SECT. IV. CHAP. VIII. 1-13. CONTENTS. THIS section is concerning the eating things offered to idols; wherein one may guess, by St. Paul's answer, that they had writ to him, that they knew their christian liberty herein, that they knew that an idol was nothing; and, therefore, that they did well to show their knowledge of the nullity of the heathen gods, and their disregard of them, by eating promiscuously, and without scruple, things offered to them. Upon which, the design of the apostle here seems to be, to take down their opinion of their knowledge, by showing them, that, notwithstanding all the knowledge they presumed on, and were puffed up with, yet the eating of those sacrifices did not recommend them to God; vid. ver. 8, and that they might sin in their want of charity, by offending their weak brother. This seems plainly, from ver. 1-3, and 11, 12, to be the design of the apostle's answer here, and not to resolve the case, of eating things offered to idols, in its full latitude. For then he would have prosecuted it more at large here, and not have deferred the doing of it to chap. x. where, under another head, he treats of it more particularly. TEXT. 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. PARAPHRASE. 1 As for things offered up unto idols, it must not be questioned, but that every one of you, who stand so much upon your knowledge, know that the imaginary gods, to whom the gentiles sacrifice, are not in reality gods, but mere fictions; but, with this, pray remember, that such a knowledge, or opinion of their knowledge, swells men with pride and vanity. But charity it TEXT. 2 (And if any man think, that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet, as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 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. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven, or in earth, as there be gods many, and lords many. PARAPHRASE. is, that improves and advances men in christianity 2 (But, if any one be conceited of his own knowledge, as if christianity were a science for speculation and dispute, he knows nothing yet of christianity, as he 3 ought to know it. But if any one love God, and consequently his neighbour for God's sake, such an one is made to know †, or has got true knowledge 4 from God himself. To the question, then, of eating things offered to idols, I know, as well as you, that an idol, i.e. that the fictitious gods, whose images are in the heathen temples, are no real beings in the world: 5 and there is in truth no other but one God. For though there be many imaginary nominal gods, both in heaven and earth, as are indeed all their many NOTES. 1 * To continue the thread of the apostle's discourse, the 7th verse must be read as joined to the 1st, and all between looked on as a parenthesis. 3 + "Eyvwsα, "is made to know," or "is taught." The apostle, though writing in greek, yet often uses the greek verbs according to the Hebrew conjugations. So chap. xiii. 12, iуcopα, which, according to the greek propriety, signifies," I shall be known," is used for," I shall be made to know;" and so, Gal. iv. 9, yvwolévτes is put to signify, "being taught.” 5 In heaven and earth." The heathens had supreme sovereign gods, whom they supposed eternal, remaining always in the heavens; those were called ol, gods: they had besides another order of inferior gods, “gods upon "earth," who, by the will and direction of the heavenly gods, governed terrestrial things, and were the mediators between the supreme, heavenly gods, and men, without whom there could be no communication between them. These were called in scripture, Baalim, i. e. Lords: and by the Greeks, Aafucves. To this the apostle alludes here, saying, though there be, in the opinion of the heathens, "gods many," i. e. many celestial, sovereign gods, in heaven: and "lords many, i. e. many Baalim," or Lords-agent, and presidents over earthly things; yet to us, christians, there is but one sovereign God, the Father, of whom are all things, and to whom, as supreme, we are to direct all our services: and but one Lord-agent, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, that come from the Father to us, and, through whom alone we find access unto him. Mede's disc. on 2 Pet. ii. 1, or disc. 43, p. 242. TEXT. 6 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.) 7 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. 8 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. 9 But take heed, lest, by any means, this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak. PARAPHRASE. 6 gods, and many lords, which are merely titular; Yet to us christians, there is but one God, the Father and the Author of all things, to whom alone we address all our worship and service; and but one Lord, viz. Jesus Christ, by whom all things come from God to us, and by whom we have access to the Father.) 