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1 Corinthians 9:21

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

When I'm with people who don't follow religious rules, I don't act all legalistic with them, though I'm still committed to Christ's way of doing things, so I can actually connect with them and reach them.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be.

📚 Historical Context

In the first century AD, Corinth was a diverse and cosmopolitan city in Greece, home to both Jews who followed the Mosaic Law and Gentiles who did not, making it a challenging environment for early Christian outreach. Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, was defending his apostolic ministry and explaining his flexible approach to evangelism, as seen in this verse where he describes adapting to those outside the Jewish law to win them to Christ. However, he clarifies that this adaptation does not mean abandoning God's standards but rather submitting to the law of Christ.

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