1 Corinthians 9:20
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;
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγενόμην
I became
G1096
ἐγενόμην
I became
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
2 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
5 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
them that are under
G5259
ὑπὸ
them that are under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
11 of 20
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
12 of 20
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
13 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὑπὸ
them that are under
G5259
ὑπὸ
them that are under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
14 of 20
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
νόμον
the law
G3551
νόμον
the law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
15 of 20
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὸ
them that are under
G5259
ὑπὸ
them that are under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
18 of 20
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Cross References
Acts 16:3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.Galatians 5:18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.Acts 18:18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.Romans 11:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.Romans 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.Galatians 4:21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?Galatians 4:5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Historical Context
First-century Judaism was diverse: Pharisees emphasized oral tradition, Sadducees rejected resurrection, Essenes practiced asceticism. Paul engaged all groups, reasoning from shared Scripture (Acts 17:2) and observing customs that built relational bridges. His circumcision of Timothy (Acts 16:3) exemplifies this flexibility—Timothy's circumcision was evangelistic strategy, not theological compromise.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Paul live "as a Jew" to Jews without compromising justification by faith alone?
- What is the difference between cultural adaptation (1 Cor 9:20) and doctrinal compromise (Gal 2:11-14)?
- How does Paul's flexibility model contextualized gospel ministry today?
Analysis & Commentary
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; Paul begins illustrating his adaptive ministry. To Jews, he lived as a Jew—observing dietary laws (when helpful), attending synagogue, reasoning from Torah, and participating in Jewish festivals (Acts 18:18; 21:20-26). This was not hypocrisy but cultural sensitivity. Paul did not require Gentiles to become Jews (Gal 2), but he himself remained culturally Jewish to reach his kinsmen.
To them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; Paul explains: he lived "under the law" (observing Mosaic regulations) to reach law-observant Jews. He had freedom from the law's ceremonial requirements (Gal 3-4), yet voluntarily kept them when evangelizing Jews. This is missional wisdom: remove unnecessary offense, adapt culturally, and focus on the gospel. Paul distinguishes between doctrinal non-negotiables (justification by faith) and cultural flexibility (dietary customs, calendar observances).