1 Corinthians 9:19

“For though I be free from all, I made myself servant to all, that I might gain the more.”

Paul formulates the general principle on which is founded the particular self-denial of which he has just spoken, and which guides all his conduct. Thus the for finds its natural explanation. By the term free, Paul returns to the question of the first verse, the theme of the whole passage.

Most commentators of our day take πάντων in the masculine sense: from all men. But the preposition ἐκ, out from, is not very suitable in this sense; it would rather require ἀπό. ᾿Εκ supposes a domain from which one goes forth. Paul has therefore in view all the legal prescriptions relating to meats, days, forbidden touchings, and in general everything in religion and morals which belongs only to the external form. As to himself, he felt that he was no longer subject to any restriction of the kind. Yet he consented to accommodate himself to the prejudices of any man, rich or poor, great or small, who held to any of these observances, and that for the very reason that in his eyes they were indifferent; he was infinitely less afraid of sacrificing his liberty than of using it so as to compromise the salvation of one of his brethren. We must therefore take πᾶσιν, to all, in the masculine sense as certainly as we take πάντων in the neuter sense (see on 1 Corinthians 9:22).

The pronoun ἐμαυτόν, myself, indicates the apostle's action on himself, necessary to effect this deliberate subjection. The words τοὺς πλείονας, the more, have been variously explained. Rückert: as many as possible; Neander, Edwards: more than I should have gained without that; de Wette, Meyer, Holsten: the greater number of those to whom I preach; Heinrici: more than those whom I had gained by acting otherwise; Hofmann, Alford: in greater number than those who have been converted by others. The most natural meaning seems to me to be: to gain them (these πάντες) in greater number than I should have done by acting otherwise. Account is thus taken both of the article and of the comparative.

The word gain should not be taken in the sense which has become almost technical, in which we say: to gain one to the faith or to the gospel. The term is taken in its purely natural meaning. The apostle regards the salvation of a soul converted by him as a personal gain; for he identifies his possessions with those of Christ. What he gains for Christ is a part of his μισθός, his reward.

The following verses are the development of the word ἐδούλωσα, I made myself servant.