1 Corinthians 9:23

23 I do all of that because of the good news. And I want to share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 9:23

And this I do for the Gospel's sake
The Alexandrian copy and some others read, "all things I do" and so the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions; that is, he became all things to all men, and so and so to different persons; not for his own sake, for his own temporal advantage, or to curry favour with men; not for the sake of gaining wealth, or honour and applause to himself, but for the spread of the Gospel, and its greater usefulness among men: to which he adds,

that I might be partaker thereof with you;
meaning either the fruit of the Gospel, the conversion and salvation of sinners, which would be matter of joy both to him and them; or the blessings of grace and eternal life, which the Gospel reveals and promises, which he desired to enjoy in common with others, not only with the Corinthians, for the word "you" is not in the original text, but with Jews and Gentiles; with men of all sorts, who may be gained over to Christ, and saved by him, through the ministry of the word.

1 Corinthians 9:23 In-Context

21 To those who don't have the law I became like one who doesn't have the law. I am not free from God's law. I am under Christ's law. Now I can win those who don't have the law.

22 To those who are weak I became weak. That was to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that in all possible ways I might save some.

23 I do all of that because of the good news. And I want to share in its blessings.

24 In a race all the runners run. But only one gets the prize. You know that, don't you? So run in a way that will get you the prize.

25 All who take part in the games train hard. They do it to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last forever.