Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:20

"And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;" — 1 Corinthians 9:20 (ASV)

In discussing his self-sacrificing concern in vv.20–23, Paul mentions three groups—the Jews, the Gentiles, and those whose consciences are weak. For the Jews’ sake Paul became like a Jew. That is, when necessary and regarding indifferent matters, he conformed to the practice of Jewish law (cf. Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:20–26) to win the Jews. “Those under the law” need not be taken as a separate group such as proselytes to Judaism, but as reference again to Jews. In the parenthetical phrase “though I myself am not under the law,” Paul means that in his freedom he was not obligated to practice such Jewish laws.