1 Corinthians 9:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
G459
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
Strong's:
G459
Word #:
2 of 14
lawless, i.e., (negatively) not subject to (the jewish) law; (by implication, a gentile), or (positively) wicked
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
3 of 14
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
G459
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
Strong's:
G459
Word #:
4 of 14
lawless, i.e., (negatively) not subject to (the jewish) law; (by implication, a gentile), or (positively) wicked
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 14
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
G459
ἀνόμους·
To them that are without law
Strong's:
G459
Word #:
7 of 14
lawless, i.e., (negatively) not subject to (the jewish) law; (by implication, a gentile), or (positively) wicked
θεῷ
to God
G2316
θεῷ
to God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἔννομος
under the law
G1772
ἔννομος
under the law
Strong's:
G1772
Word #:
10 of 14
(subjectively) legal, or (objectively) subject to
Cross References
Romans 2:12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;Romans 2:14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:Galatians 3:2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Historical Context
Gentile converts came from pagan backgrounds with no knowledge of Torah. Requiring circumcision and kosher laws would have erected insurmountable barriers (Acts 15:10). The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) affirmed that Gentiles need not become culturally Jewish to be saved. Paul applied this principle rigorously, refusing to burden Gentile churches with Jewish ceremonialism while maintaining gospel ethics.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul balance freedom from Mosaic law with submission to Christ's law?
- What is the "law of Christ" that governs believers freed from Torah?
- How does this verse prevent both legalism (imposing cultural rules) and antinomianism (rejecting moral authority)?
Analysis & Commentary
To them that are without law, as without law, When ministering to Gentiles unfamiliar with Torah, Paul did not impose Jewish customs. He ate with Gentiles (Gal 2:12), ignored kosher laws, and dismissed calendar observances as non-binding (Col 2:16-17). This offended Jewish Christians (Acts 15; Gal 2) but opened gospel access to the nations.
(Being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) Crucial qualification: Paul is not antinomian. He is not "lawless" (Greek anomos, ἄνομος) before God; he is "en-lawed to Christ" (Greek ennomos Christou, ἔννομος Χριστοῦ). Paul lives under Christ's moral authority—the "law of Christ" (Gal 6:2), fulfilled in love (Rom 13:8-10). He is free from Mosaic ceremonial law but bound to Christ's ethical will. This preserves moral accountability while granting cultural flexibility.