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;
I became as a Jew - in things not defined by the law, but by Jewish usage. Not Judaizing in essentials, but in matters where there was no compromise of principle (cf. Acts 16:3; Acts 21:20-26) - an undesigned coincidence between the history and the letter: a proof of genuineness. To them that are under the law, as under the law - in things defined by the law; ceremonies not then repugnant to Christianity. The reason for distinguishing this class from the former is-Paul himself belonged nationally to "the Jews," but did not in creed belong to "them that are under the law." This is confirmed by the reading inserted here by 'Aleph (') A B C Delta G f g, Vulgate, 'not being (i:e., "not that I am") myself under the law.'