Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
Hold fast, he tells them, and not forget the Word of God you have learned. The Apostle Paul commended the church in Corinth for keeping the teachings that he has imparted to them. They were careful to follow his instructions, and he is pleased with their adherence to God’s will which he has painstakingly taken time to teach them.
Why did he have that boldness to set himself as an example? Because he has been one under authority. After he was saved, it was Ananias whom God used to bring him into the fellowship of the church, gave him his sight and baptised him. It was Barnabas who brought him to Antioch where he was sent for the mission work beyond Antioch. He has always subjected himself to the order and discipline of the church of Jesus Christ. His actions were for the welfare and good of the believers in Corinth, not for personal gains. This is his confidence before God and men. Amen.
The Apostle Paul’s life was given over to serve his Lord and that is translated to doing good for fellow men. He gave his life to the service of God’s people. He shared concerning the dedication that God placed in his heart in Philippians 2:17 (KJV) 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
The word “offence” comes from the root verb “to strike at, to trip”. Here, a negative is expressed – Give none offence. Counsel to inculcate such a habit or way of life that does not stumble others, but look to bless others, seek their well-being and welfare is the thrust of this thought. This offence is measured by a God-given cultivated and heightened conscience, that is built strongly upon the foundation of Scripture.
The actions of the Christian, whatever it may be, is to be done to bring honour to God’s Name. This is the guiding principle for God blessed Christian life. And all that brings honour to our God must concur with His revealed Word. The Christian, therefore, is to be a diligent student of His Word to seek to know God’s will and to do it.
William MacDonald paraphrased well, “Why should I selfishly display my freedom to eat the meat and in so doing be condemned by the other man’s conscience? Why should I expose my freedom to the condemnation of his conscience? Why should I let my good be evil spoken of?…Is a piece of meat so important that I should cause such an offence to a fellow believer in the Lord Jesus Christ?” Indeed, let not then your good be evil spoken of. Romans 14:16 (KJV)
The Apostle Paul instructs the believer who attends a dinner at the invitation of unbelievers to eat the food that is set before him without hesitation after giving thanks for the food. However, if the host explicitly tells the believer that the food set before them has been offered to idols. In such a situation, it will not be a good testimony to the unbelieving host if the believer would take the food offered to the idols. It would tantamount to participating in the worship of the idols to which the food was offered.
The Apostle Paul instructed the believers buy the meat from the market without any rebuke on their conscience to surmise if the meat has previously been offered to idols. The word “shambles” means “a meat market” or “food market”. There should not be any question to any unfaithfulness on their part when they buy the meat and partake it after cooking them.
The man of God seeks not his own benefit but the welfare of his neighbour. He seeks not to enrich himself but that of others. His life is poured out for the good that may be imparted to others.This was Jesus’ life. The love of Christ is manifested in servanthood. May God give us a servant’s heart.
The Apostle Paul tells us that there are some things a Christian does that is not morally wrong, but may not be profitable in the sense that it does not build up others’ faith. In this verse, he urges the Christian to consider the impact of his action on the spiritual life of others around him. If it does not build others in the faith but potentially may be a stumbling to them, he says it is “not expedient” or “not profitable” to engage in it.