The saying, ‘he’s all things to all men’ has come to mean someone who tries to please everyone, because they have no principles. Originally though, when the apostle Paul coined the phrase it meant something quite different. In 1 Corinthians 9, he wrote:
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 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. 21 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. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (NIV)
In these famous words, Paul sets out key principles for us as we seek to share the gospel of Jesus. Solas sent Gavin Matthews speak on this whole chapter, for Hillbank Church in Dundee recently. You can watch the message below:
