John Calvin 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)

To the weak I became as weak. Now again he employs a general statement, in which he shows to what sort of persons he accommodated himself, and with what design. He Judaized in the presence of the Jews, but not before them all, for there were many headstrong persons who, under the influence of Pharisaical pride or malice, would have wished that Christian liberty were altogether taken away. To those persons he would never have been so accommodating, for Christ would not have us care for persons of that sort.

Let them alone, (says He,) they are blind, and leaders of the blind (Matthew 15:14).

Hence we must accommodate ourselves to the weak, not to the obstinate.

Now his design was that he might bring them to Christ—not that he might promote his own advantage or retain their goodwill. To these things a third must be added—that it was only in things indifferent, which are otherwise in our choice, that he accommodated himself to the weak.

Now, if we consider how great a man Paul was, who stooped so far, ought we not to feel ashamed—we who are next to nothing in comparison with him—if, bound up in self, we look with disdain upon the weak and do not deign to yield up a single point to them?

But while it is proper that we should accommodate ourselves to the weak according to the Apostle’s injunction—doing so in things indifferent and with a view to their edification—those act improperly who, seeking their own comfort, avoid things that would offend people (and the wicked, too) rather than the weak.

Those, however, commit a twofold error, who do not distinguish between things indifferent and things unlawful, and accordingly do not hesitate, for the sake of pleasing people, to engage in things that the Lord has prohibited. The crowning point of the evil, however, is this: that they abuse this statement of Paul to excuse their wicked dissimulation. But if anyone keeps in mind these three things that I have briefly pointed out, he will easily be able to refute those persons.

We must also observe the word he uses in the concluding clause, for he shows for what purpose he endeavors to gain all—namely, for their salvation. At the same time, he here eventually modifies the general statement, unless perhaps you prefer the rendering of the old translation, which is still found today in some Greek manuscripts.

For in this place, too, he repeats it: that I may by all means save some. But as the indulgent disposition that Paul speaks of sometimes has no good effect, this limitation is very suitable: that, although he might not do good to all, he nevertheless never stopped seeking the benefit of at least a few.