the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment; and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. CHAP. VIII.* 1 To abstain from meats offer ed to idols. 8 We must not abuse our Christian liberty. NOW, as touching a things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 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 a Touching, concerning. offered to idols. heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 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 b as a thing offered unto an idol ; & 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. 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 ab Eat it, eat the sacrifice. * To render this chapter more intelligible, it may be observed, that when the Heathens offered sacrifices of such animals as were fit for food, a part of the carcase was burnt on the altar, a part was given to the priest, and on the remainder the offerers feasted with their friends, either in the idol's temple, or at home. Sometimes a part was sent as a present to friends; and if the sacrifice was large, a part of it was sold in the market. To these idolatrous feasts the Christians were often invited, and sometimes went. To caution them against offending their weak or ignorant brethren, and to direct them in their intercourse with their idolatrous neighbours Paul wrote this and part of the tenth chapter. I. Corinthians. Ministers ought to gainst the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend,c I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. CHAP. IX.* 1 Paul sheweth his liberty, and that the ministers ought to live by the Gospel. 24 Our life is like unto a race. AM I not an apostle? am I not free ?a have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord ? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me, is this; 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord,b and Cephas ?c c Make my brother to offend, offend my brother, or cause him to sin. a Am I not a free-man? b The brethren of the Lord, James, Judas, and Simon. c Cephas, Peter. live by the gospel. 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses,d Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox, that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written; that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things Pe 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power; but * To understand this chapter, we may suppose, some enemy to Paul had taught the Corinthians, that he was an impostor, not an apostle, and that his preaching gratis, or without compensation, was an evidence, he was conscious of it; but he assures them he was an apostle and a free-man, and that he had power, or a right to eat and drink at their expense, or to require a support not only for himself, but also for a wife or sister, had he found it convenient or necessary for either to accompany him; and though he declined using this power, he taught, that they, who preach the Gospel ought to live of the Gospel, or were entitled to a support for their labour. Paul's account of Chap. ix. suffer all things, lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar, are partakers with the altar ? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things; neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me; for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, wo is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation f of the Gospel is com mitted unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily, that,when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made my self servant unto all, that I might gain the more. f Dispensation, the care or preaching. The latter part of this verse may be rendered-But if the care of the Gospel is confided to me against my will, I bave no reward. his manner of life. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not, that they which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery,g is temperate in all things. Now, they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. ishments, 11 our examples. 21 We must not make the Lord's table the table of devils. MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses a in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink; (for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ :) 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now, these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written,b The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, a See chap. i. verse 13. b As it is written, Ex. xxxii. 6. types of ours. and were destroyed of the destroyer.c 11 Now, all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.d 12 Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men: judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of In the ten first verses of this chapter, Paul, in opposition to the opinion of the Jews, and the doctrine of a false teacher at Corinth, . shews, that no privileges will exempt the disobedient from punishment; for as the peculiar favour of raculous deliverance and preservation, God to the fathers manifested by mi could not save the wicked among them from punishment; so our Gospel privileges, baptism and the Lord's supper, can never commend us to God, and secure his favour, if we presumptuously sin against him. d The ends of the world. This may mean the end of the Mosaic dispensation, or the last dispensation of religion, i. e. the Christian dispensation. Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh. Are not they which eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar ? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing? or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy are we stronger ? than he? 23 All things e are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles,f that eat, asking e. All things. Paul means, that under the Gospel all meats are lawful for him and for others; but it may not be expedient to eat all kinds, lest offence might be given. f Shambles, market. forbidden. no questiong for conscience' sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you eat, asking no question for conscience' sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience' sake; for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other; for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that, for which I give thanks ?. 31 Whether, therefore, ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. CHAP. XI. 1 He reproveth them, because, in holy assemblies, 4 their men prayed with their heads g Asking no question, whether it have been offered in sacrifice to idols. |
