1 Corinthians 8:13

Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble,. will eat no flesh for evermore, that. cause not my brother to stumble.

'Wherefore' -'And here is the conclusion of. really brilliant scholar!' (McGuiggan p. 126)

'if' -in the event. Always ready to forego his "rights" if the situation demanded it.

'my brother' -one that placed the spiritual welfare of his brother, above his own "rights".

-'We who are strong in knowledge must be equally strong in love.' (Lenski p. 349)

IV. CONCLUDING REMARKS:

In his commentary Fee has some good closing observations:

'(1) The issue is not that of "offending" someone in the church. It has to do with conduct that another would "emulate"--indeed, in this case apparently is being urged to emulate--to his or her own hurt.

(3) What would seem to be an illegitimate use of the principle, even in the broader terms of v. 13, is for those who feel "offended" to try to force all others to conform to their own idiosyncrasies of behavior. Paul makes it quite clear in Romans 14:1 that on matters of indifference people within any given community should learn to live together in harmony, with no group demanding their own behavior of the others.

(4) The real concern of the passage needs. regular hearing in the church. Personal behavior is dictated not by knowledge, freedom, or law, (I would add merely or only) but by love for those within the community of faith. Everything one does that affects relationships within the body of Christ should have care for brothers and sisters as its primary motivation.' (Fee p. 392)