I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. …To those outside the law I became as one outside the law that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. – 1st Corinthians 9:19-22
Today this sounds insincere – probably because of the word “win”, as if he is saying he pretends to be different things to different people to manipulate them. But it would be a mistake to think that.
He was not saying he pretended to be something wasn’t nor did he try to manipulate. Paul was a Jew so he could honestly relate to those who were Jewish – a jew can serve Christ and still be a jew, Paul did. He was free from legalism (or “The Law”) so he could honestly relate to those who had no religious affiliation – they, too, can follow Christ’s laws, Paul did. And he certainly knew weekness, completely relying on Christ to give him life – the weak can follow Christ in their weekness, Paul did.
Paul is saying he utilized his life experiences to bring the comfort and salvation of Jesus to all he met, regardless of their place in life’s menagerie.
Related Post: Why Me? – May 9, 2011
– fritz@langgang.com
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 