To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22 NIV
Paul said that to the Jew, he became like a Jew. To those under the law, he became like one under the law. To those not under the law, he became like one who was not under the law. And to the weak, he became weak. He sought to find common ground with people in order to be able to lead them to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Paul met people where they were, not expecting them to conform to who he was. He never compromised his faith. And he always sought to honor God in all he did. But within those limits, Paul was willing to embrace the people he shared with, becoming like them as much as possible. He made himself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible (1 Cor. 9:19).
We are often guilty of failing to follow Paul’s example. We seem only willing to share the gospel with people like us. And so we miss out on the blessing of sharing the gospel with people from all walks of life.
There is a story, whose original author is unknown to me, about a hippy and an old deacon from a conservative church (https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/think_a_minute/25513) that illustrates what Paul was talking about here. As the story goes, a hippy came into a very conservative church and sat on the floor in front of the preacher. The congregation was very uncomfortable with this breach of etiquette. And when an old deacon came forward, the congregation expected him to correct the hippy. Instead, he dropped down onto the floor next to him, not wanting him to feel alone. And that is the example that Paul left for us.
