I Corinthians - Ferrar Fenton Bible Translation page 1192

I. CORINTHIANS.

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26 28 let it fret you. But if you are vable to become a. freeman, than prefer it. For the slave having been called to the Lord, is the L0rd’s freedmau; and in the same way, the freeman is a slave of Christ. You were dearly bought; do not become slaves of men. Let each continue in the con- dition, brothers, in which he was called towards God. But about the young girls,I have

not a decision from the Lord; but} give an opinion as I was granted to be trusted under the Lord. I think, therefore, that to encounter more easily the present distress, it is good for a man to act in this way: If you are married to a wife, do not attempt to be free; if free from a wife, do not seek a wife. But if you should marry, you do no wrong; and if a girl marries, she does no wrong—~—but they will have bodily privations. Therefore I spare you. 2g However, I say this, brothers: The time remaining is short, until both they having wives may be as having

30 none; and the weepers as not weep- ing; and the gay as not rejoicing;

31 and the buyers as not possessing ;· and those using this world as not consum· ing it, for the arrangement of this

32 world passes away: and I want you to be without anxiety. The unmarried man should look after the affairs of the Lord-·-how he may please the Lord;

33 but the married should look after the affairs of the world-·—how he may

34 please his wife. There is a condition 35 both for the wife and for the maiden. The unmarried woman should attend to the wishes of the Lord, so that she may be pure both in body and spirit; but the married should attend to the business of the world, how she may be pleasing to her husband. And I say this for your own application; not- that I lay a trap for you, but rather to assist you to be decent, and devoted to the Lord without distraction. But if any one decides that it is not

suitable for his daughter, if she should be passing the bloom of life, and is under engagement to do thus, let him do what he desires, it is not wrong; they may be married. But whoever stands steadfast in his heart, he is not obliged, since he possesses control over his individual will; and if he decides thus in his own heart to retain the girl at home, he does well. So that he who marries does well,

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and the man who does not marry does better. A wife is given by law m hai; 39 husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whoever she wishes; only in the Lord. But she will be happier if she should remain so, according to my judgment; and I suppose I also know God's intention. ®1t !h¤l·®Ezriugs. Now, about idol-offerings. We

know that we all possess understand- ing. Understanding makes you vain, but love edifies. lf any one fancies he knows a little, lie never knows anything as it ought to be compre— hended ; but if any one loves God, he is instructed by Him. Therefore, about the eating of idol-

offerings, we know that an idol is nothing in creation ; and besides that, there is no God but one. For al- though there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth-—-as there are many gods, and many demi- gods—··yet to us there is but one God, the Father, from Whom are all things, and we in Him; and one Lord jesus Christ, by Whom are all things, and we through Him. However, this knowledge is not in all; but some, with the conscience, even now eat as though sacrificing to the idol, and their conscience being weak is cor— rupted. But food in itself does not bring us nearer to God ; for if we eat we are not better, nor are we the worse if we do not eat. However, take care lest this same

strength of yours should become a stumblingblock to the weak. For if any one should see you, the pos- sessor of comprehension, reclining in an idol—house, would not the con- science of him, being weak, be en· couraged to eat for the purpose of idol—worship? Then the weak man is utterly lost through your comprehen- sion-··thc brother for whom Christ died! Thus, sirming against the brotherhood, and striking their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food cause my brother to do wrong, I would not eat flesh for ever; so that I may not cause my brother to stumble. ¥nu1’<s qpcrsurml Qcfznrz. IO II I2

Am I not a free man? Am I not 9 an apostle? Have I not seen the Lord jesus Christ? Are you not my II92