John Chrysostom

"For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more." Here again he introduces another high step in advance. For a great thing it is even not to receive, but this which he is about to mention is much more than that. What then is it that he says? "Not only have I not received," saith he, "not only have I not used this right, but I have even made myself a slave, and in a slavery manifold and universal. …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 22 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He says something even greater. Not only did I not take, though I had the authority, but also, being free, not being subject to anyone, without external compulsion, I enslaved myself to all, not to one or two, but to the whole world, not in order to please everyone through flattery, but to gain "more" believers; for it is impossible to gain all.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Clement of Alexandria

And especially is it incumbent on those entrusted with such a dispensation to exhibit to disciples a pure example. "For though I be free from all men, I have made myself servant to all," it is said, "that I might gain all. And every one that striveth for mastery is temperate in all things." "But the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof." For conscience' sake, then, we are to abstain from what we ought to abstain. …

The Stromata Book 4 ↗