SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:20
Y soy hecho a los judíos como judío, por ganar a los judíos; a los que estn sujetos a la ley, como sujeto a la ley, por ganar a los que estn sujetos a la ley;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:20
Verse 20. Unto the Jews I became as a Jew] In Acts xvi. 3, we find that for the sake of the unconverted Jews he circumcised Timothy. See the note there. To them that are under the law] To those who considered themselves still under obligation to observe its rites and ceremonies, though they had in the main embraced the Gospel, he became as if under the same obligations; and therefore purified himself in the temple, as we find related, Acts xxi. 26, where also see the notes.
After the first clause, to them that are under the law as under the law, the following words, mhwn autov upo nomon, not being myself under the law, are added by ABCDEFG, several others; the later Syriac, Sahidic, Armenian, Vulgate, and all the Itala; Cyril, Chrysostom, Damascenus, and others; and on this evidence Griesbach has received them into the text.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew , etc.] That is, in religion; or with respect to some religious observances peculiar to the Jews, for he himself was really a Jew by nature; who became as one unto them in this sense, when he for their sakes circumcised Timothy at Derbe, or Lystra, purified himself at Jerusalem, shaved his head at Cenchrea, observed their sabbath, and abstained from some sorts of food forbidden in the law; and his end in so doing was, not to confirm them in such usages, but that he might hereby have the greater influence over them, and by little and little bring them off of these things, or, as he says, that I might gain the Jews ; bring them over to Christ, and off of a dependence on their own righteousness, for justification before God: to them that are under the law, as under the law ; the Vulgate Latin version adds, when I was not under the law, and so the Alexandrian copy and some others; by whom seem to be meant the same persons as before; though some have thought that the Samaritans are intended, and others the Sadducees: but if any as distinct from the former are designed, they should rather seem to be the converted Jews; who though they believed in Christ, looked upon themselves to be still under the law, and therefore observed it; with whom the apostle on certain occasions complied, as if he was under it too, that he might have the greater share in their affections and credit; hoping in time that by such means he might be able to prevail upon them to relinquish these things, and wholly attend to the Gospel and ordinances of Christ, or, as he says, that I might gain them that are under the law ; meaning the Jews, who were observers of the law of Moses.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 15-23 - It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Chris and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke take off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the stud and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did no stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, an against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must no allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εγενομην 1096 5633 V-2ADI-1S τοις 3588 T-DPM ιουδαιοις 2453 A-DPM ως 5613 ADV ιουδαιος 2453 A-NSM ινα 2443 CONJ ιουδαιους 2453 A-APM κερδησω 2770 5661 V-AAS-1S τοις 3588 T-DPM υπο 5259 PREP νομον 3551 N-ASM ως 5613 ADV υπο 5259 PREP νομον 3551 N-ASM ινα 2443 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM υπο 5259 PREP νομον 3551 N-ASM κερδησω 2770 5661 V-AAS-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
20. Them that are under the law. The distinction between this class and Jews is differently explained. Some, Jews, viewed nationally; under the law, viewed religiously. Others, Jews by origin, and Gentile proselytes. Others understand by those under the law, rigid Jews, Pharisees. The first explanation seems preferable.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:20 {As a Jew} (hws ioudaios). He was a Jew and was not ashamed of it (#Ac 18:18; 21:26). {Not being myself under the law} (me wn autos hupo nomon). He was emancipated from the law as a means of salvation, yet he knew how to speak to them because of his former beliefs and life with them (#Ga 4:21). He knew how to put the gospel to them without compromise and without offence.
