Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:20

μὴ ὢν αὐτὸς ὑπὸ νόμον. אABCDEFG Vetus Lat. Vulg. Rec. omits the words with Peshito. It is curious that Chrysostom has the words in his Commentary, but makes no remark on them, while in other places he omits them when citing the passage. It is impossible to account for the insertion of the words, while Acts 21:21-26 would fully account for their omission. Origen has the equivalent phrase ἐλεύθερος ὢν�.

20. τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὡς Ἰουδαῖος. As in Acts 16:3; Acts 18:18; Acts 21:26; Acts 23:6; Acts 26:4-6; Acts 26:22; Acts 26:27. Some of these passages, though they refer to events which occurred after these words were written, are none the less useful as illustrations of St Paul’s principle of action.

Ἰουδαίους. As R.V., Jews, not ‘the Jews,’ as A.V.

ὑπὸ νόμον. νόμος here, though without the article, must be interpreted of the law of Moses; the distinction between these and the Jews of which he has just spoken may be that he is here speaking of proselytes.

μὴ ὢν αὐτὸς ὑπὸ νόμον. See Critical Note. The omission, if the words are genuine, may have been intentional or may have been due to the repetition of ὑπὸ νόμον. It is clear, however, that St Paul, though regarding himself as quite free to carry out the precepts of the Law when he pleased (see Acts 21:26) and believing that it was not necessary for the Jews to renounce their national customs, considered himself free from the obligation of the Jewish law by virtue of Christ’s death. See Romans 7:4; Galatians 2:19; Galatians 5:18; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:20

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