1 Corinthians 9:21 – “To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul continues explaining how he adapts to different groups of people in order to share the gospel effectively. Here, he focuses on those “not having the law”, which refers to Gentiles (non-Jews) who did not follow the Old Testament Law of Moses.

Paul says that when he was with Gentiles, he lived as one of them. This doesn’t mean he lived sinfully or abandoned moral standards. Instead, he simply didn’t insist on following Jewish customs like dietary laws, circumcision, or Sabbath observance when he was among Gentiles. He didn’t want unnecessary cultural barriers to keep them from hearing about Jesus.

However, Paul makes an important clarification: “though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law.” He is careful to point out that even though he doesn’t follow the Old Testament Law as a system of rules, he is still accountable to God and follows the law of Christ, which is based on love and righteousness.

Paul’s goal is “to win those not having the law”—to lead Gentiles to salvation in Christ. He did not try to make Gentiles become Jewish before they could follow Jesus. Instead, he met them where they were and focused on what truly mattered: faith in Christ.

Historical Context

In the first century, Jewish and Gentile cultures were very different. Jews followed the Law of Moses, which included strict religious rules about food, circumcision, and worship practices. Gentiles, on the other hand, had no such laws. Many Gentiles followed Greek and Roman customs, which included idol worship and immoral lifestyles.

Paul was raised as a devout Jew and had once been a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5-6). But after coming to Christ, he understood that salvation was not based on following the Old Testament Law—it was based on faith in Jesus alone (Galatians 2:16).

Because of this, when Paul preached to Gentiles, he did not burden them with Jewish customs. He didn’t try to make them live like Jews before they could be Christians. Instead, he focused on Christ alone. This was a major issue in the early church, as some Jewish Christians believed that Gentile believers had to follow Jewish laws (see Acts 15:1-29). Paul strongly opposed this idea and defended the truth that salvation is by grace, not by law-keeping.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches several important truths about Christian faith and evangelism:

1. Salvation is Not Based on the Old Testament Law – Paul makes it clear that he does not live under the Law of Moses. The gospel is about faith in Jesus, not about keeping religious rituals.

2. Adapting Without Compromising – Paul was willing to meet Gentiles where they were, but he did not lower God’s moral standards. He remained under “Christ’s law”, which is based on love and righteousness.

3. The Law of Christ is Our Guide – While Christians are not under the Old Testament Law, we are still called to follow Christ’s teachings. The law of Christ is centered on love for God and others (Matthew 22:37-40).

4. Cultural Sensitivity in Evangelism – Paul understood that different people have different backgrounds. He was careful not to let cultural differences become a barrier to the gospel.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s sentence structure in this verse is carefully balanced. He first states that he became “like one not having the law”, showing his willingness to relate to Gentiles. However, he immediately adds, “though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law”, making it clear that he is still accountable to God.

This clarification is crucial. Some might have accused Paul of disregarding God’s commands, but he is making it clear that while he does not follow the ceremonial and ritual laws of the Old Testament, he still follows the moral and spiritual principles of God’s kingdom.

Paul’s repeated use of the word “win” throughout this chapter (see verses 19, 20, and 22) shows his missionary mindset. His goal was always to lead people to Christ, not to argue over cultural differences.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 15:1-29 – The early church debated whether Gentiles had to follow the Law of Moses. The conclusion was that they did not.
• Galatians 2:16 – “A person is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 6:14 – “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
• Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. This is the essence of the law of Christ.
• 1 John 5:3 – “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” The law of Christ is about joyful obedience rooted in love, not legalism.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges modern believers to think about how we share the gospel. Paul’s example teaches us that we should:

• Focus on the core message of Christ rather than getting caught up in cultural or secondary issues.
• Avoid placing unnecessary burdens on people by making them think they have to follow certain customs to be saved.
• Live under the law of Christ, which means loving God and loving people while staying faithful to His moral standards.
• Be sensitive to different backgrounds when sharing the gospel. Some people come from religious traditions, others from secular backgrounds. We should meet them where they are while pointing them to Jesus.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse reflects God’s love in the way He reaches out to all people, no matter their background. God’s love is not restricted to one nation, culture, or group—it is for everyone.

• God does not require people to meet a set of religious or cultural expectations before they can be saved. He accepts them as they are and transforms them through faith in Christ.
• He calls His followers to do the same—to approach people with grace, love, and understanding rather than judgment or unnecessary rules.
• The law of Christ, which Paul follows, is ultimately the law of love. Everything God commands is rooted in His love for us and His desire for us to live in a way that honors Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul’s approach to ministry reflects the way Jesus Himself reached people.

• John 4:7-26 – Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well and spoke to her in a way she could understand, even though she was from a different cultural background.
• Luke 5:29-32 – Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners, showing that He came to reach those who were far from God.
• Mark 2:27-28 – Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, showing that God’s laws were meant to serve people, not to burden them.
• Philippians 2:5-7 – Jesus humbled Himself and took on human form to reach us. Paul followed this same example by adapting to different groups so that he could share Christ with them.

Jesus did not come to enforce religious rules—He came to bring salvation. Paul understood this and followed Christ’s example by removing cultural barriers and focusing on the heart of the gospel.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Are there any cultural or personal preferences that might be preventing you from sharing the gospel effectively?
2. How can you better relate to people from different backgrounds while still staying faithful to Christ’s teachings?
3. What does it mean to live under the “law of Christ” in your daily life?
4. Are there any unnecessary rules or expectations that you have placed on others that might be getting in the way of them hearing about Jesus?
5. How does Paul’s approach to evangelism challenge the way you think about ministry and outreach?

Paul’s words in this verse remind us that the gospel is for everyone. It challenges us to be flexible in how we share our faith while staying faithful to Christ. Just as Jesus humbled Himself to reach us, we are called to humble ourselves and meet people where they are so they can come to know Him.