Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 9:22

22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak : I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some .

To those that I observed weak in knowledge and Faith, who had not such a firm perswasion of the lawfulness of some things (suppose Circumcision, Purifyings required by the Law of Moses, &c.) I became as weak, that is, I yielded to them, and the things being to me matters of liberty, whcih I knew I might do, or not do, and be no transgressor of Gods Law, they not being able to comply with me, I complied with them, abating my liberty to gratifie their Consciences, though I knew that it was weakness in them, yet I indulged it, and made my more knowledge serve them in their weakness, so that I might not lose them.

Thus, that I might be an instrument in any degree to save them, according to the various perswasions of several Christians, I behaved my self towards them, doing nothing to gratifie them, by doing of which I knew, or had the least jealousie I should offend God, but not refusing any thing, either as to doing or forbearing (which by the Law of God I saw I might do or forbear) where I saw the least hopes, by such doing or forbearing, to do the Souls of those good, in order to their eternal Salvation, with whom I was, and for whose sake I so did, or forbare any thing. O the humility and charity of this great Apostle! What an Example hath he set to all? (for none can pretend to a greater Superiority over men, as to spiritual things, than he unquestionably had.)

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 13.1. 1 Cor. 11.29.; Cap. 10.33.; [illegible: 1 word] 11.14. C[illegible: 2 letters]p. 7.16.