What is meant or included by the expression "all things" in 1 Cor. 6:12 and 10:23? A. S.
From the context and other of the apostle's writings we can only conclude that he meant that it was proper for him to use all things that were proper for any Christian man to use. The matter under discussion, especially in the tenth chapter, was whether meats offered to idols were unclean. He shows us there that to some whose consciences are weak these are unclean. To him who knows in his own heart that the idol is nothing, those meats were no more unclean than tho they had not been offered to idols. But we should be careful not to wound the weaker brother lest he stumble; therefore the apostle declares that all things were lawful for him, just as proper for him to eat meats offered to idols as to eat meats not so offered. But it was not expedient that he should do this, on account of the fact that some might stumble. So in the conduct of the Christian in every-day life. There are many things which it might be perfectly proper for him to do, but which, misunderstood by some of his weaker brothers, might cause them to stumble. Certainly in no just way can the text be used to excuse infraction of God's law, express commands, as given elsewhere in His word. It certainly can not be used to justify wrong-doing.