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1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:22
I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

 
“When in Rome do as the Romans do.”
 
Saint Augustine lived in Milan with his mother, Monica. They planned to visit Rome and discovered that Saturday was the day to observe fasting. However, that was not the customary day which they observed it at home. They consulted Saint Ambrose who said "When I am here (in Milan) I do not fast on Saturday, when in Rome I do fast on Saturday." That reply has produced the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
 
This captures a bit of the cultural flexibility that Paul calls for in verse 22. Maybe I’m not accustomed to doing something in a certain way, but am I willing to adjust my approach in order to connect with the culture around me? I cannot hope to deliver the gospel if I am not consciously building bridges.
 
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