Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-02-11

OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
knowledge and iove.............l Cor. S:l-3.
The liberty OF knowleGse......IC Cor. $40
The self-deniai OF love...........l Cor. S.1-l3
thanksgiving Of \. ID. o.
PLACE -Ephesus
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Recall from the study of a week ago
what sort of a city Coxuth was, and
think of the many questions OF practi-
cal every day conduct that would he
apt to trouble a handful of Christians
living in the midst of such a great pa
ban city. AS a matter of fact this letter
of Paul to the Christians in Corinth
was a reply to n letter from them in
which they had told him of their iii
culties and asked his counsel. One of
the questions they asked him was what
TO do about eating meat that had been
offered before idols. The markets
were full of it, for the priests could
eat only a part, and sold the rest. Some
held that it was wrong TO eat it, for
IT seemed to them like taking part in
heather worship, and others held that
it made no difference one way or the
other. Those who did not eat looked
down upon those who ate for indulg-
ing in what they considered questiona-
bic practices. Those who ate. believ-
ing that it was not question of right
and wrong at all, looked down on their
brethren for being so superstitious as
to think that the fooliShness of offer
ing piece of meat before the statue
OF an imaginary divinity made it wrong
to eat the beef. acknowledge" The
letter to Paul had probably boosted
"knowledge," and the broader of the
two views just mentioned. Paul
checks that boasting instantly.
knowledge is not to decide. but love.
After the question. What theory rs
to this meat is most reas ona BILE ," is
TINS other, What course of action
would be most kind and helpful?"
Heart, not brain, must decide.
iaul clearly takes the side of the
more liberal and broad minded CORN
thians, and holds that the thing ia it,
self is not wrong. Idols are nothing
and the previous experience of the
meat we eat has as little to do with
the religion of Jesus Christ as the price
we pay pound for it. Paul would
nave his converts he liberal and en-
ilghtened; he would have them glory
In the liberty they have in the GOSPEL
'Ilowbeit:" Paul does not sim
there There is not in all men that
knowledge: That insight. cIearness
and breadth of view which Paul and
part of the Corinthians have attained
Some of those who had been idolators
were unable to shake off the feeling
mat IN using meat that had been a
part OF an ldolatrous ceremonial. lust
as they had done before conversion
they were compromising with idoIa-
try. They, too, knew that idols were
nothing. but felt that this was wrong
Conscience protested, and to disrepord
conscience is sin. Take heed" BROAD.
minded freedom is good, but il must
not make one forget to be kind; it does
not Justify selfishness. In theory ne
he shows in the next chapter. Paul was
most liberal in practice, most con.
servative for the sake of others. In
settIing all questions of right and
wrong conduct, now as then. there is
the greatest need Of charity. love. nm
seIfshness. The Christian must NOT
simply ask, How does the matterlooL
to me? Would il do me any harm, -,
but he must ask, What would be hest
for all concerned?" We NAV feel that
1t is best to give up some things for
the sake Of others-not that we are
governed by their cousciences. for we
are not-but simply that the giving mn
might help them.
IL may sometimes seem best tovot,
Paul knew that it was only ouestior
Of time and clear thinking when bis
own liberal view should prevail He
was willing TO wait Right and reason
are bound to win, and the Christian
can better afford to have charity and
wait than TO ride rough shod over ovon
the unreasonable scruples of his bretb.
rem.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
knowledge pufeth up, but love
buildeth up" Better love ,vitbout
knowledge than knowledge without
love.
IT is not so much n question NJ
what one may do, but what is bes,
and wisest for him to do.
Better give up any pleasure tbor
to indulge in il to some ones undo
ing.
If one leads weaker brother