SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:22
Soy hecho a los dbiles como dbil, por ganar a los dbiles; a todos soy hecho todo, por hacer salvos a todos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 9:22
Verse 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 honour, but to save SOULS! It was not to get ease but to increase his labours. It was not to save his life, but rather that it should be a sacrifice for the good of immortal souls! A parallel saying to this of St. Paul has been quoted from Achilles Tatius, lib. v., cap. xix., where Clitophon says, on having received a letter from Leucippe: toutoiv entucwn pantaeginomhn omou, aneflegomhn, wcriwn, eqaumazon, hpistoun, ecatron, hcqomhn? "When I read the contents, I became all things at once; I was inflamed, I grew pale, I was struck with wonder; I doubted, I rejoiced, became sad." The same form of speech is frequent among Greek writers. I think this casts some light on the apostle's meaning.
That I might by all means save some.] On this clause there are some very important readings found in the MSS. and versions. Instead of pantwv tinav swsw, that I might by all means save some; pantav swsw, that I might save all, is the reading of DEFG, Syriac, Vulgate, AEthiopic, all the Itala, and several of the fathers. This reading Bishop Pearce prefers, because it is more agreeable to St. Paul's meaning here, and exactly agrees with what he says, chap. x. 33, and makes his design more extensive and noble. Wakefield also prefers this reading.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 22. To the weak became I as weak , etc.] That is, to weak Christians, who were weak in faith, and had not such clear knowledge of Gospel liberty, and therefore scrupled the eating of some sorts of meat, and particularly meats offered to idols; and the apostle so far consulted the peace and edification of these weak brethren, and so far complied with them, and became as one of them, that, rather than offend them, he determined to eat no meat while the world stood: that I might gain the weak ; promote their edification and welfare, who otherwise might be stumbled, be in danger of falling from, and laid under a temptation to desert the faith of the Gospel: I am made all things to all men ; which is to be understood, as in all the other instances of his being so, not in cases and things criminal and sinful, contrary to the moral law, and the dictates of his own conscience, subversive of the Gospel of Christ, and of the order and discipline of it, but in cases and things of an indifferent nature: that I might by all means save some ; that is, that he might be the means of saving some of Jews and Gentiles, and of all sorts of men; by preaching the Gospel of salvation to them, and by directing them to Christ, the only Saviour of lost sinners; thus he explains what he means by so often saying that he might gain them.
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
εγενομην 1096 5633 V-2ADI-1S τοις 3588 T-DPM ασθενεσιν 772 A-DPM ως 5613 ADV ασθενης 772 A-NSM ινα 2443 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM ασθενεις 772 A-APM κερδησω 2770 5661 V-AAS-1S τοις 3588 T-DPM πασιν 3956 A-DPM γεγονα 1096 5754 V-2RAI-1S τα 3588 T-NPN παντα 3956 A-NPN ινα 2443 CONJ παντως 3843 ADV τινας 5100 X-APM σωσω 4982 5661 V-AAS-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
22. Weak. In faith and christian discernment. Compare ch. viii. 7 sqq.; Rom. xiv. 1; xv. 1; 1 Thess. v. 14.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:22 {I became weak} (egenomen asqenes). this is the chief point, the climax in his plea for the principle of love on the part of the enlightened for the benefit of the unenlightened (chapter #1Co 8). He thus brings home his conduct about renouncing pay for preaching as an illustration of love (#8:13). {All things} (panta) {to all men} (tois pasin, the whole number) {by all means} (pantws). Pointed play on the word all, {that I may save some} (hina tinas swsw). this his goal and worth all the cost of adaptation. In matters of principle Paul was adamant as about Titus the Greek (#Ga 2:5). In matters of expediency as about Timothy (#Ac 16:3) he would go half way to win and to hold. this principle was called for in dealing with the problem of eating meat offered to idols (#Ro 14:1; 15:1; 1Th 5:14).
