Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. Ver. 1. _Now as touching things_] Another case that they had propounded to him in their letter, 1 Corinthians 7:1 . _ We know_] So all pretend. _Sed nummos habuerunt Atheniens... [ Continue Reading ]
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. Ver. 2. _If any man think_] This is one thing I know, that I know nothing, said Socrates. Neither know I this yet, that I know nothing, saith another. Though I know myself ignorant of many things (saith a th... [ Continue Reading ]
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. Ver. 3. _But if any man love God_] And his neighbour for God's sake; his friends in God, his foes for God. _ The same is known of him_] That is, knows him savingly, Galatians 4:9, is taught of God, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, who only gives true wisdom,... [ Continue Reading ]
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol _is_ nothing in the world, and that _there is_ none other God but one. Ver. 4. _Is nothing in the world_] A mere fiction it is, that the idol representeth a brat of man's brain. We may... [ Continue Reading ]
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) Ver. 5. _That are called gods_] Hesiod reckons up 30,000 of them that were in his time, Τρις γαρ μυριοι εισιν επι χθονι πουλυβοτειρη αθανατοι. What an army may we think there were of th... [ Continue Reading ]
But to us _there is but_ one God, the Father, of whom _are_ all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom _are_ all things, and we by him. Ver. 6. _But to us there is but one God_] Be the gods of the heathen good fellows (saith one), the true God is a jealous God, and will not share... [ Continue Reading ]
Howbeit _there is_ not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat _it_ as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. Ver. 7. _Unto this hour_] Though they have been better taught and clearly convinced, yet they stiffly retain,... [ Continue Reading ]
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. Ver. 8. _But meat commendeth us not_] This is another objection: meat is indifferent. The apostle answers,... [ Continue Reading ]
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. Ver. 9. True, it is indifferent, so it prove not a stumblingblock to the unresolved. For in such a case thou must suspend thy liberty, and forbear to exercise it.... [ Continue Reading ]
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; Ver. 10. _Be emboldened_] This is, _Proficere in peius, aedificare in gehennam, _ To make in more evil, is to bu... [ Continue Reading ]
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? Ver. 11. _Thy weak brother perish_] Revolt to paganism, or at least pollute his conscience with mortal sin, which shall be set upon thy score? And hast thou not sins enough of thine own to answer for?... [ Continue Reading ]
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Ver. 12. _And wound their weak consciences_] Gr. τυπτοντες, beat upon it to make it sound heavily, as a shaulm (shawm). _a_ Sin is as a stroke upon the heart,2 Samuel 24:10 . _ Ye sin against Christ_]... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Ver. 13. _While the world standeth_] We must stand unchangeably resolved, neither to give offence carelessly, nor to take offence causelessly.... [ Continue Reading ]