1 Corinthians 9:23

23 I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

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 meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists,

22 the defeated, the demoralized - whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ - but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.

23 I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!

24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.

25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.