“All things to all men”
Kevin Bauder has written a helpful article on an oft misunderstood passage of Scripture. It is 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. The line that is routinely misinterpreted is from verse 22 which concerns becoming “all things to all men.” Unfortunately these words are often used as a pretext for behaving like the world in order to “reach them.” But this verse is not a call for us to imitate the people around us in order to evangelize them.
Dr. Bauder demonstrates clearly that Paul’s words have a very specific application – that we avoid doing anything that would unnecessarily offend those around us. So, for the one who is offended by meat sacrificed to idols, Paul will not eat meat. For the one who is not offended by meat sacrificed to idols Paul will eat for “an idol is nothing.”
Read Dr. Bauder’s article HERE.
So there it is folks. Context is king. Let us not use Paul’s words to justify silliness or worse in evangelism.
