_as touching things offered unto idols_ These were the parts of the sacrifice not consumed by fire, but reserved, as in the Jewish peace-offerings (see Leviticus 7:15-16; Leviticus 22:30), for the use of the priest and the worshipper. Sometimes (see ch. 1 Corinthians 10:25) the meat not consumed was... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Corinthians 8:1-13. The Question of Meats offered in Sacrifice to Idols There is a great general similarity between this chapter and Romans 14. The question comes before the reader there in a somewhat different form. There rules are laid down concerning clean and unclean meats; here about meats o... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know_ We have knowledge, certainly, but it is by no means perfect knowledge. Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 13:12. And therefore let us not presume to act upon our imperfect knowledge, as though we were -as gods, knowing g... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if any man love God, the same is known of him_ Cf. 1 John 4:7-8. But it is observable that St Paul, dealing with inquisitive and argumentative people like the Corinthians and Galatians, takes care to invert the phrase, so as to exclude all glorying on the part of man. In Galatians 4:9 he correc... [ Continue Reading ]
_we know that an idol is nothing in the world_ Some have rendered, _that there is no idol in the world_, but the rendering in the text gives the clearest sense; "A name without a thing, a mere figment of the human heart." Estius.... [ Continue Reading ]
_as there be gods many, and lords many_ The Apostle does not say there _are_many gods or lords, but only that the gods of the heathen are _called_so. Calvin reminds us that the sun and moon, which have been deified by some, are but our servants, and that other so-called gods of the heathen are but d... [ Continue Reading ]
_to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things_ There is but one eternal First Cause and fountain of existence. Compare for the whole passage Ephesians 4:5-6. "The ancient doctors have not stuck to call the Father the _origin_, the _cause_, the _author_, the _root_, the _fountain_,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge_ See note on 1 Corinthians 8:1. _for some with conscience of the idol_ Some editors read _by familiarity with_instead of _with conscience of_. If so, we must understand the passage of Gentile converts, who by long habit had become so accustomed to th... [ Continue Reading ]
_But meat commendeth us not to God_ Rather, PRESENTETH US. Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:14; Colossians 1:22; Colossians 1:28. The same word is used in Romans 14:10 (where it is translated _stand_, literally, _be presented_). Cf. ch. 1 Corinthians 6:13. It is not Christ's creature, doomed to perish, but _Chri... [ Continue Reading ]
_this liberty of yours_ Rather, RIGHT. Under ordinary circumstances we have a right to act upon our rational convictions. But this right has its limits, see ch. 1 Corinthians 6:12, and note. We are bound to respect the scruples of the conscientious, though perhaps unenlightened man. In this particul... [ Continue Reading ]
_For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple_ St Paul would seem here to be putting an extreme case. He supposes the more enlightened believer to have carried his views of the non-existence of idols to their utmost possible limits, and to have seated himself in the... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall the weak brother perish_ Some read, _the weak brother is perishing_. Cf. Romans 14:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ye sin against Christ_ Cf. St Matthew 25:40; Matthew 25:45. For the reason of this compare St John 17 throughout, as also such passages as Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:23; Ephesians 3:17; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19; and ch.... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend_ "This abridgment of their liberty is a duty more especially incumbent on all who are possessed of influence." Robertson. And Estius remarks how St Paul in his ardour for the conversion of souls, was ready not only to ab... [ Continue Reading ]