Golden Text.—“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.” Rom. 14:19.
(1) “Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. (2) If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know; (3) but if any man loveth God, the same is known by Him. (4) Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. (5) For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; (6) yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through Him. (7) Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge; but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (8) But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. (9) But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak. (10) For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? (11) For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died. (12) And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. (13) Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.”
NOTE.—This lesson is the quarterly temperance lesson, and the whole chapter should be studied in connection with Rom. 14:1-23 and 1 Cor. 10:17-33. Remember in your study of this lesson that the Corinthian church had been out of heathendom only about five years.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) With what question does this lesson deal? What is a common possession of mankind? But what is it likely to do? What is of greater worth? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What is true of the wisest person? Verse 2. (3) What is better than any knowledge of earthly things? Verse 3, last clause. What is the only thing that will bring this about? Verse 3, first clause. (4) What do we know concerning idols and things sacrificed to idols? But what knowledge have we in regard to God? Verse 4. (5) But what did Paul recognize the existence of? Verse 5. (6) What do we know concerning God the Father? What concerning our Lord Jesus Christ? Verse 6. (7) What must we recognize concerning others? Through long continuance in idolatry, what would some be inclined still to do? To what would this lead? Verse 7. Note 2. (8) In what alone may we not expect to find God’s commendation? What is eating alone unable to do for us? Verse 8. (9) Nevertheless, of what must the Christian be careful? Verse 9. (10) What would be the probable result if Christians partook of meat known to have been offered to idols? What would make this result possible? Verse 10. Note 3. (11) For what, then, would a Christian so indulging become responsible? Verse 11. (12) In so doing, against whom are we sinning? (13) In view of this responsibility, what example did Paul determine to set before his brethren? Verse 13.
NOTES.
1. “Knowledge puffeth up.”—All profess to have knowledge of what things are best for them; but that knowledge without a love or care for others only increases that individual’s estimation of his own importance, and permits him to set a pernicious example before others. Knowledge of what is not harmful to us is not sufficient. Others may fall where we consider ourselves able to stand. Love will enable us to give greater consideration to our influence and its results than we do to satisfying our own desires. Many of the members of the Corinthian church knew that the food was not changed by being offered to idols; so they had no compunctions of conscience against eating it. There were others of weak consciences, who still were beset by the shadows of their former superstition. By seeing other and better instructed Christians eating this food, they would eat it also, altho their consciences were against it. By breaking over their conscience, they weakened it, and thus weakened their own Christian character, and were in danger of ultimate fall; and for this result the better instructed Christian would be largely responsible.
2. Chargeable for another’s fall.—Our course becomes a serious matter when another’s destruction can be traced back to our act. Many who call themselves Christians do not hesitate to take part in what they call “an innocent game of cards.” Others take part with them in such pastimes, thinking it all right, because church members do it and are their partners in it; but they go farther, and go down. The card-playing church member is responsible in their fall. It was his business to have set an example that would uplift; failing to do it, he denied his Master and ruined a soul. Just so with theater-going; just so with novel-reading. Our influence is not something that can be gathered up and buried with us—it goes on and on in the lives of those who have been helped or ruined by what we have done or failed to do. “None of us liveth to himself.”
3. Paul’s example.—Paul’s expressed determination in this thing is the only true and safe position for the Christian to take, and no true Christian will hesitate to take it. It is the principle of personal sacrifice for others’ good, and that principle must rule in the lives of all who are His.
