1 Corinthians 9:20, Unto the Jews I came as a Jew

1 Corinthians 9:20 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;

The Apostle Paul has the heart to win souls for Christ. As such, to whomever, God will bring his way, He would try his utmost to reach out. For his own Jewish countrymen, he sought to reach out to them, In fact, in every new city he visits, he would begin ministering first to his own people. There in the synagogue, he was received for he was a famous rabbi before his conversion, having studied under the famous teacher Gamaliel.

He was willing to make himself relevant to those whom God brings his way. He subjected himself to all the Jewish ceremonial laws given by Moses in the Old Testament scriptures that he might be accepted as a part of the Jewish community so that he may preach Christ to them. Barnes said well explaining the Apostle Paul’s behaviour, “I complied with their rites, customs, prejudices, as far as I could with a good conscience. I did not needlessly offend them. I did not attack and oppose their views, when there was no danger that my conduct should be mistaken.”

For the sake of sharing the gospel, let us be willing to go the length to reach out. Whatever may be the social status let us endeavour be accepted as a friend that we might win the trust for the gospel’s sake. For the good of those whom we are reaching for Christ. Amen.