Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. New Living Translation Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. English Standard Version For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. Berean Standard Bible Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. Berean Literal Bible For being free from all, I myself became servant to all, so that I might win the more. King James Bible For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. New King James Version For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; New American Standard Bible For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. NASB 1995 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. NASB 1977 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. Legacy Standard Bible For though I am free from all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. Amplified Bible For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ]. Christian Standard Bible Although I am free from all and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. Holman Christian Standard Bible Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. American Standard Version For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. Contemporary English Version I am not anyone's slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so I can win as many people as possible. English Revised Version For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. GOD'S WORD® Translation Although I'm free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them. Good News Translation I am a free man, nobody's slave; but I make myself everybody's slave in order to win as many people as possible. International Standard Version Although I am free from everyone's expectations, I have made myself a servant to all of them to win more people. Majority Standard Bible Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. NET Bible For since I am free from all I can make myself a slave to all, in order to gain even more people. New Heart English Bible For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. Webster's Bible Translation For though I am free from all men, yet I have made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more. Weymouth New Testament Though free from all human control, I have made myself the slave of all in the hope of winning as many converts as possible. World English Bible For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor being free from all men, I made myself servant to all men, that the more I might gain; Berean Literal Bible For being free from all, I myself became servant to all, so that I might win the more. Young's Literal Translation for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain; Smith's Literal Translation For being free from all, I have subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. Catholic Public Domain Version For when I was a free man to all, I made myself the servant of all, so that I might gain all the more. New American Bible Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. New Revised Standard Version For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause I am free from all these things, I have served all men that I may gain many. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For as I am free from all these things, I have subjected myself to every person that I may gain the many. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor, though I am free from all men, yet have I made myself a servant to all, that I may gain the more. Godbey New Testament For being free from all, I rendered myself servant to all, that I may gain the more. Haweis New Testament For though I be free from all men, I have made myself the servant of all, that I might gain the more. Mace New Testament for tho' I am independent of all men, yet have I subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more. Weymouth New Testament Though free from all human control, I have made myself the slave of all in the hope of winning as many converts as possible. Worrell New Testament For, being free from all men, I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more. Worsley New Testament For though I am free from all, yet I have made myself a servant to all, that I might gain the more. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul the Servant to All18What then is my reward? That in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not use up my rights in preaching it. 19Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To 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.… Cross References Philippians 2:5-7 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: / Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, / but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— / just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. Romans 15:1-3 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. / For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. John 13:14-15 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. / I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you. Matthew 23:11-12 The greatest among you shall be your servant. / For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 22:26-27 But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves. Romans 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 1 Peter 2:16 Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” John 8:32-36 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” / “We are Abraham’s descendants,” they answered. “We have never been slaves to anyone. How can You say we will be set free?” / Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ... Romans 14:19-21 So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. / Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. / It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble. Treasury of Scripture For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more. I be. 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? Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. I made. 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. Matthew 20:26-28 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; … John 13:14,15 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet… that. 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; … 1 Corinthians 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. Jump to Previous Belong Bondage Bondman Control Converts Free Gain Hope Human Possible Salvation Servant Slave Win WinningJump to Next Belong Bondage Bondman Control Converts Free Gain Hope Human Possible Salvation Servant Slave Win Winning1 Corinthians 9 1. He shows his liberty;7. and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel; 15. yet that himself has of his own accord abstained, 18. to be neither chargeable unto them, 22. nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent. 24. Our life is like unto a race. Though I am free of obligation to anyone Paul begins by asserting his freedom, which is rooted in his identity in Christ. As an apostle, he is not bound by human authority or traditions. This freedom is a recurring theme in Paul's letters, emphasizing the believer's liberation from the law (Galatians 5:1). Historically, Corinth was a city known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which may have pressured individuals to conform. Paul’s statement highlights his independence from these societal expectations. I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and extensive writings. He was a Roman citizen and a former Pharisee who converted to Christianity after an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and diversity. It was a significant center for trade and culture, and the church in Corinth faced many challenges related to its environment, including issues of morality and division. 3. The Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, this early Christian community struggled with various issues, including divisions, immorality, and questions about Christian freedom and responsibility. Teaching Points Understanding Christian FreedomPaul emphasizes that true Christian freedom is not about self-indulgence but about the ability to serve others selflessly. This freedom allows believers to prioritize the needs of others over their own rights. The Heart of Servanthood By choosing to become a "slave to everyone," Paul models the heart of servanthood. Christians are called to adopt a similar attitude, seeking to serve others in love and humility, following the example of Christ. Evangelistic Purpose Paul's ultimate goal in becoming a servant to all is to "win as many as possible" for Christ. This highlights the importance of evangelism and the need to adapt our approach to reach different people effectively. Cultural Sensitivity in Ministry Paul's willingness to adapt to different cultural contexts without compromising the Gospel message teaches us the importance of being culturally sensitive and relevant in our ministry efforts.(19) For.--The question is here answered. His reward was to gain the greater number of converts--Jews (1Corinthians 9:20), Gentiles (1Corinthians 9:21), weak ones (1Corinthians 9:22). The only reward he sought for or looked for in adopting that course of conduct, for pursuing which they taunted him with selfishness, was, after all, their good. The word "For," introducing the answer, would seem to imply that the reward must be a greater one. "For" though an Apostle, I became a slave of all that I might gain the greater number. The words "greater number" probably include the two ideas, viz., a greater number than he could have gained had he used his rights as an Apostle, and also a greater number of converts than was gained by any other Apostle. Verse 19. - For though I be free; rather, though I was free. He has voluntarily abandoned this freedom. The true rendering of the verse is, For being free from all men [Galatians 1:10], I enslaved myself to all. In acting thus he obeyed his own principle of not abusing his liberty, but "by love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Thoughγὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. I am ὢν (ōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. free of obligation Ἐλεύθερος (Eleutheros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1658: Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt. to ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. anyone, πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. I make myself a slave ἐδούλωσα (edoulōsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1402: To enslave. From doulos; to enslave. to everyone, πᾶσιν (pasin) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. to ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. win κερδήσω (kerdēsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 2770: To gain, acquire, win (over), avoid loss. From kerdos; to gain. as many as possible. πλείονας (pleionas) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural - Comparative Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion. Links 1 Corinthians 9:19 NIV1 Corinthians 9:19 NLT 1 Corinthians 9:19 ESV 1 Corinthians 9:19 NASB 1 Corinthians 9:19 KJV 1 Corinthians 9:19 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 9:19 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 9:19 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 9:19 French Bible 1 Corinthians 9:19 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I was free from all (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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