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New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 9:21

When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Diplomacy;   Evil;   Expediency;   Minister, Christian;   Tact;   Unselfishness;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Christ;   Thompson Chain Reference - Leaders;   Ministers;   Paul;   Religious;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Justification before God;   Law of God, the;   Selfishness;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Ethics;   Freedom;   Law;   Mission;   Paul;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Law;   Law of Christ;   Motives;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Abstinence;   Games;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Mission(s);   1 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Law;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Barnabas, Epistle of;   Christian Life;   Example;   Gain;   Law;   Self- Denial;   Strife;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Lawless;   Sin;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Lawless;   Vow;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for September 15;   Every Day Light - Devotion for October 9;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law.
King James Version (1611)
To them that are without Law, as without Law (being not without Law to God, but vnder the Law to Christ,) that I might gaine them that are without Law.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
New American Standard Bible
to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law.
New Century Version
To those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law. I did this to win those people who are without the law. (But really, I am not without God's law—I am ruled by Christ's law.)
Amplified Bible
To those who are without (outside) the Law, [I became] as one without the Law, though [I am] not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
Legacy Standard Bible
To those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
Berean Standard Bible
To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law.
Contemporary English Version
And when I am with people who are not ruled by the Law, I forget about the Law to win them. Of course, I never really forget about the law of God. In fact, I am ruled by the law of Christ.
Complete Jewish Bible
With those who live outside the framework of Torah, I put myself in the position of someone outside the Torah in order to win those outside the Torah — although I myself am not outside the framework of God's Torah but within the framework of Torah as upheld by the Messiah.
Darby Translation
to those without law, as without law, (not as without law to God, but as legitimately subject to Christ,) in order that I might gain [those] without law.
Easy-to-Read Version
To those who are without the law I became like someone who is without the law. I did this to help save those who are without the law. (But really, I am not without God's law—I am ruled by the law of Christ.)
Geneva Bible (1587)
To them that are without Lawe, as though I were without Lawe, (when I am not without Lawe as pertaining to God, but am in the Lawe through Christ) that I may winne them that are without Lawe:
George Lamsa Translation
To those who are without law, I became like one who is without law, though I am not lawless before God because I am under the law of Christ, that I might win them who are without law.
Good News Translation
In the same way, when working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. This does not mean that I don't obey God's law; I am really under Christ's law.
Lexham English Bible
To those outside the law I became as outside the law (although I am not outside the law of God, but subject to the law of Christ) in order that I may gain those outside the law.
Literal Translation
to those without Law as without Law (not being without Law of God, but under the law of Christ), that I might gain those without Law.
American Standard Version
to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.
Bible in Basic English
To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.
Hebrew Names Version
to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Messiah), that I might win those who are without law.
International Standard Version
To those who do not have the law I became like a man who does not have the law, in order to win those who do not have the law (although I am not free from God's law, but am under the law of Christ).Romans 2:12,14; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 3:2;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
and to those who have not the law I become as one without law, while I am not unto Aloha without law, but in the law of the Meshiha, that them also who have not law I may gain.
Murdock Translation
and to those who have not the law, I was as without the law, (although I am not without law to God, but under the law of the Messiah,) that I might gain them that are without the law.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
To them that are without lawe, [become I] as [though I were] without lawe, (when I was not without law as parteyning to the lawe of God, but in the lawe of Christe) to winne them that are without lawe.
English Revised Version
to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law.
World English Bible
to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
To them that are without the law, as without the law, (being not without the law to God, but under the law to Christ) that I might gain them that are without the law.
Weymouth's New Testament
to men without Law as if I were without Law--although I am not without Law in relation to God but am abiding in Christ's Law--in order to win those who are without Law.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
as Y were vndur the lawe, whanne Y was not vndur the lawe, to wynne hem that weren vndur the lawe; to hem that weren with out lawe, as Y were with out lawe, whanne Y was not with out the lawe of God, but Y was in the lawe of Crist, to wynne hem that weren with out lawe.
Update Bible Version
to those that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain those that are without law.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
New English Translation
To those free from the law I became like one free from the law (though I am not free from God's law but under the law of Christ) to gain those free from the law.
New King James Version
to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, [fn] but under law toward Christ [fn] ), that I might win those who are without law;
New Life Bible
There are some who live by not obeying the Jewish law. I became as one who lives by not obeying the Jewish law so I might lead them to Christ. This does not mean that I do not obey God's Law. I obey the teachings of Christ.
New Revised Standard
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
To them who were without law, as, without law, - not being without law to God, but lawfully subject to Christ, - that I might win them who were without law.
Revised Standard Version
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law--not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ--that I might win those outside the law.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
To them that were without lawe be ca I as though I had bene without lawe (whe I was not without lawe as perteyninge to god but vnder a lawe as concerninge Christ) to wynne the that were without lawe.
Young's Literal Translation
to those without law, as without law -- (not being without law to God, but within law to Christ) -- that I might gain those without law;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Vnto them that are without lawe, I am become as though I were without lawe (where as yet I am not without the lawe of God, but am in ye lawe of Christ) to wynne the that are without lawe.
Mace New Testament (1729)
to those who are without the law, as without that law, (not as being under no law to God, but as under the law to Christ) that I might gain those who are without the law.
Simplified Cowboy Version
When I'm with the Gentile outsiders, I live like they do in order to show them how they too can live for Jesus. It's not about disobeying the law of God, it's about following the code of Jesus.

