Question Corner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 15, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 15.

“Enquire, and make search, and ask diligently.”

NOTE.—We wish those who ask questions to take particular notice: (1) Only such questions will be answered here as we believe to be of general interest and information. (2) We can not undertake to explain from four to a dozen scriptures, as in one sentence we are often requested to do. (3) Do not ask to “explain” a certain text or passage. State clearly the point in question. (4) Give full name and address, not for publication unless desired, but as evidence of good faith, and to give us the privilege of replying by letter if deemed best. (5) Unsigned communications of any kind find the quickest way to the waste-basket. (6) It is always well to inclose stamp. (7) “Foolish and unlearned questions avoid,” also those that minister to mere curiosity. (8) Study the Scriptures yourselves.

No. 527. 1 Cor. 10:23.

KINDLY explain 1 Cor. 10:23. A. E. W.

The words are a repetition, with a little modification, of 1 Cor. 6:12: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (“but all things edify not,” chapter 10:23). That by the “all things” the apostle does not include the obvious transgression of God’s law is evident from the fact that in this very epistle he unsparingly condemns fornication. Chapter 5:1, 11, 13; 6:9. But there were certain things which were indifferent, as meats, or, more properly, foods. “Foods for the belly and the belly for foods,” but both would pass away. Of these indifferent things, all things were lawful; that is, when necessity demanded, there was no law to condemn their use. Meats offered to idols would fall into this category. Chapter 8:7, 8. But even of these indifferent things, all things are not expedient. God has given us liberty to use all, but it is not expedient to do so. (1) It is not good to use them if such use binds us in a habit to their power. “I will not be brought under the power of any,” is what the apostle declared. He who must have his flesh foods, his tea, his coffee, his tobacco, his wine, or any other indulgence, has passed the bounds of Christian freedom and made himself a slave. (2) If by such use others stumble it is not expedient. Here again Christian liberty limits itself for others’ good. “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend [to stumble], I will eat no flesh while the world standeth.” Chapter 8:13. See verses 7, 8. (3) All indifferent things, even tho lawful, are not expedient unless they edify or build up the church. Chapter 10:23. This is the test of true Christian character: “Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up.” Chapter 8:1. (4) But from these indifferent things we have no right to reason that the body may be used as lust will; “for the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.” For that reason we have no liberty to do aught which will defile or destroy the body. Be not deceived. See chapter 3:16–18; 6:9–10. In all these things the apostle’s conclusion is: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.” Chapter 10:31, 32.

No. 528. 1 John 2:1, 2; 1:8–10; 3:6, 9, 10; 5:18.

I can not harmonize 1 John 2:1, 2 with 1 John 1:8–10; 1 John 3:6, 9, 10, and 1 John 5:18. Does the beloved apostle have reference to believers in Christ? A. E. W.

We may not see the harmony, but it is there. The texts are harmonized: it is for us to learn the harmony. Man by nature is sinful, carnal, at enmity with God. This the Lord expressly declares. Rom. 7:14, 18; 8:7. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8. This is true of man before he believes at all; it is true of him after he believes if he trusts in himself alone. But “if we confess our sins,” if we come into harmony with God, accepting his Word, putting away the sins by confession which that Word reveals, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Now if we abide in him, we are not counted sinners; for “in him is no sin.” If we abide in him, walk in constant submission to him, his righteousness is constantly counted for us. We may make mistakes which of themselves apart from him would be sin; they would miss the mark; but in Christ they are not counted for sin. He who is in Christ “doth not practise sin,” as translated by some. It is not his purpose to be sinning; and he who professes to be in him, and yet who deliberately and willingly practises sin, does not know Christ. Chapter 3:6, 9, 10 are parallel with chapter 2:4–6. The purpose, object, and practise of the Christian are faithfully to do God’s will, not to transgress it. This is God’s object in calling him; but if he should be overcome, we have an Advocate with the Father, who is the propitiation of our sins. He whose life is in harmony with God is not counted by God as a sinner.

No. 529. Deut. 14:8, 21, 26.

PLEASE explain verses 8, 21, and 26 of chapter 14 of Deuteronomy. To whom did they apply? and their application to us now. J. O. P.

(1) These scriptures are a part of the law God gave his people. (2) The eighth verse refers to the swine, an animal unclean and unwholesome in its very nature, at all times and in all ages. While that law is not technically binding, while it would be better to eat pork than starve, trusting God to bless it to our necessities, the fact is as true now as ever that the swine is unclean and unfit for food. Compare with Isa. 65:4; 66:17. (3) Verse 21 prohibited to Israel the use of the flesh of those beasts which died of themselves, a prohibition honored in the breach by nations around them, even as among many to-day. Such meat might be sold to such people, for they knew what it was, and considered it good for them. The same general principles apply in this as in the case of prohibited meat. (4) Verse 26 pertained to their great yearly gatherings. The “whatsoever thy soul lusteth after” is necessarily limited by the specific prohibitions of Leviticus 11 and Deut. 14:3–21. (5) As to their application to us study them in the light of God’s love to his children, and such scriptures as 1 Cor. 10:31, and other instruction which God has given.

No. 530. Luke 16:9.

WHAT is the “mammon of unrighteousness”? and who are the “they” that “may receive you into everlasting habitations”? A. B.

“Mammon of unrighteousness” is the money and property of this world, the “riches” of this unrighteous world. The Revised Version reads, “Make to yourselves friends by means of the mammon of unrighteousness.” The lesson is that we should so use the riches of this world that we shall have our hope upon something better. The “they” who receive us into everlasting habitations are the angels of God. See Matt. 13:39; 24:31.