The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-14

INTRODUCTION.-S are gener-
ally agreed that Paurs first epistle to the
Corinthians was written from Ephesus,
about A. d. 81, or three years after his
first letter to the Thessalonians, in which
our last lesson occurred. Before begin
ming the study of the present passage,
one not only needs to read the context,
from the opS.ing of the seventh chapter,
but also to learn the historic setting by
referring to Acts xviii 1-19 1t will thus
appear that the apostle is giving in this
part of this letter instruction on several
points about which questions had been
raised Q Corinthians, vii, - These ques-
tions involved many matters of domes-
tic and personal character wherein Chris
tianity was distinguished from heathen-
ism. This eighth chapter touches a SUBJ
ject which greatly agitated the apostolic
church-may Christians eat meat that
had previously been offered to idols? The
reply could not be made in a simple af-
firmative or negative without hurting
some one. The treatment given was calm
and dignified, ,considerate and satisfactory.
KNOWLEDGE.-Paul seeks at the out
set to lift the discussion out of the realm
of mere knowledge Oversees l and 81 He
was the last man to disparage the intel
lectual investigation of a matter-on the
contrary, he always urged his people to
use their reasons q Thessalonians, V, 2l)
And here he calls attention to the fact
that "all have knowledge" ON this point,
as was indeed true, for the apostle at
Jerusalem several years before had sent
a circular letter to the churches, that
was both explicit and final. (Acts, XIV, 80
Some men would have fallen back on that
utteranee and closed the debate with few
words. But Paul feH that such a course
would be dangerous. He refers to the
Co lot InAn al fnt1
believing that while those who held the
view in harmony with the canon might
be satisfied, they would also be injured
by triumphing over others. To remove
all conceit from any mind and to save
the church from dosmatism and legal
ism, he declares that II "any man thinks
he knows anything" absolutely and thor
oughly he is deceived, and "knows moth
ing as he ought to know It," Galatians,
vi, 81 All knowledge is partial q Corinth-
ians, xiii, 81 and therefore an inadequate
basis in itself for action.
CHARITY.-How then shall this ques-
tion be decided? II not by the commands
Of the original founders of the church,
sitting at Jerusalem, and publishing the
mind of the Holy Ghost (Acts XIV. 23),
then by what standard? Paul does not
leave the Corinthians long in doubt. He
shows that another element must be
brought in without which no correct con-
clusion would be possible, and that ele-
ment was charity (verse }, which, further
on, he commends as superior to all other
virtues. q Corinthians, xiii, 49, Does
man love God? II so, God recognizes him
as his child, whether the man eats meat
offered to IDOLS or refrains. 1t follows
that all who sove God, whatever their
practice in this matter, whatever their
opinions about It, must regard each other
as brethren In common household. This
is a plain and bold utterance of the es-
sence of Christianity (Matthew, xxi, 81
40 as taught by the Master, to be re-
garded before all commands. It is not in
tended to depreciate knowledge, but to
exalt love, or rather adjust and confirm
knowledge in the spirit of love. There
is no other way TO come to the truth.
IDOIIATRY.-Having thus introduced