1 Corinthians 9:21

Verse

To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.

American Standard Version (1901)

to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.

Bible in Basic English

To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.

Douay-Rheims 1899

To them that are under the law, as if I were under the law, (whereas myself was not under the law,) that I might gain them that were under the law. To them that were without the law, as if I were without the law, (whereas I was not without the law of God, but was in the law of Christ,) that I might gain them that were without the law.

Free Bible Version

To those who don't operate according to the law, I behave like them, (though not disregarding God's law, but operating under the law of Christ), so that I might gain those who don't observe the law.

Geneva Bible 1599

To them that are without Lawe, as though I were without Lawe, (when I am not without Lawe as pertaining to God, but am in the Lawe through Christ) that I may winne them that are without Lawe:

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

When I was with ◄non-Jews/those who do not know those laws►, I did the things that non-Jews think that people should do, in order that I might convince some of them to trust in Christ. I do not mean that I disobey God’s laws. No, I obey the things that Christ commanded us to do.

Unlocked Literal Bible

To those outside the law, I became like one outside the law, although I was not outside the law of God myself, but under the law of Christ. I did this so that I may win those outside the law.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

to those without law, as without law — (not being without law to God, but within law to Christ) — that I might gain those without law;

Context

Paul the Servant to All

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.²¹To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

Sermons

The Law in the Hand of Christ.

John Gill

Summary

In this verse, the apostle Paul explains his approach to sharing the Gospel with different groups of people. He adapts his behavior and communication style to meet them where they are, whether they are under the law, without the law, or weak in faith. Paul's flexibility and willingness to relate to others in diverse ways demonstrate his commitment to reaching all people with the message of Christ. This verse highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and contextualization in effectively spreading the Good News.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

To them that are without law - The Gentiles, who had no written law, though they had the law written in their hearts; see on Rom 2:15 (note). Being not without law to God - Instead of Θεῳ, To God, and Χριστῳ, To Christ, the most important MSS. and versions have Θεου, Of God, and Χριστου, 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 as the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion were concerned, he might conform himself to them, not observing such rites and ceremonies, as it is well known that they disregarded them; for the doctor cannot see how the apostle could conform himself in any thing to them that were without law, i.e. the heathen. But, 1. It is not likely that the apostle could conform himself to the Sadducees; for what success could he expect among a people who denied the resurrection, and consequently a future world, a day of judgment, and all rewards and punishments? 2. He might among the heathen appear as if he were not a Jew, and discourse with them on the great principles of that eternal law, the outlines of which had been written in their hearts, in order to show them the necessity of embracing that Gospel which was the power of God unto salvation to every one that believed.

1 Corinthians 9:21

Paul the Servant to All

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.

American Standard Version (1901)

to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.

Bible in Basic English

To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Free Bible Version

To those who don't operate according to the law, I behave like them, (though not disregarding God's law, but operating under the law of Christ), so that I might gain those who don't observe the law.

Geneva Bible 1599

To them that are without Lawe, as though I were without Lawe, (when I am not without Lawe as pertaining to God, but am in the Lawe through Christ) that I may winne them that are without Lawe:

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

To those outside the law, I became like one outside the law, although I was not outside the law of God myself, but under the law of Christ. I did this so that I may win those outside the law.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

to those without law, as without law — (not being without law to God, but within law to Christ) — that I might gain those without law;

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:21

Verse

Context

Paul the Servant to All

Sermons

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:21

Paul the Servant to All

The Law in the Hand of Christ.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary