The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1905-11-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSOR COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER rs.

Subject: Abstinence For the Sake Of
| Others, I. Cor. T., 23 33-Golden Text,
| 1. Cor. K. 1s-demory Verses. 31-33
! Comm entary on the Days Lesson.
! In verses 1922 Paul resumes the dis
| cussion from chapter S:13 touching the
! eating of meats which had been offered
in sacrifice to idols. In the lesson be-
| fore us we have some practical direc-
tons on this subject.
1. The duty of living for others Tvs.
%. %.
% ''All things are lawful I may
lawfully eat all kinds of food, but all
are not expedient. 1t would not be be-
coming in me to eat of all, because
should by this offend and grieve many
weak minds. Though it may be adj
mitted that it is strictly lawful to eat
meats offered to idols, yet there are
strong reasons why It is inexpedient,
and those reasons ought to have the
binding force of law. Not expedient"
And 50, being Improbable and injur-
ious. may thereby become unlawful.
''Edify not All things do not tend
to build up the cause of Christ. and
therefore are not expedient. "a. His
own" Let no man consult his own
happiness, pleasure or convenience,
but let him ask what will be for the
good Of others. No rule is laid down
about eating or not eating any kind of
food as matter OF Importance in it
self. With such things the gospel has
no concern. What Paul does prescribe
relates to the effect of our conduct upon
others. Let every man live not for
himself, but for every part of the great
human eamily with which he is sur
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each his neighbours good.''-R V. This
will cause true happiness.
II. The duty of guarding the weak
Tvs. $500. %. rs sold" The meats
OF idol sacrifices were often exposed to
sale in the markets especially by the
priests, when they had on hand a sur
plus. To the Christian this was as
lawful as any other meat. 'Sham-
bles." The meat stalls in the market.
Asking no question" The Jews were
veXed with innumerable scrup1es with
respect to their eating and were accus-
toned to ask many questions about
their food. as to where it was obtained.
now prepared. etc: all of these scruples
and questionings the gospel abolished.
20. Earth is the Lords" See Pisa.
4:1. This meat belongs to the Lord
and IS made for mans use. It does not
belong to the idol, even though it has
been offered to it. 1t may therefore be
partaken of as Gods gift q. Bid
feast" This refers to feast in a pri-
waite house. In verses 1922 the apostle
severely rebukes the practice of eating
at feasts in heather temples. because
this was one part of idolatrous wor-
ship. 1t pagan friend invite a Chris
tan to his home to dine he should eat
what Is set before him without vexing
his host with questions about his food.
But there is nothing here commanded
which would require a person TO eat or
drink that which is harmful
q. Say unto you" That is, if one
OF your fellow guests should display
scruples Of conscience, or a heather
should be likely to draw the inference
that you approved Of idol worship, this
altogether alters the case. You are no
longer simply eating with thankfulness
the food set before you as the gift of
God. but the question Of idOlatrous
worship of idols as permissible to a
Christian. 90. For why etc. This
verse and the next as a little obscure.
The meaning seems to be that mo man
has right to interfere with the liberty
enjoyed by another. save so far as his
victions are likely to be affected there
by" We must guard the point of
yielding to another's conscience, for
we may by obeying a mans false con-
science confirm his self-conceit, or es-
tablish false morality 80. IF by
grace" IF l partake with thankful
ness.''-R. V.
III. The correct rule of conduct Tvs.
1888.
81. EAT, or drink Thc glory of
God is to be the end of all our actions.
In themselves eating and drinking are
things Indifferent. but there are cir
cumstances in which they may be mat
tiers Of the highest Importance. In our
own day, for instance, the question OF
using or abstaining from intoxicating
liquors is one which ought to be dealt
with on the same principles which Paul
has laid down in this chapter Such q
question should be decided on one
ground alone, namely, whether by us
ing them or sustaining from them we
shall best promote the glory of God.
do ALL" This requires that we should
plan and order our whole life in &C
cordance with Gods law. "Glory of
Cod" To live to Gods glory should be
the high aim Of every individual. This
Is a sufficient rule to regulate every
mans conscience and practice.
81. "Give none offense" See r. Y.
Tho2gh you may be no better or worse
for eating meat or not eating. vet if
your conduct Injuries others and leads
them into sin you should abstain en-
tirely. 1t is far more important that
your brother should not be led into sin
than that you should partake of meat
which you acknowledge is in itself of
no Importance. This is general prin-
ciple which should regulate Christian
conduct at all time "Jews." The
apostle ever avoided offense to his
klnsmen after the flesh. "Gentiles."
Crossing none of their prejudices where
Gods law does not require it.
33. please all men," He did this
so far as he could righteously. MAY
be saved" His main object was to
seek the salvation Of all men. This
was the end in view. Salvation ena-
bles men to set aside their own ways
in order to uplift another Strife over
non-essentials destroys rather than
builds up the work of God.
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