indignation in behalf of the strong, who certainly need no ad- vocate. They did not require to be told that their liberty was not to be restricted by the scruples of the weak. 2. A much better sense is obtained by connecting this passage with the 28th verse. ' Do not eat out of regard to the conscience of your brother ; for why should my (your) hberty be judged (i. e. condemned) by another conscience ; why should I be blamed for what I receive with thanksgiving ? ' That is, why should I make such a use of my liberty as to give offence ? This brings the passage into harmony with the whole context, and connects it with the main idea of the preceding verse, and not with an intermediate and subordinate clause. The very thing the apostle has in view is to induce the strong to respect the scruples of the weak. They might eat of sacrifi- cial meat at private tables with freedom, so far as they them- selves were concerned ; but why, he asks, should they do it so as to give offence, and cause the weak to condemn and speak evil of them. 3. This passage is by some commentators re- garded as the language of an objector, and not as that of the apostle. The strong, when told not to eat on account of the conscience of a weak brother, might ask, ' Why is my liberty judged by another's conscience — why should I be blamed for what I receive with thanksgiving ? ' (The yap, according to this view, is not /or, but intensive, IvaTt yap, whi/ then.) This gives a very good sense, but it is not consistent with the fol- lowing verse (which is connected with v. 30 by ow, and not by 8c). Paul does not go on to answer that objection, but considers the whole matter settled. The second interpreta- tion is the only one consistent alike with what precedes and with what follows. ' Do not eat when cautioned not to do so ; for why should you so use your liberty as to incur censure ? Whether therefore you eat or drink, do all for the glory of God.' Why is my liberty judged (KptVcrat), i. e. judged unfa- vourably or condemned. If Ihy grace am a partaker j liter- ally, if I partake with thanksgiving. The word x«f>^5, grace^ is here used in the sense of gratia^ thanks, as in the conmion phrase to say grace. See Luke 6, 32. 1 Tim. 1, 12, &q.
31. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatso- ever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
This may mean either, ' Do all things with a view to the glory of God.' Let that be the object constantly aimed at ;