Too Big to Take Offense, Too Noble to Give It
I Corinthians 10:23–24, 32–33, 11:1
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others… Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Bible commentator Ellicott writes, naturally, St. Paul “repeats here the great principle of Christian liberty, "All things are lawful for me" (see I Cor 6:12), but insists, as before, that its application must be limited by a regard (1) to the effect which each action has upon ourselves, and (2) its influence on the Church at large. "Does this act tend to my own spiritual profit? Does it tend to build up others?" should be the practical rules of Christian life. Philosophically and politically, this is a distinctive characteristic of a biblical idea of a society—that we are all equal under the eyes of a transcendent God, no just about any other human opinion, and what stems directly from that imago Dei (Gen 1:26) are the binding political values we hold dearly in these past few decades, “freedom, a collective life in solidarity, the autonomous conduct of life and emancipation, the individual morality of conscience, human rights and democracy (Habermas). A major part of this is “seeking the good of others (v. 24)”, beyond self-interest. Magnanimity is a Christian ethic, the grace that has been demonstrated by God in Christ, we are called to share with others (Eph 4:32), as US president Lincoln, a serious follower of Christ no less, said, we should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it. I am reminded of the fruit of the Spirit, may this melt our quarrelsome nature and dissuade us from petty fights in our hearts and in deeds, and may we exemplify these in our lives in whatever we do: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:22–25).”
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others… Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Bible commentator Ellicott writes, naturally, St. Paul “repeats here the great principle of Christian liberty, "All things are lawful for me" (see I Cor 6:12), but insists, as before, that its application must be limited by a regard (1) to the effect which each action has upon ourselves, and (2) its influence on the Church at large. "Does this act tend to my own spiritual profit? Does it tend to build up others?" should be the practical rules of Christian life. Philosophically and politically, this is a distinctive characteristic of a biblical idea of a society—that we are all equal under the eyes of a transcendent God, no just about any other human opinion, and what stems directly from that imago Dei (Gen 1:26) are the binding political values we hold dearly in these past few decades, “freedom, a collective life in solidarity, the autonomous conduct of life and emancipation, the individual morality of conscience, human rights and democracy (Habermas). A major part of this is “seeking the good of others (v. 24)”, beyond self-interest. Magnanimity is a Christian ethic, the grace that has been demonstrated by God in Christ, we are called to share with others (Eph 4:32), as US president Lincoln, a serious follower of Christ no less, said, we should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it. I am reminded of the fruit of the Spirit, may this melt our quarrelsome nature and dissuade us from petty fights in our hearts and in deeds, and may we exemplify these in our lives in whatever we do: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:22–25).”
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