1 Corinthians 9 · Verse 20

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 9:20, King James Version

1 Corinthians 9:20 in other translations

BSBTo 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.
WEBTo the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;
ASVAnd to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
YLTand I became to the Jews as a Jew, that Jews I might gain; to those under law as under law, that those under law I might gain;
DARBYAnd I became to the Jews as a Jew, in order that I might gain the Jews: to those under law, as under law, not being myself under law, in order that I might gain those under law:
BBEAnd to the Jews I was as a Jew, so that I might give the good news to them; to those under the law I was the same, not as being myself under the law, but so that I might give the good news to those under the law.
WebsterAnd to 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;

What does 1 Corinthians 9:20 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
20. I became as a Jew--in things not defined by the law, but by Jewish usage. Not Judaizing in essentials, but in matters where there was no compromise of principle (compare Ac 16:3; 21:20-26); an undesigned coincidence between the history and the Epistle, and so a sure proof of genuineness. to them that are under the law, as under the law--in things defined by the law; such as ceremonies not then repugnant to Christianity. Perhaps the reason for distinguishing this class from the former is that Paul himself belonged nationally to "the Jews," but did not in creed belong to the class of "them that are under the law." This view is confirmed by the reading inserted here by the oldest manuscripts, versions, and Fathers, "not being (that is, parenthetically, 'not that I am') myself under the law."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 20. And unto the Jews. In this verse, and the two following, Paul states more at length the conduct which he had exhibited, and to which he refers in 1Cor 9:19. He had shown this conduct to all classes of men. He had preached much to his own countrymen, and had evinced these principles there.

I became as a Jew. I complied with their rites, customs, prejudices, as far as I could with a good conscience. I did not needlessly offend them. I did not attack and oppose their views, when there was no danger that my conduct should be mistaken. For a full illustration of Paul's conduct in this respect, and the principles which influenced him, Acts 16:3; Acts 18:18; Acts 21:21; also Acts 21:22-27 Acts 23:1; also Acts 23:5-6.

To those that are under the law. This I understand as another form of saying that he conformed to the rites, customs, and even prejudices of the Jews. The phrase, "under the law," means undoubtedly the law of Moses; and probably he here refers particularly to those Jews who lived in the land of Judea, as being more immediately and entirely under the law of Moses, than those who lived among the Gentiles.

As under the law. That is, I conformed to their rites and customs as far as I could do it. I did not violate them unnecessarily. I did not disregard them for the purpose of offending them; nor refuse to observe them when it could be done with a good conscience. There can be no doubt that Paul, when he was in Judea, submitted himself to the laws, and lived in conformity with them.

That I might gain. That I might obtain their confidence and affection. That I might not outrage their feelings, excite their prejudices, and provoke them to anger; and that I might thus have access to their minds, and be the means of converting them to the Christian faith.

(b) "unto the Jews" Acts 16:3, 21:23-26

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 20 Unto the Jews I became as a Jew - In Act 16:3, we find that for the sake of the unconverted Jews he circumcised Timothy. See the note on Act 16:3. To them that are under the law - To those who considered themselves still under obligation to observe its rites and ceremonies, though they had in the main embraced the Gospel, he became as if under the same obligations; and therefore purified himself in the temple, as we find related, Act 21:26 (note). After the first clause, to them that are under the law as under the law, the following words, μη ων αυτος ὑπο νομον, not being myself under the law, are added by ABCDEFG, several others; the later Syriac, Sahidic, Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala; Cyril, Chrysostom, Damascenus, and others; and on this evidence Griesbach has received them into the text.

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…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23 →

1 Corinthians 9:20 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.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐγενόμηνegenomēnI becameG1096
τοῖςtoisto theG3588
ἸουδαίοιςIoudaioisJewsG2453
ὡςhōslikeG5613
ἸουδαῖοςIoudaiosa JewG2453
ἵναinaso thatG2443
ἸουδαίουςIoudaiousJewsG2453
κερδήσω·kerdēsōI may win;G2770
τοῖςtoisTo thoseG3588
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
νόμονnomon[the] LawG3551
ὡςhōsasG5613
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
νόμον,nomon[the] lawG3551
μὴmēnotG3361
ὢνōnbeingG1510
αὐτὸςautosmyselfG846
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
νόμον,nomon[the] lawG3551
ἵναinaso thatG2443
τοὺςtousthoseG3588
ὑπὸhupounderG5259
νόμονnomon[the] lawG3551
κερδήσω·kerdēsōI may win;G2770

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 9:20

  • Acts 16:3

    Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

  • Galatians 5:18

    But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

  • Acts 21:20-26

    And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; …

  • Acts 17:2-3

    And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

  • Acts 18:18

    And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

  • Romans 3:19

    Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

  • Galatians 4:21

    Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

  • Romans 11:14

    If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

  • Galatians 4:5

    To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

  • Romans 6:14-15

    For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
unto.
Ac 16:3; 17:2,3; 18:18; 21:20-26
are under.
Ro 3:19; 6:14,15; Ga 4:5,21; 5:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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 9:21

    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.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:20 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Heme hecho á los Judíos como Judío, por ganar á los Judíos; á los que están sujetos á la ley (aunque yo no sea sujeto á la ley) como sujeto á la ley, por ganar á los que están sujetos á la ley;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et pour les Juifs, je suis devenu comme Juif, afin de gagner les Juifs; pour ceux qui étaient sous la loi, comme si j’étais sous la loi, n’étant pas moi-même sous la loi, afin de gagner ceux qui étaient sous la loi;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und ich bin den Juden geworden wie ein Jude, auf daß ich die Juden gewinne; denen, die unter Gesetz sind, wie unter Gesetz, auf daß ich die, welche unter Gesetz sind, gewinne;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et factus sum Judæis tamquam Judæus, ut Judæos lucrarer: