1 Corinthians 9:19, 1 Corinthians 9:27 WEB

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19

For though I be free; rather, though I was free. He has voluntarily abandoned this freedom. The true rendering of the verse is, For being free from all men [ Galatians 1:10 ], I enslaved myself to all. In acting thus he obeyed his own principle of not abusing his liberty, but "by love serve one another" ( Galatians 5:13 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Ministerial pliancy and adaptation. In great natures we sometimes meet with a remarkable combination of firmness and yielding. To do a great work in this world, a man needs a powerful will, a resolution not easily moved, at the same time that he displays a flexibility of disposition, and a readiness to adapt himself to different characters and to changing circumstances. Without the determination which approaches obstinacy, he will not keep the one aim before him; without the pliancy needed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

The principle of accommodation. Paul's resolve to preach the gospel without charge was but one instance of the general rule which guided his life. Though under obligation to none, he yet became the servant of all—"all things to all men." He accommodated himself to the Jews ( 1 Corinthians 9:20 ), as when he circumcised Timothy ( Acts 16:3 ) and purified himself in the temple ( Acts 21:26 ). He accommodated himself to the Gentiles ( 1 Corinthians 9:21 ), by refusing to impose the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

For though I be free - I am a freeman. I am under obligation to none. I am not bound to. give them my labors, and at the same time to toil for my own support. I have claims like others, and could urge them; and no man could demand that I should give myself to a life of servitude, and comply with their prejudices and wishes, as if I were a “slave,” in order to their conversion; compare 1 Corinthians 9:1; see the notes at 1 Corinthians 6:12.From all men - (ἐκ πάντων ek pantōn). This may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 9:19

1 Corinthians 9:19. For though I be free from all men Not bound to do that which seems unlawful, inconvenient, or disadvantageous to myself, to please any man; yet have I made myself a servant unto all Addicting myself to the most fatiguing duties, that I might advance their happiness; or complying with the persuasions and inclinations of others in things indifferent. The original expression, εμαυτον εδουλωσα , is literally, I have enslaved myself to all; an expression peculiarly... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

Paul’s example (9:1-23)The principle Paul has been teaching in the previous chapter is that no matter what rights Christians may have, they should be willing to sacrifice those rights for the sake of others. He now demonstrates that principle with a number of personal examples.Paul has the same rights as others, and in fact more, since he is an apostle. But he does not always exercise his rights. Some people have misunderstood this and think that he is not an apostle at all. Paul points out... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 9:19

all = all things , i.e. restrictions of meats, &c. have . Omit. made myself servant = enslaved myself. App-190 . gain . Greek. kerdaino. See Acts 27:21 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.From this it is clear that it was not merely a matter of justifiable pride that Paul should have insisted on making the gospel free; but it was related to thwarting Satan, as noted under 1 Corinthians 9:15 and for the purpose of procuring a more abundant harvest in the gospel. Moreover, there can be little doubt that Paul's selfless actions actually did result in a mighty increase in the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

1 Corinthians 9:19. Servant unto all— This is very emphatical, and intimates that he acted with as self-denying a regard to their interests, and as much caution not to offend them, as if he were absolutely in their power,—as a slave is in that of his master. See Doddridge. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

19. free from all men—that is, from the power of all men. gain the more—that is, as many of them ("all men") as possible. "Gain" is an appropriate expression in relation to a "reward" (1 Thessalonians 2:19; 1 Thessalonians 2:20); he therefore repeats it frequently (1 Thessalonians 2:20- :). read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 9:19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 9:19

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 9:19

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