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Hi Jon, The passage here is refering to the eating of clean & unclean meaat. Paul is saying that it is all right to eat, but it may not be benificial to the church, if some believe that it is wrong, we should respect their beliefs. It may cause some to fall into sin!!
You cannot please yourselves, because Jesus 'Christ' did not please himself, but did the Father's will. Paul's argument here means that Jesus being in the very nature God, & therefore had every right to please himself, he did not. Simply because he did not consider equality with God something to be grasped for his own advantage. Does that sound familiar?
The quote from Ps 69 entitled "A prayer for the scorned" NIV. Christ has completely identified himself with the name, will & cause of the Father.
Hope this helps, this is the context of the passage, although the application may be different sometimes.
Love in His Name Stuart
2006-07-29 04:15:29 Posted by Stuart (stuart@sadrankin.com)
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OK, I confess, I didn't really do my homework. But then I had a world full of scholars just a click away. The quote was kind of hard to find in Ps 69 but I get it. Ps 69 is David complaining (for a while)about God's enemies. I think it still extends out to say that our not being unified reflects badly on God. Because we represent God to mankind as did David. OK?
2006-07-29 09:33:00 Posted by Jon ()
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Jon,
I would not berate myself on this. Many are dim in this understanding, as I myself was for a very long time. I think it is instructive to go back to Romans 14 for a clearer understanding.
I find many people ignore what Paul says there and will attempt to heap shame upon the strong. I also see that the strong in a matter will belittle the weak. Neither is right!
Romans 14:21 (NIV)
21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
Read the whole of Romans 14. I think even a casual reading will make the message clear. Great study is not needed. Ask yourself "Who is the Strong? Who is the Weak? What are their duties to one another?" I think it is pretty straightforward if your eyes and heart are open to the message.
Also:
1 Corinthians 8:13 (NIV)
13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.
I will allow a person to say that this or that is a wise plan of action in disputable matters. (and food and wine are but two of very many) I am fiercely opposed to people who go around laying down strictures (can you say adding to God's Holy Word?) that are not in the Bible or worse yet, saying you cannot do what is Clearly allowed in the Bible.
If you look with open eyes, you will see it again and again. I have stood up before the congregation, uninvited to do so, (not an open mike for sharing or something like that) and very unabashadly raked my brothers and sisters in Christ over the coals for this very thing. You will say, but that is divisive, and you should not do this! Look at what Paul is saying right here! I say: NO! Look at what Paul is saying right here! (logs and motes, dear brother, camels and gnats!)
I will write further on my Blog, so that I might edit my thoughts and spelling, etc. I want to make this very clear!
You do well to search this out, brother. Not many willhave the true heart to do so! Be a fool for Christ, even to me!
In Christ,
Mel
2006-07-30 01:59:11 Posted by Mel ()
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I suppose in a nutshell it means: "Care for your fellow man" Be careful how you act in front of him or her, that you MIGHT not lead anyone astray by your actions.
I cannot see you doing that, I think this might be caused by being a little arrogant!!!!! That one might not care what one does, like the Corinthians who started the breaking of bread meal before the others had arrived. Thinking themselves superior in some way!
These are random thoughts & I agree with Mel, that reading the overview gives a great insight into what the passage says as a whole.
Hope this helps
Love in His Name Stuart
2006-07-30 03:39:27 Posted by Stuart (stuart@sadrankin.com)
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