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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

1 Corinthians 9:20–23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
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.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

20 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 20

  1. Acts 16:3Rank 1 from verse 20
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    3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

  2. Galatians 5:18Rank 2 from verse 20
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    18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

  3. Acts 21:20–26Rank 3 from verse 20
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    20And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

    21And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

    22What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

    23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

    24Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

    25As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

    26Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

  4. Acts 17:2–3Rank 4 from verse 20
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    2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

    3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

  5. Acts 18:18Rank 5 from verse 20
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    18¶ And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

From verse 21

  1. Romans 2:12Rank 1 from verse 21
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    12For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

  2. Galatians 3:2Rank 2 from verse 21
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    2This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

  3. Romans 2:14Rank 3 from verse 21
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    14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

  4. 1 Corinthians 7:19–22Rank 4 from verse 21
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    19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

    20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

    21Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

    22For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

  5. Matthew 5:17–20Rank 5 from verse 21
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    17¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

    18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

    19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

From verse 22

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:33Rank 1 from verse 22
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    33Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

  2. Romans 15:1Rank 2 from verse 22
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    1WE then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

  3. 1 Corinthians 9:19Rank 3 from verse 22
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    19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

  4. Romans 11:14Rank 4 from verse 22
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    14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

  5. Galatians 6:1Rank 5 from verse 22
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    1BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

From verse 23

  1. 2 Timothy 2:10Rank 1 from verse 23
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    10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

  2. 1 Corinthians 9:25–27Rank 2 from verse 23
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    25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

    26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

    27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

  3. Mark 8:35Rank 3 from verse 23
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    35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

  4. 1 John 1:3Rank 4 from verse 23
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    3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

  5. Galatians 2:5Rank 5 from verse 23
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    5To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:20

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gain

↗

Profit, increase, advantage, benefit, or what is acquired; to obtain, win, acquire, profit by, or bring a person to the truth or cause sought.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:21

COMBINED MEANING

without

↗

Outside or on the exterior; beyond a boundary; lacking, absent, free from, not accompanied by, or apart from the person, thing, condition, means, or relation named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

law

↗

Sense 1: An authoritative rule, command, ordinance, instruction, standard, or body of requirements. Sense 2: The writings containing such instruction. Sense 3: A governing principle, power, regular order, or civil rule. Sense 4: In family compounds, relationship by marriage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

Christ

↗

The Anointed One; the same title as Messias.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gain

↗

Profit, increase, advantage, benefit, or what is acquired; to obtain, win, acquire, profit by, or bring a person to the truth or cause sought.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:22

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

gain

↗

Profit, increase, advantage, benefit, or what is acquired; to obtain, win, acquire, profit by, or bring a person to the truth or cause sought.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

save

↗

Sense 1: To rescue, deliver, preserve, keep alive, heal, recover, or bring safely through. Sense 2: Except or apart from.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

1 Corinthians 9:23

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

sake

↗

Cause, account, purpose, interest, or benefit; used in phrases meaning because of or for the benefit of someone or something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

might

↗

Sense 1: Power or strength. Sense 2: An auxiliary expressing possibility or permission.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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READ THE PASSAGE

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Suggested context · 1 Corinthians 9:1–23

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Read all 23 verses in 1 Corinthians 9:1–23

9:1AM I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

9:2If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

9:3Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

9:4Have we not power to eat and to drink?

9:5Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

9:6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

9:7Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

9:8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9:9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

9:10Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

9:11If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

9:12If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

9:13Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

9:14Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

9:15But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

9:18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

9:19For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

9:20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

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9:21To 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.

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9:22To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

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9:23And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

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