ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 8 v9 - 13

OVERVIEW:

If we exercise our freedom at the wrong time (CHRYSOSTOM) or in the wrong way, the weak brother or sister may be undermined (THEODORET OF CYR, CHRYSOSTOM). It is the believer’s responsibility not to trip up weaker persons (CHRYSOSTOM) who might think that there is some spiritual power in food offered to idols, a power they might acquire if they eat (AMBROSIASTER). Offer nothing to idols (TERTULLIAN). Do not do anything that causes another Christian to stumble (AMBROSIASTER, BASIL, CHRYSOSTOM). Christ died for the weak. The strong must protect the weak (AUGUSTINE).

8:9 | Not a Stumbling Block

DO NOT TRIP UP THE WEAK. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul is saying that if we are not prepared to correct our weaker brethren, then at least we should not trip them up. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 20.10.

8:10 | In an Idol’s Temple

GIVE NOTHING TO AN IDOL. TERTULLIAN: Give nothing and take nothing from an idol! If it be against the faith to recline at table in the temple of an idol, what would you call it if one wore the garb of an idol? THE CHAPLET 10.

AT TABLE IN AN IDOL’S TEMPLE. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is afraid that the weaker brother may be tempted to eat meat sacrificed to idols, not because he also possesses the knowledge that there is no such thing as an idol but because he might think that there is some spiritual power in such food, which he will acquire if he eats it. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

ILL-TIMED BEHAVIOR. CHRYSOSTOM: It is not only his weakness but also your ill-timed behavior which plots against him and makes him weaker. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 20.10.

HARMFUL ASSOCIATIONS. CHRYSOSTOM: Let us expand this thought so as to say: “If someone sees you who have knowledge of piety passing the whole day in those senseless and harmful associations, will not the conscience of the weak man be emboldened to pursue such actions more earnestly?” That blessed apostle said this to keep in check those who were heedless, even after having knowledge of piety, who were exposing themselves to places of idolatry and causing scandal to the rest. BAPTISMAL INSTRUCTIONS 6.16.

SLAVES OF FOOD. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: There are two sorts of food, one ministering to salvation, and the other which is fitting to those who perish. … We ought not to misuse the gifts of the Father, then, acting the part of spendthrifts like the rich son in the Gospel. Let us, rather, make use of them with detachment, keeping them under control. Surely we have been commanded to be the master and lord, not the slave, of food. CHRIST THE EDUCATOR 2.9.

8:11 | Destroying One for Whom Christ Died

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WEAK. CHRYSOSTOM: There are two things which deprive you of any excuse in this mischief. The first is that he is weak, the second is that he is your brother. I should add a third excuse also, one which is even worse than the others. What is this? That whereas Christ died for him, you cannot even lift a finger to help him in the slightest. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 20.10.

CONSIDER WHO DIED FOR HIM. AUGUSTINE: If you love the weak person less because of the moral failing that makes him weak, consider the One who died on his behalf. QUESTIONS 71.

THE WEAK PERSON IS DESTROYED. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul magnifies the accusation in order to prevent people from committing the crime. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 217.

8:12 | Sinning Against Christ

THE WOUNDING OF CONSCIENCE. BASIL: Consequently, either when something is done which is intrinsically evil and scandal results, or if the performance of a licit act and one within our sphere of competence causes scandal to one who is weak in faith or knowledge, then the penalty is clear and unescapable. … “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck.” CONCERNING BAPTISM 10.

DESTROYING CHRIST’S WORK. CHRYSOSTOM: Those who wound a weak conscience sin against Christ. He considers the concerns of his servants to be his own. Those who are wounded make up his own body. These people are destroying the work which Christ built up by his own blood. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 20.10.

LOVING CHRIST IN THE MEETING WITH THE OTHER. AUGUSTINE: It is the very law of Christ that we bear one another’s burdens. Moreover, by loving Christ we easily bear the weakness of another, even him whom we do not yet love for the sake of his own good qualities, for we realize that the one whom we love is someone for whom the Lord has died. QUESTIONS 71.

8:13 | Not Causing Others to Fall

ANALOGY WITH ADULTERY. AMBROSIASTER: It is all right to have a wife, but if she commits adultery she is to be rejected. Likewise, it is all right to eat meat, but if it has been sacrificed to idols it is to be refused. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

DO NOT CAUSE A BROTHER TO FALL. CHRYSOSTOM: This is like the best of teachers, to apply to himself the things he is speaking about. Paul is not concerned about the rights and wrongs of the issue in any objective sense. His only concern is that his brother should not stumble. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 20.11.

THE STRONG AND THE WEAK. AUGUSTINE: Those who are stronger and are not troubled by scruples are nevertheless commanded to abstain so as not to offend those who, on account of their weakness, still find abstinence necessary. THE WAY OF LIFE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 71.

PAUL’S SELF-DEFENSE 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-6

OVERVIEW: If any want to examine Paul’s apostleship (THEODORET OF CYR), let them look at the Corinthians as a sufficient witness to his workmanship in the Lord (CHRYSOSTOM). Paul’s authorization as apostle withstood close questioning (AMBROSIASTER). The whole world had him as its apostle (CHRYSOSTOM). His special role in the church is based on his calling as an apostle (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, AMBROSIASTER). Faithful women possessing worldly goods ministered significantly to the apostles in the necessities of life (AUGUSTINE).