The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 267

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHOTIS. Vers. 1-13.-Strength and weakness; lcnowled.r,e and love. The discussions contained in this chapter relate to" things offered unto idols.'' Bear in mind that idolatry was not then simply a religious ~ystem, but a system immensely extended and covering -a corresponding surface of political, social, and business interests. At all points it touched individuals and families, and was connected with feasts, entertainments, and etiquette. "Most public entertainments and many private meals were more or less Temotely the accompaniments of sacrifice" (Stanley). How far might knowledge assert itself and put on independency? What was the true use of expediency? Ancl what the offices of conscience? And to what extent must the strong be tender and considerate towards the weak? Two parties existed on this subject in Corinth: the one that rested on Christian liberty, and, believing that "an idol is nothing in the world," demonstrated its adhesion to this belief by buying and eating meats sacrificed t-0 idol~, and even went to the excess of attending the feasts" in the idol's temple;" the other party looked upon such conduct with abhorrence. If, now, Christianity had been a mere scheme of human thou)!ht, an elaborate philosophy, a poetic inspira- tion, it is obvious that no such earnest dispute could have arisen. If, again, St. Paul had contemplated the subject on the ground only of abstract and the-:,retical principles, following out the logic that "an idol is nothing," and claiming the full freedom -guaranteed by the assumption, a very different chapter from this would have been written. But see how he approaches the matter. His first step is to check the liberalists, and he docs it efficaciously, for he convicts them of pride and recklessness <Jn the side of intellect. Intellect he docs not condemn, but its wrong use. His condemnation is founded on the fact that the intellect arrogantly claims to be the mi □ d, to be the equivalent of the man himse)F, and, consequently, shuts off the Tecognition of anything except knowledge. St. Paul's po5ition at tho outset is, "Enowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." It is vigorously stated and is accompanied by evident impulse. The" knowledge" referred to is knowledge isolated from its rightful and essential associations, the knowledge of a truth, and yet without its checks and balances-an engine lacking safety-valve and governor. No matter how valuable the knowledge may be in itself; call it insight, call it what you please; if it abuse itself in its use, it loses its worth. Selfishness vitiates its excellence, and makes it doubly harmful, pernicious to the possessor, and obstructive of benefit to him on whom it acts object:vely. Men arc prone to exaggerate knowledge as knowlcdg:. 'l'hey say, "Knowledge is power." So it is, but whether the power be for good or evil depends on the man behind the knowledge. 'l'hink of tl,e intimate connection between the intellect and the body, :md how much more it is affected thereby than other on. VIlL 1-13.J 'l'HE FIRS'!' EPISTLE TO THE CORIN'l'HIANS. 2C9-