1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

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Word by word — the Greek

Word	Greek	Strong’s	Meaning
weak	ἀσθενέσιν asthenesin	G772	strengthless (in various applications · adjective — dative plural masculine
I	ἐγενόμην egenomēn	G1096	to cause to be ("gen"-erate) · verb — second aorist middle deponent indicative, 1st person singular
as	ὡς hōs	G5613	which how · particle
weak	ἀσθενὴς asthenēs	G772	strengthless (in various applications · adjective — nominative singular masculine
that	ἵνα ina	G2443	compare G3588 (ὁ)) · conjunction
gain	κερδήσω· kerdēsō	G2770	to gain (literally or figuratively) · verb — aorist active subjunctive, 1st person singular
weak	ἀσθενεῖς astheneis	G772	strengthless (in various applications · adjective — accusative plural masculine
made	γέγονα gegona	G1096	to cause to be ("gen"-erate) · verb — second perfect active indicative, 1st person singular
things	πᾶσιν pasin	G3956	all · adjective — dative plural masculine
all	πάντα panta	G3956	all · adjective — nominative plural neuter
that	ἵνα ina	G2443	compare G3588 (ὁ)) · conjunction
might	σώσω. sōsō	G4982	to save · verb — aorist active subjunctive, 1st person singular
means	πάντως pantōs	G3843	entirely · adverb
save	σώζω sṓzō	G4982	to save
some	τινὰς tinas	G5100	some or any person or object · indefinite pronoun — accusative plural masculine

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890/1894), public domain; digitized by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). KJV word tagging: eBible.org (public domain). Original-language text, parsing and brief lexicon: STEPBible.org data from Tyndale House, Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
Romans 11:14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest…
1 Corinthians 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1 Corinthians 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

Cross-references from OpenBible.info (CC BY), in the lineage of the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (public domain).

Commentary

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

The apostle takes occasion from what he had before discoursed to mention some other instances of his self-denial and parting with his liberty for the benefit of others. I. He asserts his liberty (Co1 9:19): Though I be free from all men. He was free-born, a citizen of Rome. He was in bondage to none, nor depended upon any for his subsistence; yet he made himself a servant to all, that he might gain the more. He behaved as a servant; he laboured for their good as a servant; he was careful to please, as a servant to his master; he acted in many cases as if he had no privileges; and this that he might gain the more, or make the more converts to Christianity. He made himself a servant, that they…

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:22

gain the weak--that is, establish, instead of being a stumbling-block to inexperienced Christians (Co1 8:7) Rom 14:1, "Weak in the faith." ALFORD thinks the "weak" are not Christians at all, for these have been already "won"; but those outside the Church, who are yet "without strength" to believe (Rom 5:6). But when "weak" Christians are by the condescending love of stronger brethren kept from falling from faith, they are well said to be "gained" or won. by all means . . . some--The gain of even "some" is worth the expenditure of "all means." He conformed himself to the feelings of each in the several classes, that out of them all he might gain some.

Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak became I as weak - Those who were conscientiously scrupulous, even in respect to lawful things. I am made all things to all men - I assumed every shape and form consistent with innocency and perfect integrity; giving up my own will, my own way, my own ease, my own pleasure, and my own profit, that I might save the souls of all. Let those who plead for the system of accommodation on the example of St. Paul, attend to the end he had in view, and the manner in which he pursued that end. It was not to get money, influence, or honor, but to save Souls! It was not to get ease but to increase his labors. It was not to save his life, but rather that it should be a sacrifice for the good…

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The Church Fathers

Paul became weak by abstaining from things which would scandalize the weak.
— Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES

Everywhere the Savior becomes "all things to all men." To the hungry, bread; to the thirsty, water; to the dead, resurrection; to the sick, a physician; to sinners, redemption.
— Cyril of Jerusalem, SERMON ON THE PARALYTIC 10

This is correctly interpreted to mean that he, not by lying but by sympathy, brought it about that he enabled their con-version by his own great love which made it seem as though he himself were afflicted with that evil of which he wished to heal them.
— Augustine of Hippo, On Lying 21

The Church Fathers: public-domain translations (Ante-Nicene and Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers), verse-indexed by SermonIndex (CC BY 4.0).

Dictionary and topics

Diplomacy · General scriptures concerning — General scriptures concerning
Evil · .In supporting himself — .In supporting himself
Expediency · General scriptures concerning — General scriptures concerning
Salvation · Ministers: Should use self-denial to lead others to — Ministers: Should use self-denial to lead others to
Selfishness · Ministers should be devoid of — Ministers should be devoid of
Tact · In preaching — In preaching

Dictionary: Easton's (1897) and Smith's (1863), public domain. Topics: Nave's Topical Bible (1896) and Torrey's Topical Textbook (1897), public domain. Both as parsed by NEUU (CC BY 4.0).

1 Corinthians 9:22

Word by word — the Greek

Cross-references

Commentary

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:22

Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 9:22

The Church Fathers

Dictionary and topics

1 Corinthians 9:22

Word by word — the Greek

Cross-references

Commentary

Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 9:22

Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 9:22

The Church Fathers

Dictionary and topics

John Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:22

John Calvin on 1 Corinthians 9:13-22

Tyndale Open Study Notes on 1 Corinthians 9:19-23