Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 9:19–23
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
Freedom That Serves
The apostle Paul begins with a paradox: though he is free from all men, he makes himself a servant of all. That is the heart of Christian liberty. It is not a freedom to indulge the flesh, but a freedom to deny it. Liberty in Christ means we are free from sin’s penalty and power, and therefore free to gladly serve others for their salvation.
Paul’s flexibility did not compromise truth. He never adjusted the message of the gospel. He adjusted himself—his habits, his preferences, even his cultural approach—so that nothing in him would be a stumbling block. His aim was to remove unnecessary barriers that might keep people from hearing Christ. That is the “everything to everyone” principle.
And yet, what Paul emphasizes is not mere strategy. The real power in evangelism is not technique, but holiness. A life disciplined in godliness adorns the gospel. As I have written elsewhere, the most effective evangelist is the one whose conduct silences critics and validates the message.
The Gospel and the Problem of Sin
What is the greatest obstacle to our witness? It is not lack of training. It is not lack of opportunity. It is sin in our own lives. When Christians live inconsistently, the world sees hypocrisy. When they indulge the flesh, the unbeliever’s mouth is opened to ridicule, and the gospel is discredited.
Peter exhorts us, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12). In other words, holiness has an apologetic function. It shuts the mouths of scoffers.
Conversely, sin in the believer fuels unbelief in the world. That is why Paul told Titus, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame” (Titus 2:7–8).
Our Lord said the same: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When believers walk in holiness, the gospel shines with greater clarity.
God’s Provision for Victory
Now, someone will ask, “Is victory over sin possible?” Yes. Not sinless perfection in this life, but real progress, real growth, and real power over the flesh. That is God’s design.
Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we who have died with Christ are no longer slaves to sin. In Galatians 5 he tells us that if we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. And in 2 Peter 1 we learn that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.
In other words, God the Father has given us every resource necessary. The Spirit indwells us, the Word renews us, the church supports us, and prayer strengthens us. The command to put sin to death is matched with divine provision to accomplish it.
Holiness is not optional. It is the expectation of every believer. And it is possible—because God Himself supplies the strength.
The Evangelistic Power of a Holy Life
When Paul says he becomes all things to all men, he does not mean that he mirrors the world’s sins in order to reach the world. He means he willingly sets aside his own liberties to remove obstacles. He disciplines his flesh so that nothing in him obscures Christ.
That is why he says later in this same chapter: “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
The most persuasive preacher is the one who practices what he preaches. The most credible witness is the one whose life reflects the holiness of the One he proclaims. When you resist temptation, when you put off sinful habits, when you speak with purity, when you live with integrity—you are adorning the doctrine of God our Savior (Titus 2:10).
Think of Daniel in Babylon. No accusation could stick against him except with regard to his devotion to God. Think of Joseph in Egypt, whose purity in Potiphar’s house displayed the fear of God. Think supremely of Christ Himself, in whom Satan found no foothold. Their holiness strengthened their testimony.
Overcoming Sin for the Sake of Others
Notice again Paul’s motive: “that I might win more of them” (v. 19). The purpose of overcoming sin is not self-congratulation. It is evangelistic. Holiness is not about earning salvation—we are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Rather, holiness is about magnifying the gospel we proclaim.
When an unbeliever sees a Christian overcome anger with patience, overcome greed with generosity, overcome lust with purity, overcome bitterness with forgiveness, it creates a platform for the message. It raises the question: “What power is at work in you?” And the answer is Christ.
Paul did not mean that he would save all. He knew only God saves. But he also knew that his holy life would remove needless barriers, so that some might be won.
The Privilege of Holiness
Let us be clear: overcoming sin is not a burden, it is a privilege. It is the privilege of walking in newness of life. It is the privilege of displaying Christ to the world. It is the privilege of seeing the mouths of unbelievers stopped and their hearts opened to the gospel.
Paul says in verse 23, “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” What greater joy than to see sinners saved, to see Christ exalted, to see God glorified through your obedience?
We live in a world that is hostile to the truth. Every Christian knows the sting of ridicule, the suspicion of hypocrisy, the accusation of inconsistency. And yet, the privilege of holiness is that it silences the scoffer, strengthens the testimony, and adorns the gospel.
The Call to Discipline
Beloved, the Christian life is not passive. It is a disciplined race, a vigilant battle, a lifelong pursuit of holiness. But it is not fought in our own strength. The Father has given us the Spirit, the Word, and the promise of victory.
If you would be everything to everyone for the sake of Christ, then begin with this: put sin to death. Overcome the flesh. Live in holiness. And as you do, you will adorn the gospel, silence the critics, and create a clear path for the truth to pierce the hearts of those around you.
The unbeliever cannot argue with a transformed life. The mouth of the critic is stopped when he sees the reality of God’s power in you. That is the privilege of overcoming sin. And that is how you can, like Paul, become all things to all people, that by all means you might save some.
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