MAY 25, SEPT. 23. world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. CHAPTER VIII. JAN. 27, MAY 25, SEPT. 23. 3 But Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none 5 The heathens worshipped many other God but one. For gods. though there be that are called earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us 1 It is vain to know the evil of idol sacrifice, unless, in a spirit of Christian charity, we use our knowledge to the edification of others. man think that he knoweth any 3 Love to God and charity towards man win God's favour. 6 gods whether in heaven or in 6 Our Lord is one God-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost *. there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commend 8"As the mere eating or not eating signifieth nothing, let us abstain, * Jesus Christ is indeed the Lord "by whom all things were made, and without whom was not any thing made that was made." (John i. 3.) eth us not to God: for neither, if by so doing we avoid wounding the conscience of a weak brother." if we eat, are we the better; But take heed lest neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock 10 For to them that are weak. 10 Avoid doing that which may lead if any man see thee which others to do wrong, and defend themselves by urging your example. hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. CHAPTER IX. JAN. 28, MAY 26, SEPT. 24. 1 AM I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto 1 St. Paul claims, as an apostle, freedom either to be supported by the Church, or to decline that support, at his own discretion; and vindicates his apostolic authority. others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 'Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and forbear working? 'Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the He will not yield the right to be supported by the Church, in his own case and that of Barnabas. 5 The reference here is chiefly to St. James and St. Peter, who were married. Barnabas, have not we power to 7 He shows the reasonableness of his claims. Ministers give up those secular pursuits, by which other men gain their livelihood. It is fitting therefore that they be recompensed for their spiritual labours. 8 “This view of the subject is ac flock? Say I these things cording to the law of God." as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen ? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our : sakes, no doubt, this is written that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of 12 St. Paul did not use the power this power over you, are not which yet he claims. we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are par 13 In further confirmation of his position, he refers to God's ordinance on the subject, in regulating his Church of old. The conclusion is inevitable. takers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of 15 The apostle yet claims freedom these things: neither have I not to accept his due *. written these things, that it should be so done unto me for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; and to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but that I might gain the more. 20 To satisfy the prejudices of the Jews, he circumcised Timothy; and himself became "as under the law," purifying himself in the temple +. 21 With the heathens, he appealed to reason: meeting all objectors on their own ground. St. Paul's principle of action was worthy of his high character. He chose, for good reasons, not to receive his support from the Corinthian church. Yet, lest any invidious comparison be drawn between himself and other apostles who did accept support from the churches over which they presided, he defends the right with added energy-because he defends the right of others. Thus ever is it with a truly Christian mind. Selfishness finds no place there. + Acts xvi. 3; xxi. 21. For this, his learning admirably adapted him. Witness his memorable address to the men of Athens. (Acts xvii. 28.) under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak; I am 25 22 A ready compliance in all things, where principle was not compromised. gospel's sake, that I might be 24 Weary not of thy toil and patience in the race towards heaven. Remember! there await thee, a kingdom and a crown *. made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? 25 Temperance consists in a meSo run, that ye may obtain. derate use of the world, not in And every man that striv- voluntary abstinence from its blesseth for the mastery is tem- ings-they are the gift of God. perate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 27 St. Paul wisely subjected his own will to the will of God, and regu lated all his affections by the law of God. So do thou! CHAPTER X. JAN. 29, MAY 27, SEPT. 25. MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 2 A type of Christian baptism +. and did all eat the same spiritual 4 The manna which they ate, and the water which they drank from the rock, were types of the holy sacrament of the body and blood of Christ-who is the true bread of heaven, and Himself the well of life. 5 No spiritual privileges avail without holiness. Now these things were our * The race was one of the Grecian games, celebrated at Corinth: they were called Isthmian games, being held upon the isthmus or narrow neck of land-on which Corinth was built. This race supplied the apostle with an apt illustration of the toil and patience required in running a Christian course. † See the first prayer in our truly scriptural Baptismal service. examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as 7 13 7 Idolatry and licentiousness ever go together *. 13 Whatever afflictions tempt you to murmur, pray to God! He will make a way for your escape. they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 By "the ends of the world" is "Now all these things hap- meant, the last dispensation. pened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take Christian profession? 12 Art thou very hopeful in thy Use great heed lest he fall. There vigilance not to fall from thy stedhath no temptation taken fastness. you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18" Then avoid, as Christians"—so is Behold Israel after the counsels St. Paul-"avoid partaking of the sacrifices offered to idols." flesh are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the 22❝Ye cannot serve God and MamLord to jealousy? are we mon-cannot be at the same time 16 22 16 Blessed truth! the body and blood of Christ, in the Lord's Supper, communicate to us, by faith, his spiritual presence, with all its strength and all its joy. * Ex. xxxii. 6. |