To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law of Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
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Ambrosiaster
AD 400
To be under the law of Christ is to be under the law of God, because everything which is of Christ is of God. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
He did this by compassion, not by lying. For each one becomes like him whom he wants to help when such great mercy prevails as that each one would wish for himself if he were in the same misery. And so he becomes like the other—not by deceiving him but by putting himself in the other’s place.
To them that are without law, as without law. To the Gentiles I became as though I followed nature only as my light and leader, as the Gentiles do. So Å’cumenius, Theophylact, and Chrysostom.
To them that are without law, as without law. These were neither Jews, nor Christians, nor Greeks; but 'outside of the Law,' as was Cornelius, and if there were any others like him. For among these also making his appearance, he used to assume many of their ways. But some say that he hints at his discourse with the Athenians from the inscription on the altar, and that so he says, to them that are without law, as without law.
Then, lest any should think that the matter was a change of mind, he added, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ; i.e., so far from being without law, I am not simply under the Law, but I have that law which is much more exalted than the older one, viz. that of the Spirit and of grace. Wherefore also he adds, to Christ. Then again, having made them confident of his judgment, he states also the gain of such condescension, saying, that I might gain them that are without law. And every where he brings forward the cause of his condescension, and sto...
