Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 9:22

"To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." — 1 Corinthians 9:22 (ASV)

Those with a “weak” (GK 822) conscience (cf. 8:9–12) he also wants to be sure to win. With them he becomes “weak”—that is, he refrains from exercising his Christian freedom and acts as they do regarding these indifferent things. He has forfeited his freedom for the sake of all, that by all these means some may be saved. He does this for the sake of the Gospel, that he might share in the blessings of the Gospel personally and see others come to Christ.