Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 9:19

19 For though I be free from all men , yet have I made my self servant unto all, that I might gain the more .

The word men is not in the Greek, but is supplied by our Interpreters. Some make things the Substantive, and restrain it to the things of the Ceremonial Law, it may be understood both of men and things; he was born no mans servant, nor by Gods Law made a servant to any mens humors, and as free, as to many other things, as he was to have taken maintenance of the Churches, for the pains he bestowed amongst them.

Yet (saith he) observe my practice, that I might gain men to Christ (so the Apostle several times calleth converting Souls, bringing them in love with the Gospel, and into a road that may bring them to Heaven, which we ought to account the greatest gain in the world, as it appeareth from Dan. 12.3.) I have become, or made my self, the Servant of all, not the Servant of their lusts and corruptions (that is the way to lose mens Souls, and destroy them, not to gain them) but a Servant to their weaknesses and infirmities so far, as they were not sinful: I have denied my self in my liberty, and determined my self to that part in my actions, which I saw would most oblige, profit, and indear them to me, and to bring them more in love with the Gospel.

Marginal references: Matt. 18.1[illegible: 1 letter]. 1 Pet. 3.1.