1 Corinthians 9:20-21
What is written? (ESV)
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
What does it say?
To Jews I [Paul] was like a Jew in order to influence them. To those under the [Mosiac] law I became like one under the law in order to influence them (though I of course wasn’t actually under the law). To those Gentiles not under the law I became like them (though never being outside the law of God but always under the law of Christ) that I might win over those outside the law.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is admonishing the Corinthians throughout 8:1-11:1 to temper their “rights” and freedoms in Christ for the sake of others’ conscience. His main point through these chapters is that they should “endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ” (9:12).
How 1 Corinthians 9:20-21 is applied across Bible answers
Are Christians under the Ten Commandments today?
Paul makes the point that he came to "win" both Jews and Gentiles while stating clearly that he was not "under the law" (Mosaic Law with the ten commandments), but under the "law of Christ" (both of which where under and never superseding the "law of God").
