ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN

1 Corinthians 9:19-22 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 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.

If only the world was not overridden with "preachers and teachers" that used their speaking abilities and persuasion, and even teaching error, for their self-glorifying and monetary gain. Although the Lord (hath) ordained, that they, which preach the gospel should live of the gospel (Vs. 14), yet if their incentive to preach is for self-gain, rather than godly-gain, then their motive uses Jesus Christ in order to be served, rather that to serve the cause of Christ. Pulpits, airwaves, and television time slots, are filled with religious "advertising commercials" sponsored by false teachers that persuade the unknowing, gullible public to send them money in order to satisfy their personal, covetous greed. The very book from which they profess to "preach the word of God," exposes them as false teachers that abuse ...the gospel of God and His Son, Jesus Christ (See Vs. 18). To willingly and freely serve the Savior, is the example left by the apostle Paul. As the lesson text begins, Paul said to the church at Corinth, I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more - that is, to save more souls. Self-denial brought credibility to Paul as he preached the gospel message of Christ. To emulate Paul's example is indeed commendable.

Having explained his motive to preach the gospel of Christ as that of a servant of God, Paul now explains how his preaching brought salvation to all mankind.He made himself to be all things to all men, that (he) might by all means save some (Vs. 22). He said that, unto the Jew I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews. Can this attitude of Paul be considered as hypocritical? Not so! Paul had already illustrated that personal opinions, and the actions that result from them, have no consequence in gaining eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. As long as they do not compromise God's commandments, they neither make one a better Christian, nor a worse follower of Christ.

Paul respected the opinion of Jews regarding the eating of meats offered to idols (See Chap. 8). Although he knew that doing so made a Christian neither better nor worse, yet he refused to offend them in this manner. Closing this chapter Paul wrote, ...if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Paul taught that the Jewish requirement for circumcision was abolished when New Testament Christianity was established (Eph. 2:11-16). Indeed, there was no spiritual advantage for a Christian to be circumcised (Gal. 5:1-4). Yet, on the other hand, we know that Paul had Timothy circumcised in order bring the Jewish people to Christ (Acts 16:1-3) Although there was no scriptural reason to do so, in order not to offend, Paul even purified himself as he entered the temple to preach to his Jewish brethren (Acts 21:26). Paul said unto the Jew I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews.

To the Gentiles, those that were not obligated to observe the Law of Moses, Paul became as a Gentile. Why? That I might gain them that are without (the Jewish) law. Although Paul observed some of the rites and ceremonies of the Jews, he did so to gain them to Christ. To the Gentiles he assured them that the ceremonial law of the Jews ceased with the coming of Christ, and that they had no obligation to observe it in any manner. Observing God's law through Christ is necessary for eternal salvation. However, customs and opinions of indifference may be observed for conscience sake unless offensive to others.

Also, To the weak became I as the weak, that I might gain the weak. To the new-born Christian; to those that had not gained a full understanding of God's word; to those that lacked complete knowledge on how they should conduct their lives as a Christian, Paul demonstrated his empathy, understanding, and consolation, that he may teach them the full gospel message of Christ, and do so in a way that they were not offended.

Without compromising God's will in any way, Paul became all things to all men, that (he) might by all means save some. This assures us that God's word is not offensive unless preachers make it so!