Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-11-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 2o.

Others, 1. Cor. K, s3. .33-GoIden Text,
i. Cor. X, 12-Hemory Verses, 3l-33
documentary on the Days lesson.
In verses 14-22 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-
tions on this subject.
|. The duty of living for others Tvs.
20, "a.
% "All things are lawful" | 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 ad-
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 so, being Improbable and iniur-
ious, may thereby become unlawful.
"Edify not" All things do not tend
to build up the cause of Christ, and
therefore are not eXpedent ~. His
oWn.' Let no man consult his own
happiness, pleasure or convenience,
Dut let LIli! tSh WlluI Will ne lDI Inc
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 family with which he is sur
rounded. "Another's wealth" But
each his neighDor's good R V. This
will cause true happiness.
ii. The duty of guarding the weak
Tvs. 25-30). 25. rs sold.' The meats
of idol sacrifices were often exposed to
sale in the markets especially by the
priests, when they had on hand sur
plus. To the C4tistan this was as
lawful as any other meat. "Sham-
bles.' The meat stalls in the market
asking no question: The Jews were
veXed with innumerablc scruplcs with
respect to their eating and were accuS-
toned to ask many questions about
their food, as TO where it was obtained,
how prepared, etc: all Of these scruples
and questonings the gospel abolished.
26. Earth is the Lords See Psa.
24:1. This meat belongs to the Lord
and IS made for mans use. 1t does not
belong to the idol, even though it has
been offered to it. 1t may therefore be
partaken of as Gods gift. p. bid
feast" This refers to feast in pri-
yate house. In verses 14-42 the apostle
severely rebukeS the practice Of eating
at feastS in heather temples, because
this was one part Of idoiatrous Wor-
ship. If pagan friend invite a Chris
tian to his home to dine he should rHt
what is set before him without VCNing
his host with questions about his food.
But there is nothing here commanded
which would require Il person to eat or
drink that which is harmful.
2S. Say unto you That is, if one
of your fellow guests should display
scrupleS of conscience or Il hcathen
should be likely to draw the Inference
that you approved Of idol worship, this
altogether alters the case. You ar" no
longer simply eating with thankfUlncss
the food set before you as the @tft Of
God, but the question of idO,atruuS
worship of idols as permissible u
Christian. 90. For why,' etc. This
verse and the next rs Il little obscure.
The meaning seems to be that no man
enjoyed by another. save so far as his
own conscience and conscientious con-
| victions are likely to be affected there
by" We must guard the point Of
yielding to another'S conscience, for
we may by obeying Il mans false CON
science confirm his sclr-c0nceit or es-
tablish a false morality. 30. "lt by
grace" 'If | partakc with thankful
ness."-R. V.
Ill. The correct rule of conduct Tvs.
31-33).
81. Eat, or drink" The Glory OF
! God is to be the end Of all olu actions.
In themselves eating and drinking are
things indifferent, but there are cir
cumstanccs in which they may be mat
ters of the highest Importance. In 0ur
own day, for instance, the question Of
using or aDstaintng from Intoxicating
liquors is one which ought to be dealt
with on the same principles which Paul
has laid down in this chapter Such Il
question should be decided on one
ground alone. namely. whether by us
! Ing them or abStaining from them we
shall best promote the glory of God.
do ALL" This requires that we should
plan and order our whole life in ac-
cordance with Gods law. "Glory OF
God" 10 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. "Giye none offense." See Il. V.
Though you may be no better or worse
for eating meat or not eating. yet II
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
kinsmen after the flesh. "Gentiles."
Crossing none Of prejudices where
Gods law does not require it.
33. "Please all men," He did this
so far as he could rlghteously. 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.
JaAn's purchases from the United
States in the fiscal year just closed
amounted to SOL,