7 For notwithstanding all the great pretences to knowledge, that are amongst you, every one doth not know, that the gods of the heathens are but imaginations of the fancy, mere nothing. Some, to this day, conscious to themselves, that they think those idols to be real deities, eat things sacrifiecd to them, as sacrificed to real deities; whereby doing that which they, in their consciences, not yet sufficiently enlightened, 8 think to be unlawful, are guilty of sin. Food, of For what kind soever, makes not God regard us*. neither, if in knowledge, and full persuasion, that an idol is nothing, we eat things offered to idols, do we thereby add any thing to christianity: or if, not being so well informed, we are scrupulous, and forbear, are 9 we the worse christians, or are lessened by itt. But this you knowing men ought to take especial care of: that the power of freedom you have to eat, be not made such an use of, as to become a stumbling-block to weaker christians, who are not convinced of that NOTES. 8* Ou wapisno, sets us not before God, i. e. to be taken notice of by him. + It cannot be supposed, that St. Paul, in answer to a letter of the corinthians, should tell them, that, if they eat things offered to idols, they were not the better; or, if they eat not, were not the worse, unless they had expressed some opinion of good in eating. TEXT. 10 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? 11 And, through thy knowledge, shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But, when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh, while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. PARAPHRASE. 10 liberty. For if such an one should see thee, who hast this knowledge of thy liberty, sit feasting in an idol-temple, shall not his weak conscience, not thoroughly instructed in the matter of idols, be drawn in by thy example to eat what is offered to idols, though he, in his conscience, doubt of its lawfulness? 11 And thus thy weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by thy knowledge, wherewith thou 12 justifiest thy eating. But when you sin thus against your brethren, and wound their weak consciences, 13 you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother offend, I will never more eat flesh, to avoid making my brother offend. SECT. V. CHAP. IX. 1-27. CONTENTS. ST. Paul had preached the gospel at Corinth, about two years; in all which time, he had taken nothing of them, 2 Cor. xi. 7—9. This, by some of the opposite faction, and particularly, as we may suppose, by their leader, was made use of, to call in question his apostleship, 2 Cor. xi. 5, 6. For why, if he were an apostle, should he not use the power of an apostle, to demand maintenance, where he preached? In this section, St. Paul vindicates his apostleship; and, in answer to these enquirers, gives the reason why, though he had a right to maintenance, yet he preached gratis to the corinthians. My answer, says he, to these inquisitors, is, that though, as being an apostle, I know that I have a right to maintenance, as well as Peter, or any other of the apostles, who all have a right, as is evident from reason, and from scripture; yet I never have, nor shall make use of my privilege amongst you, for fear that, if it cost you any thing, that should hinder the effect of my preaching: I would neglect nothing, that might promote the gospel. For I do not content myself with doing barely what is my duty; for, by my extraordinary call and commission, it is now incumbent on me to preach the gospel; but I endeavour to excel in my ministry, and not to execute my commission covertly, and just enough to serve the turn. For if those, who, in the agonistic games, aiming at victory, to obtain only a corruptible crown, deny themselves in eating and drinking, and other pleasures, how much more does the eternal crown of glory deserve that we should do our utmost to obtain it? To be as careful, in not indulging our bodies, in denying our pleasures, in doing every thing we could, in order to get it, as if there were but one that should have it? Wonder not therefore, if I, having this in view,neglect my body, and those outward conveniencies, that I, as an apostle sent to preach the gospel, might claim and make use of: wonder not that I prefer the propagating of the gospel, and making of converts, to all care and regard of myself. This seems the design of the apostle, and will give light to the following discourse, which we shall now take, in the order St. Paul writ it. TEXT. 1 AM I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? PARAPHRASE. 1 AM I not an apostle? And am I not at liberty*, as much as any other of the apostles, to make use of the NOTE. 1 * It was a law amongst the jews, not to receive alms from the gentiles. |