nobleness of heart that would seek at personal sacrifice the happiness of all men. It is said that not a few early Christians, in illustration of this principle of conduct, actually sold themselves into slavery in order that they might have access to and benefit slaves--an act to which nothing would prompt a man but the religion of the cross. Comp. Rom 1:14.
(a) "servant" Rom 1:14, Gal 5:13
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
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…
1 Corinthians 9:19 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for 1 Corinthians 9:19
- Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
- Matthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
- 1 Corinthians 10:33
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
- James 5:19-20
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
- Matthew 20:26-28
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
- 1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
- 2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
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; 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. 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.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- Romans 15:2
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
- Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
- 1 Corinthians 9:20
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;
1 Corinthians 9:19 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Por lo cual, siendo libre para con todos, me he hecho siervo de todos por ganar á más. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Car, étant libre à l’égard de tous, je me suis asservi à tous, afin de gagner le plus de gens; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn wiewohl ich von allen frei bin, habe ich mich allen zum Sklaven gemacht, auf daß ich so viele wie möglich gewinne. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Nam cum liber essem ex omnibus, omnium me servum feci, ut plures lucrifacerem. |