The life and work of St. Paul

CONDITION OP THE CHUECH AT COBINTH. 379
prefaced thoir inquiry on this subject with the conceited remark that " they
*
all had knowledge," and had perhaps indicated their own opinion by the
argument that an idol was nothing in the world, and that all things were
lawful to their Christian freedom. Still, they wished to know whether they
might ever atteud any of the idol festivals ? The question was an important
one for the poor, to whom a visceratio 2 was no small help and indulgence.
Was it lawful to buy meat in the open market, which, without their knowing
it, might have been offered to idols ? Might they go as guests to their heathen
friends and relations, and run the risk of partaking of that which had been
3
part of a sacrifice ?
3. Then, too, a dispute had risen among them about the rule to be observed
in assemblies. Was it the duty of men to cover their heads ? Might women
appear with their heads uncovered ? And might they speak and teach in public ?
4. They had difficulties, also, about spiritual gifts. Which was the more
important, speaking with tongues or preaching ? When two or three began
at the same time to preach or speak with tongues, what were they to do ?
5. Further, some among them had been perplexed by great doubts about
the Resurrection. There were even some who maintained that by the Resur-
rection was meant something purely spiritual, and that it was past already.
This view had arisen from the immense material difficulties which surrounded
the whole subject of a resurrection of the body. Would Paul give them his
solution of some of their difficulties ?
6. He had asked them to make a collection for the poor in Judaea : they
would be glad to hear something more about this. What plans would he
recommend to them ?
7. Lastly, they were very anxious to receive Apollos once moro among
them. They had enjoyed his eloquence, and profited by his knowledge.
Would Paul try to induce him to come, as well as pay them his own promised
visit?
Such, we gather from the First Epistle to the Corinthians, were the in-
quiries of a letter which had been brought to the Apostle at Epheeus by
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. It was inevitable that St. Paul should
talk to these worthy slaves about the Church of which they were the delegates.
There was quite enough in the letter itself to create a certain misgiving in
1 1 Cor. viii. 1.
a Public feasts at funerals or idol festivals, c., Cic. Off. ii. 16 ; Liv. viii. 32, &c.
They played a large part in the joy and plenty of ancient life. Arist. Eth. viii. 9, 5 ;
Thuc. ii. 33.
3 The Jews had strong feelings on this subject (cf. Num. xxv. 2 ; Ps. cvi. 28 ; Tob. i.
10 14) ; but it is monstrous to say that St. Paul here teaches the violation of such
scruples, or that he is referred to in Rev. ii. 14. On the contrary, he says, " Even if
you as Gentiles think nothing of it, still do not do it, for the sake of others ; only the
concession to the weak need not become a tormenting scrupulosity." It is doubtful
whether even St. Peter and St. John would not have gone quite as far as this. So strict
were Judaic notions on the subject that, in the case of wine, for instance, not only did
a cask of it become undrinkable to a Jew if a single heathen libation had been poured
from it, but " even a touch with the presumed intention of pouring away a little to the
gods is '
enough to render it unlawful, This is called the law of fD>