Paul arrived in Jerusalem and immediately confronted a problem. Local Jewish leaders claimed Paul undercut the law of Moses. In order to prove the rumors false, and help people listen to the gospel message, Paul underwent a Jewish purification ritual (shaving his head in the process).

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

The haircut failed to pacify the haters, and the next day they rioted. The mob beat Paul and would have killed him, if not for the quick action of the commander of the Roman regiment. His soldiers waded into the crowd and rescued Paul. On his way out, Paul surprised the Roman leader by addressing him in Greek.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

Paul asked to speak. The commander allowed it, so Paul motioned for quiet. In the silence, Paul addressed the people in their own language, Aramaic.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

These words of Paul’s, written to the church members in Corinth (I Corinthians 9:22), weren’t just a theory. Paul sought the lingua franca, the common language that everyone around him understood. Be it through their heart language, like Greek or Aramaic, or important actions, like a purification ritual, Paul went out of his way to relate to people on their turf.

Paul broke down barrier after barrier after barrier, so that by all means He might save some.

Acts 21 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Soner Eker