19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
19 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people:
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:19
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 9:15-23
(Read 1 Corinthians 9:15-23)
It is the glory of a minister to deny himself, that he may serve Christ and save souls. But when a minister gives up his right for the sake of the gospel, he does more than his charge and office demands. By preaching the gospel, freely, the apostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and love, and thus enjoyed much comfort and hope in his soul. And though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by Christ, yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the gospel, and win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel.