The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 281

might unconsciously cat of meat, either a.t the house of a. friend or by purchasing it himself in the public shambles, which ha.d been previously brought in contact by sacrificial use with an idol." Exactly how to trea.t such a matter it wa.s not easy to say. Some had no compunctions in partaking of such food. Others had very trouble- some scruples; and only too readily contentions might arise over such a. sornll and insignificant question. Some would say strongly," We know that an idol is !.!stl,i1,g, and so he cannot defile the meat." Such persons would be likely to laugii. to scorn the feebleness and superstitions (as they would call them) of the weaker brethren. Their knowledge would "puff them up," and make them positive and inconsiderate; whereas the " charity " l':hich "endnreth all things, and thinketh no evil," would make them gentle and ,ar.sidcrate, ready to put their own ideas aside if pressing them unduly seemed to offend the weaker brethren. This is the point to which ◊\!! attention is -directed. I. KxowLEDGE TEXDS TO PUFF UP. This is a fact, attested by the experienc_e of all ages, and well within our own observation at the present time. There is often a positi,·eness, a dogmatism, and a contempt of others about persons who have a little knowlc<lge, which may properly call for an apostle's reproof. W~ must, however, remember that fulness of knowledge is almost always attended with humility, con- siderateness, and cheerful readiness to serve. It is a little knowledge that has the injurious influence. A man may pride himself on the limited pond in his own grounds, but he must feel humbled when be stands before the boundless ocean, and knows that powers are too small and life too short for him to exhaust the infinite stores. But the point which St. Paul helps us to impress is that knowledge puffs up because it keeps a man thinking about himself. It is always what I have read, what I know; and the egotistic sphere is the most dangerous for any of us to dwell in. "Look not every man on bis own things, but every mau also on the things of others." II. LovE TENDS TO BUILD UP. This may be applied both to the man and to the Church. Seli-seeking and self-worship so engross a man's attentions that the interest of others cannot be served, little things are easily magnified into difficulties, and dissension and dispute are fostered. But "love," "charity," cares more for others than for self; concerns itself about the general well-being; asks about everything-what influence it will have for good or for evil; and puts strong restraints upon personal feelings and preferences, if pressing them against the opinions of others would cause contention. Love is set upon "edifying," upon "culturing," upon "up-builu.ing," upon preserving that "peace" in which alone souls can thrive and grow. So St. Paul earnestly urges that loue ought to rule and decide in all our Church relations and practical diflicu1L1es.-R. ~'- Ver. 3.-E11owing God, and being known of God. The construction of this sentence jg peculiar. We expect the apostle to say that the man who loves God is alone the man who can be f&id to know God. There is, however, in his words the under-thought -of the identity between knowing God and being known of him. Olshausen says, "'l'hc knowiedge of God presupposes the being known of him: the soul will not vivify wii,n life from above until God has drawn nigh." It may be noticed that St. Paul, in "deal:ncr with inqwsitive and argumentative people like the Corinthians and Galatians, takes ca~e to invert the phrase, so as to exciude all glorifying on the part of man." 'J'be statements of the Apostle John, in 1 Epist. iv. 7, 8, should he compared with this. Fixing attention on the two terms, "knowing God;" "being known. of God," observe- !. How THESE ADE RELATED. Are they two parallel things, or does the one follow after and result from the other? If we take this latter view, which of the two comes first? Show that the lcnowledge of God is an impossibility for unaided man. This impossibility is shown (1) from the facts of man's depmvcd and distorted nature; (2) from the statements of Holy Scripture, "No man, by searching, can find out God," etc.; and (3) from the actual experiences of men, as individuals or ns nations. Four tho~sand years of experiment lefc God still virtually the "unknown God." God must graciously come near to us, re,€al himself to us, manifestly concern himself for us, and show that he knows us, or we can never get to apprehend him. And this he has done in Uie manffes~a,ion of his Son. And this he does still in a gracious inrlividual rc~pouse to oH. vm. 1-13.J 'rI:lE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 283