What does 1 Corinthians 9:21 Mean?

Study Notes

without
The expression is peculiar and might be literally rendered, " not lawless toward God, but inlawed to Christ." See "Law (of Christ)," Galatians 6:2 ; 2 John 1:5 . It is another way of saying, "not under the law, but under the rule of grace." Romans 6:14 .

Verse Meaning

Likewise when Paul was with Gentiles he behaved as a Gentile. This would have involved eating what they did, among other things. [source][source]

[source]

The references to law in this verse may be confusing. In describing Gentiles as being without law, Paul did not mean that Gentiles are totally lawless (cf. Romans 2:14). He meant they were not under the Law of Moses as the Jews were ( 1 Corinthians 9:20). Paul wanted his readers to understand that even though he did not observe the Mosaic Law when he was with Gentiles (Gr. anomos) he was still under God"s authority (ennomos). As a Christian he was not under the Law of Moses, but he was under the Law of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:2). The law of God for Jews before the Cross was the Law of Moses, but His law for Christians in the present age is the Law of Christ. The Law of Christ is the code of responsibilities that Christ and His apostles taught, which the New Testament contains. Some of the same commands are in the Mosaic Law though the codes, the Mosaic Law and the Law of Christ, are not the same. ^[1] [source]

"This is one of the most difficult sentences in the epistle, and also one of the most important, for in it Paul shows how the new relation to God which he has in Christ expresses his debt of obedience to God." ^[2] [source]

Context Summary

Paul's one aim was to gain men. He uses the words repeatedly. To gain one more for his Lord, he would forego comfort, emolument, and well-earned repose. He would allow no competitor for an earthly prize to supersede himself in his sacrifices for this crown of rejoicing. He points to the denials, the hard training, and the severe discipline to which men who took part in the games subjected themselves. No one thought it strange that they should sacrifice so much for the chance of winning; why, then, should he be counted eccentric, who sought the certain reward of gaining new lovers of his Master's cross?

He tells us that he lived in constant dread of becoming a castaway. He had no fear of being rejected from God's love; but he feared lest God, who had used him so wonderfully, should cease to do so, and should cast him aside in favor of someone more unselfish, more pliant, more free from that which would excite prejudice. If Paul was so eager to surrender his rights and bruise his body that he might attain the prize of soul-winning, the question arises whether for our failure in these respects God may not be obliged to cast us on the rubbish-heap! [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 9

¹  He shows his liberty;
⁷  and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
¹⁵  yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
¹⁸  to be neither chargeable unto them,
²²  nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent
²⁴  Our life is like unto a race