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In these verses our apostle proceeds to show the Corinthians farther, how mightily he did abridge himself of his Christian liberty, which was the argument he was insisting upon.
For, says he, though I be free from all men, as being a servant to none, yet have I made myself as a servant to all, that I might gain the more to embrace the gospel.
To the unconverted Jews he became as a Jew, circumcising Timothy for their sakes, Act_16:3 that he might gain the Jews.
To them who in their opinion were yet under the obligation of the ceremonial law, he carried himself as a person under that law, and accordingly he purified himself in the temple, Act_21:26.
To them that were without law, that is, the Gentiles, who were without the ceremonial law, he became as a person without law, abstaining from the use of all ceremonies as they did.
But yet, not being without law of God, but under the law of Christ; that is, as to the moral law of God, which was not abolished, but reinforced by Christ he did never account himself free from that, nor durst do any thing contrary to the eternal rule of righteousness; and all this, that he might gain them that are without law.
To the weak converts, either among Jews or Gentiles, he became as weak, by abstaining from what might hurt their weak consciences, that so he might gain the weak.
Finally, he became all things to all men, by compliance with them in all lawful and indifferent things, that he might gain as many as possibly he could.
And all this he did for the gospel's sake, that the gospel might be the better esteemed, and farther propagated, and he might himself partake of the promises and rewards of it, together with them to whom he preached it, and had effectually entertained it.
Behold here the humility and charity of this great apostle; his ready condescension to the pitiable weaknesses of all men; his compliance with them in all lawful and indifferent things, for the glory of God, and the advantage of the gospel: a rare and singular pattern for all ministers and private Christians to imitate and follow.
Now from this example of St. Paul's becoming all things to all men, and making himself a servant unto all,
we learn, 1. One great duty of a gospel minister is not to be a slave to any, but a servant to all; not a servant to their lusts, but to their weaknesses and infirmities.
Our apostle did not turn, as the flattering and false apostles did, with the tide and times, nor conform to them in what was sinful. He did not symbolize with all colours; nor was he a man for all hours or humours; For, says he, if I please men, (he means in any thing that is sinful) I am no more the servant of Christ, Gal_1:10. But wisely considering the case and state of all men, he did accommodate his ministry for the gaining of as many as possibly he could.
Some are all things to all men, that they may gain by all; a spirit not only unworthy of a minister, but of a man. But St. Paul complied with all men, and made himself the servant of all, that Christ might thereby gain, his gospel gain, yea, and they themselves gain; which hints to us
a second observation, The great end which the holy apostle aimed at, in this his compliance with, and condescension towards, the weaknesses of his people: This I do for the gospel's sake.
As if he had said, "Though I thus stoop and yield to all men, it is to serve my Master, not myself. Think not that I thus put myself into all forms towards men for my own preferment in the world; but that Christ may be preferred in the hearts and acceptations of all men.
I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." 1Co_10:33.
Behold here the noble mark which this minister of Christ had in his eye, the saving of souls. That he might hit it, he wisely observed the temper and state of his people, striving to render himself agreeable and acceptable unto all, that he might by all means save some; yet had he also an eye to himself in all this; he had respect to the recompence of reward, as lawfully he might.
This I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker thereof with you; that is, that I may have a share myself in the promised rewards of the gospel which I have preached to you.
Blessed be God, it is lawful for all the ministers and members of Christ to do good out of hope of reward; and that his glory and our own happiness are so inseparably connected and knit together, that by promoting the former we secure the latter.