1 Corinthians 10:23-33 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.… People born and educated in a Christian country, and surrounded with the public opinion and social habits attendant upon Christian civilisation, can have no idea of the difficulties of a converted heathen. Cases of conscience would perplex such a man which to us would seem childish. In the present and preceding chapters the apostle is dealing with such cases, and sums up the whole matter in the text. The question, in things indifferent, was not merely Are they lawful? but Are they expedient? They may be lawful in the abstract, but this lawfulness must always be used, subject to the consideration that advance in righteousness must not be hindered whether in ourselves or others. "All things" of course must be limited to the special cases referred to. The apostle gives here no countenance to Antinomianism. Only indifferent things are intended. Note — I. THAT WHAT IS LAWFUL FOR A CHRISTIAN MAY NOT ALWAYS BE EXPEDIENT. Consider what a Christian man is, and how holy a trust he has committed to him. He is a child of God and has to walk worthy of his vocation. Such a position brings with it not merely an obligation to do what is right, but to do what is becoming. E.g., to a Christian prince and a Christian peasant there are the same motives of action and the same rule of character; yet what would be becoming for the one, would be unbecoming for the other. This principle obtains in social life. The world holds truly that there are many things which are not unseemly in an ordinary man which are unseemly in a magistrate or in a minister. And it is just this distinction which a child of God is to regard. Now to what a variety of things may this principle be applied! To dress, style of social life, recreations, conversation, etc. Does this conduct consist with charity? Does it throw a hindrance in the way of a weak brother? The expenditure I make is lawful. Granted; but is it expedient? Might not my time and money be better employed? Am I seeking in selfishness my own needless indulgence in preference to the important good of my neighbours? II. THAT TO A CHRISTIAN, WHATEVER IS APPARENTLY EXPEDIENT, MUST AT THE SAME TIME BE CLEARLY LAWFUL. In the world the right is too often sacrificed to the expedient. E.g., "My business would be gone," says the worldlywise trader, "if I acted upon those rigid rules of right which you put up." "These commercial frauds," says the man on Change, "are general customs, they are understood things, and I only practise upon others according to my experience from others." But to do evil that good may come is to do Satan's work. Remember, our standard of conscience and conduct is not that of the world — it is that of Christ. "He that abideth in Him must walk even as He walked." Now I know of no other method of safety but that which lies in the command, "Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." (C. J. P. Eyre, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. |
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