The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-14
INrRopucr1oN-scholars ave gener.

ally agreed that Paul's first epistle to
the Corinthians was written from
Ephesus, about a. d. IS, or three years
inter his first letter to the Thessalon-
ians In which our last lesson occurred.
Before beginning the study OF the pres
cnt passage one needs not only to read
the context, from the opening OF the
seventh chapter, but also learn the his
toric setting by referring to Acts xviii:
10. 1t Will thus appear that the apos-
tie is giving In this part of his letter
instruction on several points on which
questions had been raised. Il Cor, vii:I.)
These questions involved many matters
OF domestic and personal character
wherein Christianity was distinguished
from heathenism, This eighth chap
ter touches subject which greatly ag-
taeed the apostolic church--may Chris
ttans eat meat that had previously been
offereds to idols? The reply could not
be made In simple affirmative or mega
tive without hurting someone. The
treatment gigen was calm and digni-
fled, considerable and satisfactory.
KNOWLEDGE-Paul seeks at the out.
set to lift the discussion out OF the realm
Of mere knowledge. Verses l and 81
He was the last man to dtsparage the
intellectual Investigation OF a matter
on the contrary he always urged his
people to use their reason. Il Thesa
y:21) And here he calls attention to
the fact that 'all have knowledge on
this point as was indeed true for the
apostles at Jerusalem several years be-
fore had sent n circular letter to the
churches that was both explicit and H.
nal. (Acts xv:29) Some men would have
fallen back on that utterance and closed
the debate with few words. But Paul
felt that such course would be dan
4 gerous. He refers to the fact that
vv1o ,1o $nkt, A1lJ1
Ing that while those who had held the
view In harmony with the canon might
be satisfied they might also be injured
by triumphfng over others To remove
oil conceit from any mind and to save
the church from dogmatism and legal
Ism he declares that II .any man thinks
that he knows anything absolutely and
thoroughly he Is deceived and knows
nothing as he ought to know it, GAL.
vi:3.) All knowledge is partial Il Cor,
x1ii:9). and therefore an inadequate basis
IN itself for action.
CHAR1TY-How then shall this ques-
ton be decided? II not by the COM
mands of the original founders OF the
church sitting at Jerusalem and pub
fishing the mind OF the Holy Ghost
(Acts xv:2s), thon by what standard2
\ Paul does not leave the Corinthians long
in doubt. lie shows that another ele-
ment must be brought in. without which
no correct conclusion could BIO possible
and that element was charity (verse 81
which, further on. he commends as SUI
perior to any other virtue, Il Cor. kill
49, Does a man love God7 If so
( Sod recognizes him as His child whether
the man eats meat offered to idols or
refrains. It follows that all who love
God. whatever their practice In this
matter whatever their opinion about 1t,
must regard ench other as brethren In
common household. This Is plain and
bold utterance of the essence Of Chris.
.ionlty lMatt, xxii:a-40, as taught by
the Master, to be regarded before nil
1 commands. 1t is not intended to depreci.
ate knowledge. but to exalt love, or
rather adjust and confirm knowledge in
the spirit OF love. There Ia no other
way to come to tho truth.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES thus introduced
en-. primary and vital principal of the
christian religion, to remove the heat
ship Oversees 4 and g. IAN idol h
ship Verses and O. IAN idol Is
nothing" he declares, as all Christians
know mere form constructed Nv men
for wogship. dsa. xiiv:17-1s,) The fol-!
lower OF Jesus Knows that there Is but
zone Cod the Father, of whom are all
things" and zone Lord, Jesus Christi
Hence, the service paid to idols is mere
folly. (Acts, xiv:15.) 1t would appear
that this teaching would have n double
bearing upon tho question in hand, Mor,
II the idol was nothing, meat offered to
him was In no wise affected thereby
ana he who might afterwards ont of Il
would be unln1ured. L Besides, by eating
It the same as any other flesh, tho Chris
tian might virtually declare to the heath,
en- about him that he had no regard
whatever for his foolish and profitless
exercises.
sCT1NCE-Th logic of the last
paragraph leads inevitably to the con-
clusion that meat offered to Idols might
! be eaten, Immediately tho question
must have been raised by many. why
then the early apostolic prohibitions Tho
reason may be found In the apostles
next words, (Yerse - Every man does
not know what he has Just said, Some
have more serious views of idolatry.
They think of It Ms system, Of false
Rogsafa which has been forbidden In