1 Corinthians 9:21 bbe — To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so…

Bible in Basic English

"To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law."

— 1 Corinthians 9:21, Bible in Basic English

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1 Corinthians 9 — Context

18

What then is my reward? This, that when I am giving the good news, I may give it without payment, not making use of my rights as a preacher of the good news.

19

For though I was free from all men, I made myself a servant to all, so that more might have salvation.

20

And to the Jews I was as a Jew, so that I might give the good news to them; to those under the law I was the same, not as being myself under the law, but so that I might give the good news to those under the law.

21

To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.

22

To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation.

23

And I do all things for the cause of the good news, so that I may have a part in it.

24

Do you not see that in a running competition all take part, but only one gets the reward? So let your minds be fixed on the reward.

1 Corinthians 9:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 9:21 say?
1 Corinthians 9:21 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.”
Where is 1 Corinthians 9:21 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 9:21 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 9, verse 21.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 9:21.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 9:21 in?
1 Corinthians 9:21 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 9:21?
1 Corinthians 9:21 reads (BBE): “To those without the law I was as one without the law, not as being without law to God, but as under law to Christ, so that I might give the good news to those without the law.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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