CHAPTER VIII. _The question of the Corinthians concerning meats offered to_ _idols, and the apostle's preface to his instructions on that_ _head_, 1-3. _The nature of idolatry_, 4, 5. _Of genuine worship_, 6. _Some ate of the animals that had been offered to idols_ _knowingly, and so defiled... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:2. _HE KNOWETH NOTHING YET_, c.] The person who acts in this rash, unfeeling way, from the general knowledge which he has of the vanity of idolatry and the liberty which the Gospel affords from Jewish rites, with all his knowledge does not know this, that though the _first_ and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:3. _BUT IF ANY MAN LOVE GOD_] In that way which the commandment requires, which will necessarily beget love to his neighbour, _the same is known of him _- is approved of God, and acknowledged as his genuine follower.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:4. _THINGS THAT ARE OFFERED IN SACRIFICE_] See on the first verse. See on the first verse, 1 Corinthians 8:1 _AN IDOL_ IS _NOTHING IN THE WORLD_] Dr. Lightfoot translates this, _We know that there is no idol in the world_; which he explains thus: ειδωλον, idol, is ὁμοιωμα, ε... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:5. _THERE BE THAT ARE CALLED GODS_] There are many _images_ that are supposed to be _representations_ of divinities: but these divinities are nothing, the figments of mere fancy; and these images have no corresponding realities. _WHETHER IN HEAVEN OR IN EARTH_] As the _sun, mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:6. _BUT TO US_ THERE _IS BUT ONE GOD, THE FATHER_] Who produced all things, himself uncreated and unoriginated. _And we_ _in him_, καιημειςειςαυτον, _and we_ FOR _him_; all intelligent beings having been created for the purpose of manifesting his glory, by receiving and reflect... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:7. THERE IS _NOT IN EVERY MAN THAT KNOWLEDGE_] This is spoken in reference to what is said, 1 Corinthians 8:4: _We know that an idol is nothing in the world; for some with a_ _conscience of the idol_, viz. that it is _something, eat it_-the flesh that was offered to the idol, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:8. _MEAT COMMENDETH US NOT TO GOD_] No such feasts as these can be a recommendation of our souls or persons to the Supreme Being. As to the _thing_, considered in _itself_, the _eating_ gives us no spiritual advantage; and the _eating not_ is no spiritual loss.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:9. _BUT TAKE HEED_] Lest by frequenting such feasts and eating things offered to idols, under the conviction that _an idol_ _is nothing_, and that you may eat those things innocently, this liberty of yours should become a means of grievously offending a weak brother who has not... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:10. _IF ANY MAN SEE THEE WHICH HAST KNOWLEDGE_] Of the true God, and who art reputed for thy skill in Divine things. _SIT AT MEAT IN THE IDOL'S TEMPLE_] Is it not strange that any professing the knowledge of the true God should even enter one of those temples? And is it not mo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:11. _SHALL THE WEAK BROTHER PERISH_] Being first taught by thy conduct that there was no harm in thus eating, he grieves the Spirit of God; becomes again darkened and hardened; and, sliding back into idolatry, dies in it, and so finally perishes. _FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED?_] So w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:12. _BUT WHEN YE SIN SO AGAINST THE BRETHREN_] Against _Christians_, who are called by the Gospel to abhor and detest all such abominations. _YE SIN AGAINST CHRIST._] By sending to perdition, through your bad example, a soul for whom he shed his blood; and so far defeating the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 8:13. _WHEREFORE_, c.] Rather than give any occasion to a Christian to sin against and so to harden his conscience that he should return to idolatry and perish, I would not only abstain from all _meats offered to idols_, but I would eat _no flesh_, should I exist through the _who... [ Continue Reading ]