I think it means, thinking from the perspective that Paul had then, that as Christians we must, as much as we are able, without compromising our first love with Christ, be able to get along with all matter of men.Whatever it takes to "win some for Christ."
If someone has never been taught about Christ,never heard of Him, that person may die not knowing Christ as Savior.
We need to identify with other people to win them. In the Spirit of course,with wisdom. when we identify and relate, we can minister to them.I must say that without God's leading it can be risky. A strong relationship with Jesus and caution is necessary. I once heard it said "it is easier to pull someone down than to pull one up". The enemy can lure us into situations where we shouldn't go. Paul used any means possible to save the lost and didn't loose perspective. TheRol
We need to identify with other people to win them. In the Spirit of course,with wisdom. when we identify and relate, we can minister to them.I must say that without God's leading it can be risky. A strong relationship with Jesus and caution is necessary. I once heard it said "it is easier to pull someone down than to pull one up". The enemy can lure us into situations where we shouldn't go. Paul used any means possible to save the lost and didn't loose perspective. TheRol
Answering your last question first: I certainly will not say for certain that a person didn't know Christ. What if, in the instant before death, the person acknowledged that Christ died for him/her and accepted this wonderful gift of grace? I don't think it's our place to judge about the existance of a relationship. (However, we all need to help our brothers and sisters when their BEHAVIOR is out of line with the teachings of Christ.)
I'll put my response to your 1st question in another post.
"To the weak I became as weak..."
Doesn't this, in context, mean accepting the limitations that others put on themselves? Things like eating or not eating meat offered to idols. A "weak" Christian would be one who would say, "No, never will I eat what has been offered to false gods!" While a "strong" Christian is one who can enjoy the liberty we have in Christ to follow the law of love -- using as our guideline not rigid rules but loving acts -- Does this hurt my brother? Will this cause my sister to stumble?
This thinking leads us back to being weak for the weak ones so we do not lead them to stumble.
The context of Paul's words begin in 9:19 "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." Paul is signifying he is following Christ's mandate "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." (Mark 9:35) In order to facilitate his witness, Paul is willing to accommodate his message to the ear of his audience.
Paul goes on to describe this as "To the Jews, I became a Jew....(9:20)" Being a Pharisee, he was very well acquainted with the Scripture and able to preach Christ from the Old Testament. "To those outside the law I became as one outside the law.... (9:21)" Again, though a Pharisee, Paul knew his righteousness was a gift of God through Christ, therefore he did not fear to mingle with Gentiles to preach the gospel to them.
In all of Paul's preaching, Christ is paramount and His death and resurrection pivotal. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:22 "...we preach Christ crucified...." and he concluded the book with the some of the most stirring words in all of Scripture on the resurrection in Chapter 15. Truly an awesome exposition.
Pressly
Good question, great answers.
First there are 2 questions here the first is what is meant by ‘all things to all people’. Just that be able to be the greatest sales person you can be by being all things to all people you can engage them on a personal level that bonds you to each other and allows for the relationship that God demonstrated time and time again through Christ’s ministry on earth. Same for Paul he would debate at the steps of a Greek temple not because he was a philosopher but that is were the people came to hear ideas! Duh! The fastest way to be all things is to relate what God has done for you! All people experience all things! The poor and the wealthy know frustration it may be from a different source but it is still frustration! Share yourself no greater witness is the transformed life of a believer!
The next question is different. This is theological in nature. Is it possible to know if someone died without knowing Christ as his or her Savior? Yes by their confession that they reject Him and by your ability to discern along with the Holy Spirit the veracity of the individual in question’s conversion and life. (SHOW ME THE FRUIT)! Now be very, very careful about passing judgment on another! This privilege is reserved for Almighty God Himself. What purpose does it serve to determine the salvation status of a departed individual? Who benefits in this knowledge and at what cost? Again be very, very careful this is dangerous water that we need not tread. Be assured in your salvation and let God be God!
I think Paul is an excellent example of what it means to be "all thing to all people." He was a tent maker and made tents with people and while doing it he spoke of Jesus.
He told the Jews who he had been in the Jewish world so they could relate to him then he told them about Jesus. He went to the Greek place where all the gods were given praise by them and found the unknown god and told the Greeks about the Known God, Jesus.
He worked when necessary instead of asking for money, he helped on a ship that was going down in the sea and was able to tell them that they would be safe because of Jesus and they were. What ever was needed he became that so he could show people who Christ is. He was led by the Holy Spirit.
