It seems that the phrase, “All things to all people,” has taken on a life of its own in contemporary English. Dictionary.com says, “Today it often appears in a political context, but phrased negatively, as in He wants to be a good school committee member, but he can’t be all things to all people.” After all, who can satisfy everyone completely?
Of course, the phrase comes from Scripture, and the Apostle Paul gave it a profoundly positive sense: “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). He goes on to say that his others-oriented, self-giving lifestyle of love is an example for Christians to follow (11:1). So we can’t just brush off being “all things to all people” as something unrealistic. It’s our calling.
But what does it mean—and what doesn’t it mean? The text gives us a classic illustration of how some Bible verses must not be taken in a rigid, literal way. “All things” cannot mean absolutely all behaviors. If it did, it would force Paul to go against Paul (e.g., 1 Cor 6:18; 10:14), and it would force Scripture to endorse sin (e.g., imagine becoming “a murderer to reach murderers” and a “liar to reach liars,” etc.).
The idea is that we, as followers of Jesus, as his church, are to adapt and adjust our way of life as much as we can within God-honoring limits in order to relate to non-Christians. It means taking initiative to fashion our lifestyles (think schedules, think social networks, think relationship priorities…) so as to create the best possible communication forums in which to express the love of Christ to those who don’t know Him.
Take note, it’s our job to flex and adapt and step out and enter into the lives of lost neighbors. It’s not their job to come to us—come enter our buildings, initiate conversation with us, and decipher our theological vocabulary. No, the burden of adaptation is entirely ours: if any kind of gospel communication is going to happen, we must step out of our comfort zones and engage the unbelievers around us.
Don’t miss the aim of it all: to “save some.” The goal of “all things” adaptation is, by God’s grace, to see unsaved people respond to Jesus in faith and receive his salvation! Let’s pray together toward that end, AND let’s shape our lifestyles to prioritize reaching the lost!
