Introduction

In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he addressed a number of issues that they had. He helped them to become more godly individuals by doing things according to scripture and not according to tradition.

He set the example by making this statement, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22)

There are those who misunderstand or misinterpret the last part of verse 22, I have become all things to all men. Let’s see if we can shed some light on this statement.

What this statement ISN’T saying

Technically, it is impossible to become “all things” in a literal sense. For example, if you were to meet someone who was a biomechanical engineer, God wouldn’t expect you to study up on the subject just to talk to him about the gospel. If that were the case, you’d spend more time studying subjects as a ‘just in case’ situation and never be able to get out there and actually connect with people. Finding common ground is sufficient.

In the New Testament, we know that Paul was neither married nor divorced yet he instructed the Corinthians in both matters. The question is, “Should Paul have gotten married to talk to married people?” The answer is No! Jesus wasn’t married, does this mean He doesn’t have a right to talk to married people? Again, the answer is no.

Both used what they knew from scriptures to teach and Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to teach what Jesus hadn’t taught. Jesus said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:12-13) This shows there was more to learn but they (the apostles) couldn’t comprehend it at the time. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit was sent, they would be “guided into all truth”.

Even though Paul didn’t have the experience of marriage, he had the scriptures, and the Holy Spirit, to consult. He didn’t rely on man’s wisdom by asking married couples about this situation or that. He stuck to the examples given to him by God in His Holy Word.

Personal is Personal

There are those who believe they should teach people based on their own experiences or others. There is no authority for this in scripture and if you want to use your own personal experience you can but it’s at your own discretion.

To get another couple to open up about their personal experiences, to share with strangers, is an act of meddling unless that couple consents to share. Again, there is no scriptural authority to share those experiences. There are plenty of examples of marriage, both positive and negative, that you don’t need to air someone’s dirty laundry for all to see and hear.

Conclusion

People can become “all things to all men” without having to violate their own conscience and discuss things they have no divine obligation to do. God’s word should be sufficient and to say otherwise is going beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9)