International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 16, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 49.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON V.—SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1893.

ABSTINENCE FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, 1 Cor. 8:1-13.

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
But if any man loveth God, the same is known of him.
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.
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;
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.
Howbeit in all men there is not 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.
But meat will not commend us to God; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to the weak.
For if a man see thee which 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?
For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.
Wherefore, if meat maketh my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh forever more, that I make not my brother to stumble.

Golden Text: "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." Rom. 15:1.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Of what had the Corinthian church knowledge? Verse 1.
What does knowledge do?
Of what benefit is love?
What is said of him who thinks he knows anything? Verse 2.
Who is known of God? Verse 3.
What is said of the gods of the world? Verses 4, 5.
Who is the one only God of the believer? Verses 4, 5.
Of how much are the Father and Son the source? Verse 6.
Is the knowledge of this truth universal? Verse 7.
How did some partake of the sacrifices to idols?
What is the effect of thus doing?
How does meat (food) affect our relation to God? Verse 8.
To what should we take heed? Verse 9.
What influence might our liberty have on others? Verse 10.
What disastrous results might ensue? Verse 11.
In thus wounding our brother's conscience what do we do against him? Verse 12.
How does it affect our relation toward Christ?
What would be a safe standard to adopt? Verse 13. See note.

NOTE.

Meats Offered to Idols.—Among the heathen it was customary to take portions of the sacrifices which had been laid on the altar of some idol and eat them at feasts. Sometimes these were sold in the market. Devotees of the idol thought that peculiar sanctity attached to these things, hence they partook of them not only in reverence to their god, but expecting to receive themselves a special blessing. The Christians, in their intercourse with their heathen neighbors, were constantly brought into positions requiring wisdom and discretion. The offering of anything to the idol did not affect its value as food. It might be partaken of as ordinary food, without any relation whatever to its having previously been offered to an idol, and there would be no sin in the act, considered of itself alone. The sin would be in the influence growing out of that act. A weak brother might deem that the one thus eating was partaking, as did the heathen, in honor of the idol. And from this example the weak brother might take license to do other things in and of themselves sinful. The principle is broad in its application. There are many things which we today might do, and perhaps of themselves those things would not be sin; but others might misinterpret our motives, or take liberty from our course to do that which would be positively heinous. We are our brother's keeper, "For none of us liveth unto himself, and no man dieth to himself." Rom. 14:7. Every act of our lives should be done with respect to its influence upon others. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.