Unto the Jews I became as a Jew, &c.— For an illustration of this, see Acts 16:3; Acts 21:21; Acts 21:40 which instances were undoubtedly a specimen of many more of the like kind. As under the law, in the next clause, can only signify that he voluntarily complied with it as an indifferent thing; but it cannot by any means imply, that he declared such observances necessary, or refused to converse with any who would not conform to them: for this was the very dissimulation which, with so generous a freedom, he condemned in St. Peter, Galatians 2:14; Galatians 2:21. See Doddridge, Calmet, and Whitby. Some commentators, following many manuscripts, versions, and fathers, read,—To those under the law, (not being myself under the law) that I might gain them that are under the law. Wetstein and Bengelius.
Related Commentaries of 1 Corinthians 9:20
1 Corinthians 9:20
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;