Contextual Overview

19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

them: Acts 15:28, Acts 16:4, Acts 21:25, Romans 2:12, Romans 2:14, Galatians 2:3, Galatians 2:4, Galatians 2:12-14, Galatians 3:2

not: 1 Corinthians 7:19-22, Psalms 119:32, Matthew 5:17-20, Romans 7:22, Romans 7:25, Romans 8:4, Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 5:23, Ephesians 6:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:2, Titus 2:2-12, Hebrews 8:10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:55 - my servants 2 Chronicles 15:3 - without law Isaiah 42:4 - and the isles Isaiah 51:4 - a law Matthew 11:29 - my Matthew 12:8 - General Romans 3:19 - what things Romans 3:31 - yea Romans 6:15 - shall we Romans 8:7 - for it Galatians 3:23 - under Galatians 6:2 - the law

Cross-References

Genesis 6:9
This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.
Genesis 9:3
I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables.
Genesis 9:4
But you must never eat any meat that still has the lifeblood in it.
Genesis 9:15
and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.
Genesis 9:16
When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth."
Proverbs 20:1
Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
Romans 13:13
Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
1 Corinthians 10:12
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
Galatians 5:21
envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

To them that are without law, as without law,.... Meaning the Gentiles, who, though they were not without the law of nature, nor without many good civil laws, by which the more cultivated and civilized nations among them were governed, yet they were without the written law of Moses; a description of the Gentiles, usual with the Jews; see Romans 2:12. And to these the apostle accommodated himself, as if he was without the law; by conversing with them without any difference; by eating any sort of food with them; by not circumcising Titus, when the Jews would have had it done; and by resisting Peter, when he, by his example, would have influenced the Gentiles to have lived as did the Jews:

being not without law to God; or "the law of God", the moral law; for though he was delivered from the curse and condemnation of it, and as a covenant of works, and the ministry of it by Moses, yet not from the matter of it, and obedience to it, as a rule of walk and conversation: and therefore his compliance with the Gentiles was not in anything that was contrary to the moral law; nor did he act as one that had nothing to do with that law, "but" as one that was

under the law to Christ, or "under the law of Christ"; that is, the law of love, which obliged him to take every lawful and proper method for the good of such souls:

that I might gain them that were without law; to believe in Christ for life and salvation, and to serve the law of God as in the hands of Christ, the only Lawgiver and King in his church; in testimony of their gratitude to him, for the blessings of grace received by him, without having any dependence on their obedience to it, for acceptance with God.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

To them that are without law - To the Gentiles, who have not the law of Moses; see the note at Romans 2:12, note at Romans 2:14.

