1 Corinthians 10:33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Paul recommended to the Corinthians that course of conduct which he followed himself. As a religious teacher, he practised what he taught. And the lessons of his lips and of his pen were enforced with a tenfold power by the actions of his life. In nothing was this more observable and undeniable than in his devotion to the welfare of others, and his habit of adapting himself to all men, in order that he might win some for Christ. I. THE CONDUCT ABJURED. Paul sought not his own profit; and he dissuades Christians generally from doing so. By this we are to understand that our own profit is not to be the one ruling principle of our life. Certainly it is not wrong to seek our own spiritual welfare and eternal salvation; for this we are responsible, to this we are called. But having found Christ ourselves, we are not to make our personal advantage our one and only concern. They who seek such an end always fail; none are more stunted in spiritual growth than those whose only thought is how they may obtain abundant nourishment for themselves. Christians must be prepared to sacrifice religious advantages and enjoyments, when such a sacrifice is demanded in the interests of their fellow men. II. THE RULE ADOPTED. Paul's rule, which he commends to us, was to "please all men." This might easily be misunderstood, for nothing is baser than a habit of pandering to the passions and courting the favour and humouring the prejudices of all we meet with. But there is a pliancy and adaptation of character and demeanour, which flows from and expresses sympathy, and which is a sure road to most men's hearts. It is no degradation to condescend to the simple and illiterate, to enter into the thoughts and pursuits of the scholarly, to talk the languages of the foreigner, to share the ways and the life of any man, in innocence and without duplicity. It was by this habit, carried to excess, that the Jesuits gained their hold upon individual natures and upon general society. And it is by this habit, rather than by great powers of thought or of speech, that successful servants of Christ usually achieve their success. III. THE AIM SOUGHT. 1. It respects "the many." This is just like the large heart of Paul, who in this was a true follower of Christ himself. The Lord's purpose is to draw "all men" unto himself; his prediction, that "many" shall come and sit down in his kingdom; and his commission: "Preach the gospel to every creature." He gave his life a ransom "for many;" his blood was shed for "many;" he bare the sins of "many." 2. It is their immediate "profit" or advantage. What he concerned himself not about, as far as he himself was concerned, he anxiously sought for others. 3. The final aim is the salvation of mankind; a purpose and hope which may well justify, and indeed all but compel, self denial and effort; for salvation includes all blessings of which human nature is capable, and the prolongation, the perpetuation, of those blessings throughout a glorious eternity. - T. Parallel Verses KJV: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. |
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