1 Corinthians 9:19
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
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;
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.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
- KJV
- For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
- WEB
- For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
- ASV
- For though I was free from all [men,] I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.
- DARBY
- For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most [possible].
- BLB
- For being free from all, I myself became a slave to all, so that I might gain the more.
- ÅB
- For om jeg enn er fri fra alle, har jeg dog selv gjort meg til tjener for alle, for å vinne de fleste,
- OTB
- For selv om jeg er fri fra alle mennesker, har jeg gjort meg til en tjener for alle, for at jeg kan vinne flere.
- B1930
- For om jeg enn er fri fra alle, har jeg dog selv gjort mig til tjener for alle, for å vinne de fleste,
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Read in contextMatthew 18:15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
Read in context1 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.
Read in contextJames 5:19–20
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Read in contextMatthew 20:26–28
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Read in context1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Read in context2 Timothy 2:10
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Read in context1 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;
Read in context