All Means, Some

1Cor 9:22 "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."

Why did Paul have such a wide heart? One that rubbed cross grain to his nature, to "be made" after the manner, and thinking, and way of others? Was Paul walking onto the actor's stage? Was he playing a part to win some souls? Far from it. In this chapter, we see the Apostle's personal acquaintance with the pitfalls of the soul - the shackles of legalism (v.20), the slippery slopes of antinomianism (v. 21), and the fatigue of the journey in verse 22.

Could we not at least say then that by these words Paul was going beyond the Lord's own earthly ministry? Again, no. The pitfalls of verses 20-22 were Paul's struggles, your struggles, and mine. Paul speaks from whence he knows. He knows legalism, the lust of the flesh, and the weariness of the way. But most of all, Paul knows the path of Him who went before. He sees in these words the footprints of his blessed Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Could Jesus have said, "I am made all things to all men"? In the tapestry of Christ's earthly life, He did just that. What do we see but a Savior's wide embrace? He spoke freely with both Jew and Gentile, extended healing to Roman and Hebrew alike, broke societal norms by visiting the Samaritans, dined with many outcasts, and challenged the elite. And though His initial earthly ministry was to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, His heart's expanse knew no territorial boundaries. If some heart was shattered, weary, oppressed, enslaved, or ensnared, He extended His balm of Gilead, bringing relief to all who asked. Jesus is the needy soul’s Savior, and needy souls need saving everywhere.

That's why Paul wrote these words. He knew they were Jesus'. Paul wrote these words because he knew the medley of people Jesus saved and the kaleidoscope of ways He saved them. Including himself. To the starving, He became the Bread of Life; to the parched, the Living Water; to those exposed to judgment, a City of Refuge; to the sick, a Great Physician; to the philosopher, the Logos of Truth; but to them all, a true Savior of Sinners.