19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
free (v.19) — from anyone who could compel him to do anything (see v.1)
under the law (v.20) — submitting voluntarily to the law even though he was free of it
without law (v.21) — not lawless, but not under the restrictions of the law
not being without law toward God (v.21) — not with the liberty to please himself
under law toward Christ (v.21) — submitting to His will
weak (v.22) — those troubled with things like eating meat offered to idols (Romans 14:1; 15:1)
I have become all things (v.22) — tense indicates continuing influence of past action
Paul does whatever he can to lead people to salvation (v.22), but he knows he will only reach some.
this I do (v.23) — should be “I do all things”
for the gospel’s sake (v.23) — should be “for the gospel” — not helping the gospel — Paul is talking of his dedication
partaker of it with you (v.23) — should be “joint partaker thereof”— he’s partnering with the gospel, not with the Corinthians
