1 Corinthians 9:19-23  Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

All things to all men, all things to all people – that sounds like something a politician would try, doesn’t it? In an election year, we see plenty of that. Candidates morph into a different person depending on the crowd that is around them, kind of like a chameleon blending in with its surroundings. Is that what Paul is talking about here?

Not exactly. Paul starts off by saying that he is free. He acknowledges the freedom God has given him: freedom from sin, death and devil that Jesus accomplished for all people when He took sin on Himself and paid the debt with His death. That freedom belongs to all who have put their faith in Jesus. It is real freedom, the most important freedom we all need. So what does Paul do with that freedom? He declares himself a slave to others for the sake of Jesus and in order to win them for Jesus.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law …, so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law …, so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men …

On a superficial level, it sounds as though Paul is describing the very thing we hate and despise about politicians. So how is this different? Motive? Motivation alone, no matter how noble, does not justify telling people what they want to hear just so they will like you or vote for you. But if you look closely, you will see that is not what Paul is describing. Paul’s motivation is good: “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel.”  Paul does what he does for the Gospel. He is working to bring others into the fold. But that noble motive alone is not enough to make a case for “the end justifying the means.” Again, that is not what Paul is describing. His definition of being all things to all people could be put this way: meet people where they are. If you want to share the Gospel with Jews, you have to understand the Jewish mindset. If you want to share the message of Jesus with those trying to earn their salvation, you need to understand their thought process. If you want to share the message of life and salvation with those who don’t think they need saving, you must understand their frame of reference. Meet people where they are. Know their culture, their belief systems, and meet them where they are.

In order to share the Gospel with someone, you have to understand how they think, where they are coming from. That is what Paul is encouraging in this passage. Take Jesus to them where they are. Be all things to all people.