1 Corinthians 9:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"To those outside the law, as outside the law" (v. 21). These were neither Jews, nor Christians, nor Gentiles, but were outside the law, such as Cornelius and those like him. When Paul came to them also, in many things he acted according to their customs. Some, however, say that here he was alluding to his speech to the Athenians, concerning the inscription found on a shrine. For this reason he says, "to those outside the law, as outside the law." Then, lest anyone think that his actions arose from a change in his manner of thought, he adds: "not being without law toward God. But under law to Christ." That is, he was not only not without law, but was subject to a law not ordinary, but far higher than the old, the law of the Spirit and of grace.

By those without the law he means either those who did not have the Law of Moses and were converted from the Gentiles, such as Cornelius in Acts 10:1-48, whom Paul visited while condescending to their weakness, or also the Greeks, to whom he adapted himself. For example, when he addressed the Athenians, he began from an altar they had, and taught about Christ not as God but as man; see Acts 17:22, Acts 17:23, Acts 17:31. They could not understand anything greater. Indeed, they even regarded Him as one of their own gods, such as Hercules or Asclepius. Everywhere the word "as" is added, so that you may know that Paul only appeared to be such, while in reality he was not.

With those under the Law I shaved my head (Acts 18:18), that I might gain them. And for those not under the Law, for the Athenians, when I entered Athens and walked among their temples, I became as one not under the Law, that I might gain them (Acts 17:16).

Paul says this because, being under the Law of Christ, he is under the Law of God. For what belongs to Christ belongs to God, and what belongs to God belongs to Christ, as He said: “All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine” (Jn 17:10).

By “lawless” the apostle means those who live outside the Law. Every kind of his divine economy can be seen not only in his writings, but also in the Acts of the Apostles. For he spoke in one way in the Jewish synagogues, and in another way set forth the teaching in the Areopagus. Against each disease he used the remedy suited to it.

"To those without law as without law," when, speaking to the Athenians, he did not set forth his word from the Prophets or from the Law. Rather, he borrowed an expression from their altar, persuading them by their own teachings. For this reason he did not say, "without law," but "as without law." The Apostle said, "not being without law toward God, but under law to Christ," because, with respect to the one Essence, there is no difference by what name God is called. Wishing to show this elsewhere, he said: "He who eats, eats to the Lord and gives thanks to God" (Rom 14:6). Or, if you consider this explanation strained, I think these apostolic words show the following.

“To those outside the Law, as one outside the Law, not being outside the Law before God, but under the Law of Christ, that I might gain those outside the Law.” Those outside the Law of Moses are, of course, the Gentiles. When Saint Paul came to them for preaching, he “in many things acted according to their customs,” as Chrysostom says. He did not disdain their food and adapted himself to their ways, while taking no part in religious acts, such as sacrifices to idols.

The Apostle also renounced many other things for the salvation of those being converted. In other words, he made himself a slave to all his hearers, so that by every means he might draw all to Christ. According to St. John Chrysostom, the Apostle Paul speaks as though saying: "I not only did not take or use my right, but even subjected myself to slavery, and to slavery varied and complete." "Do you see the greatest condescension? Though he was under the law of Christ and kept the highest law, he became to those without the law, that is, to the Gentiles, as without law, and to the Jews as a Jew. In both respects he was more perfect and higher than all. You also should act in this way. Do not think that you fall when, being exalted, you do something humble for your brother.

By those without the law the Apostle means those who were in no respect under the Law of Moses. These are the Gentiles. When he appeared among them, he was like them in his outward life. He did not avoid their food, nor did he shrink from their other customs. He was as everyone else. This cannot include customs that signified a confession of faith, such as sacrifices to idols and the like. Yet, acting in this way, he says: in my conscience before God I was pure, for I acted in the conviction that this was pleasing to Him Himself. I was not without law toward God. But I was under law to Christ. That is, by faith in the Lord I directed all things to His glory. I bore His good yoke.