As without law - Not practicing the special rites and ceremonies enjoined in the law of Moses. Not insisting on them, or urging them, but showing that the obligation to those rites had been done away; and that they were not binding, though when among the Jews I might still continue to observe them; see the notes at Acts 15:0; and the argument of Paul in Galatians 2:11-18. I neglected the ceremonial precepts of the Mosaic law, when I was with those who had not heard of the law of Moses, or those who did not observe them, because I knew that the binding obligation of these ceremonial precepts had ceased. I did not, therefore, press them upon the Gentiles, nor did I superstitiously and publicly practice them. In all this, Paul has reference only to those things which he regarded as in themselves indifferent, and not a matter of conscience; and his purpose was not; needlessly to excite the prejudice or the opposition of the world. Nothing is ever gained by provoking opposition for the mere sake of opposition. Nothing tends more to hinder the gospel than that. In all things of conscience and truth a man should be firm, and should lose his life rather than abandon either; in all things of indifference, of mere custom, of prejudice, he should yield, and accomodate himself to the modes of thinking among people, and adapt himself to their views, feelings, and habits of life, that he may win them to Christ.

Being not without law to God - Not regarding myself as being “absolutely” without law, or as being freed from obligation to obey God. Even in all this, I endeavored so to live as that it might be seen that I felt myself bound by law to God. I was not a despiser, and contemner, and neglector of “law as such,” but only regarded myself as not bound by the special ceremonial law of Moses. This is an instance of Paul’s conscientiousness. He would not leave room to have it supposed for a moment that he disregarded all law. He was bound to God by law; and in the conduct to which he was referring he felt that he was obeying him. He was bound by higher law than those ceremonial observances which were now to be done away. This passage would destroy all the refuges of the Antinomians. Whatever privileges the gospel has introduced, it has not set us free from the restraints and obligations of law. That is binding still; and no man is at liberty to disregard the moral law of God. Christ came to magnify, strengthen, and to honor the law, not to destroy it.

But under the law to Christ - Bound by the law enjoined by Christ; under the law of affectionate gratitude and duty to him. I obeyed his commands; followed his instructions; sought his honor; yielded to his will. In this he would violate none of the rules of the moral law. And he here intimates, that his grand object was to yield obedience to the law of the Saviour, and that this was the governing purpose of his life. And this would guide a man right. In doing this, he would never violate any of the precepts of the moral law, for Christ obeyed them, and enjoined their observance. He would never feel that he was without law to God, for Christ obeyed God, and enjoined it on all. He would never feel that religion came to set him free from law, or to authorize licentiousness; for its grand purpose and aim is to make people holy, and to bind them everywhere to the observance of the pure law of the Redeemer.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 21. To them that are without law — The Gentiles, who had no written law, though they had the law written in their hearts; Romans 2:15; Romans 2:15.

Being not without law to God — Instead of θεω, TO God, and χριστω, TO Christ, the most important MSS. and versions have θεου, OF God, and χριστου, OF Christ; being not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ.

Them that are without law. — Dr. Lightfoot thinks the Sadducees may be meant, and that in certain cases, as far as the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish religion were concerned, he might conform himself to them, not observing such rites and ceremonies, as it is well known that they disregarded them; for the doctor cannot see how the apostle could conform himself in any thing to them that were without law, i.e. the heathen. But, 1. It is not likely that the apostle could conform himself to the Sadducees; for what success could he expect among a people who denied the resurrection, and consequently a future world, a day of judgment, and all rewards and punishments? 2. He might among the heathen appear as if he were not a Jew, and discourse with them on the great principles of that eternal law, the outlines of which had been written in their hearts, in order to show them the necessity of embracing that Gospel which was the power of God unto salvation to every one that believed.


 
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