1 Corinthians 9:21 - Exposition

To them that are without law, as without law. In other words, I so far became to the heathen as a heathen ( Romans 2:12 ), that I never wilfully insulted their beliefs ( Acts 19:1-41 :87) nor shocked their prejudices, but on the contrary, judged them with perfect forbearance ( Acts 17:30 ) and treated them with invariable courtesy. St, Paul tried to look at every subject, so far as he could do so innocently, from 'their point of view ( Acts 17:1-34 .). He defended their gospel liberty, and had intercourse with Gentile converts on terms of perfect equality ( Galatians 2:12 ). Not without law to God. Not even "without law" ( anomos ) Much less "opposed to law" ( antiheroes ) , though free from it as a bondage ( Galatians 2:19 ). The need for this qualification is shown by the fact that in the Clementine writings, in the spurious letter of Peter to James, St. Paul is surreptitiously calumniated as "the lawless one ." Even the Gentiles were "not without law to God" ( Romans 2:14 , Romans 2:15 ). So that St. Paul is here using language which base opponents might distort, but which the common sense of honest readers would prevent them from misinterpreting.