A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

James Hastings • SECTION 671

Section 671

← A Dictionary of the Bible — Volume 1

moral tone, of the community C-*). y. The injustice, or unrighteousness, thus shown to exiflt among them is part of a heathen past (*^il, trans- itional, working the argument back to B). D. Fornication. •. li'ot a legitimate use of the body (12. 13*), but fi. A denial of the true destiny of the body (iSb-20). (1) This destiny described (i2b:u), 12) Fornication desecrates the limbs of Christ (15-17).

(3) Fornication, beyond any other sin, assails (the

eternal destiny of) the body (18. 19) in which we are to glorify God (^0).

III. Reply to the Corinthian Lbttrr : Makriaqb and rrs

Problems (7).

A. Preamble (i-7). While the single state Is preferable,

marriage is meant for some, and its obligations are to be maiiitaineti.

B. Advice to Difi'ERBNT Classbs. m. The unman-ied (^•^).

^. Those u'ho ' have inarried ' (as Christians) G"- ")• y. The rest {i.e. those who have been converted as married persons) (}'-'^). (1) General principle ; existing relations to be loyally maintained (i2. 13^ cf. 17.5».24) [a reason for this, as regards family life, v.l*]. 4S) This general principle not to enslave a Christian to union with a reluctant heathen partner (i^" ^^) '* but (8) The general principle to be observed where possible

(17).

U) This principle is the same as is to govern all relations of life. (a) Circumcision or uncircumcision (l*^). (fc) Slavery 0" 23 ; this does not forbid an opportunity of emancipation being accepted, ^^). I Virgins (25^).

(1) St. Paul's opinion tentative, but he decidedly advises

celibacy (25- Si).

(2) Reasons for this :

(o) The general principle (y. 1) makes this way (S'-SS),

especially (Jl>} In view of the precariousness of all earthly

relations, given the 'shortness of the time'

(■jat> 35) ; the unmarried are freer to serve the

Lord undividedly. (8) This applied to the duty of the parent of a virgin

(36^38).

(4) The same principle applies to widows (39- *0).

IV. Food OFFERED TO Idols (8-111).

A. General Principlks : to act on mere knowledge not

right (8). m. Knotvtedae does not guarantee truth of instinct (i-*). fi. The truth about idols (*-6). y. This truth not equally grasped by all (^-^^y.

(1) Some, influenced by association of ideas, cannot eat

without sin C).

(2) No one sins by abstaining (S).

(3) The enliirhtened may by eating injure the weak (^-i*).

B. Tbe orxat Principle that of Forbearanob in view of the

higher expediency (9). a. The Apostolic position (l"^). ^^^ rights (<-l2») to main- tenance, of St. Paul (13- 1* a supplementary corrobora- tion). fi. His forbearance to exercise these rights (i^b. 15-18). y. His motive in this : (I923ii) to save othere. (23b-27) to save himself.

C. The above Principlrs ai'Plird(IOI-II').

«. The example of the Israeli/es warns us of the danger, even to ourselves, of presuming on privilege (lOi i'-^).

fi. The danger of idolatry, for all their enllghtenmenb, a

real one to the Corinthians (13 s^). (1) There is no necessity to 3'ield (13). (E) The partaking of a sacrificial feast (cf. 81") ia an act of idolatry, as is evident (}*• i^) from ihe parallels of (a) The Christian Eucharist, a partaking of the blood-

ehedding of Christ (iti- 17). (6) The Jewisii sacrifices, to eat of which is to partake of the altar (IS). (8) Result ; to eat ceremonially of ilimkidvrm totally forbidden 0^'^). y. Practical rules for other cases.

(1) Preliminary repetition of the principle of the hlghei

expediency (23-24).

(2) Where the history of the food is not forced on youi

attention, it may be freely eaten (^- '-*).

(8) Where tbe history of the food is forced on your attention, better abstain for the sake of others (27 '2iia)^ and to avoid exposing yourselves to mis- construction (29b. 30. 32).

<4) Epilogue (-ii-lli). The glory of God and the higher expediency to be your guides, as thej' are mine.

V. Matters relating to Public Worship (U^-U).

112. O'encral commendatory jyreamble to this section,

A, The Veiling op Women (U^iS).

«. Principle oj organic subordination (3V

jS. The covering or uncovering the heaa <k recognition of

this prinmple (■*!''). y. Women not lowered by this (ii- 13).

if rom nature (i*-*")' from the custom of the Churches (16).

B, Disorders connected with the Eicuarist (1117-34).

•. The assemblies of the Church marked by dissensions

(1719).

fi. They substitute their own feast for the Lord'e (M-«X

y. Unseemliness of the above (^^ (1) In the spirit displaved (22).

fthe history 0^25), and of /o\ T ^ tJ the significance C^- 27) of the eucharistic W "» ▼!«» oi-j ^(,^ (which are the central feature of

\_ the xvpiaxi>i 2fiT*ovX

(I) Precautions for worthy, and dangers of unworthy,

reception (2y-32). (4) Conclusion : the feast not to be used to satisfy

hunger ; other directions postponed till the

apostle's arrival (33. 34),

C, The Spiritual Gifts (13-14).

•. General principles : The purpose of these gifts forbids their use as ends-in-themselves (12).

(1) A caution necessitated by the reader's heathen ante*

cedents : the nature of the utterance the criterion of its divine origin (i^).

(2) Diversity of these gifts, but all from one source, and

for one aim — the hi;,'her expediency (^H).

(3) The organic unity of the body of Christ (i*27)

/to envy tliose who have gifts which / \ 1? Ki^ J we lack (i^ 20). W i-orDias ua-i ^ despise those who lack giSta which

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