proved by, men : he is even approved by those, whom he has no desire to please.
19. 'Eiprivng, oixodo/xrig, of peace, of edification) These two things are very closely connected. Theology is in itself a peace-maker and is designed for edification. Controversy is not so directly useful for edification , although it should sometimes be added. — Comp. Nehem. iv. 17.
20. xaraXus, do not destroy) The effects of even one sin may be distressing and important moreover, ver. 15. — sVexe v (3pu/£uros, on account of meat) a very small matter. — ro zpyov rov ©sou, the work of God) a very great matter : the work , which God accomplishes within in the soul, by edification , and in the church by harmony \_Faith is principally intended , John vi. 29. — v. g.] — xaxov, evil) the word to eat [is evil], is to be supplied from what follows : He does not say xaxa, evils. — did rrpoexbfjj- purog, with offence) so that another may be offended by his eating.
21. iv u>) neither , viz. to eat, drink, do anything, in which , etc. — ^otfxoVrs/) stumbleth , and is wounded, induced rashly to imitate thee, with the loss of righteousness. As there is a difference between righteousness and joy , so there is a differ- ence between the loss of each. — exavdaXl^zrai, is offended) is en- snared and impeded, feeling a repugnance to thy action ‘[in eating, and yet doing it in imitation of thee], accompanied with the loss of peace. — utdsvef) is made weak , or at least remains so, 1 Cor. viii. 9, 10 ; defective in mental strength, and hesitat- ing between imitation and horror, with the loss of joy : comp, ver. 17. bn LXX., dskveTv.
22. n! (St iv, faith) concerning the cleanness of meat [all meats alike]. — esaurbv, — ©sou, thyself — of God) a double antithesis, in relation to our neighbour; as in ch. xv. 3. — 4%s, have) The foundation of real prudence and judicious concealment [of our views on non-essentials, for the sake of our neighbour]. — paxdpiog, happy) These words down to the end of the chapter, contain the antithesis to ch. xv. 1, hut. — xpivojv, judging [ condemning ) \Condemning\ judging and approving are the words in anti- thesis : by combining the two, the doubting conscience is ex- quisitely described, when a man approves a thing, and yet [condemns] judges his own action.