1 Corinthians 8:13

Meat. Gr. broma, food in general; not only flesh, but all kinds of food.

Flesh. Gr. kreas, “flesh.” The word occurs only here and in Rom. 14:21. Flesh foods were particularly involved in sacrifices to idols. Paul was willing to do without food that he might lawfully have eaten, rather than lay a stumbling block in a weak brother’s way. Liberty is valuable, but the weakness of a fellow human being should induce believers to waive their liberty in his interest. Love for one’s neighbors is to be the guiding principle in such matters. Surely the gratification of one’s desires is of much less importance than the salvation of the weak brother who may stumble over one’s exercise of liberty. This principle is applicable to many phases of living, such as recreation, dress, music — in fact, it applies to life in general. The denial of self for the good of others is a prominent feature of the experience of a genuine follower of Jesus (see Matt. 16:24; John 3:30; Rom. 12:10; Rom. 14:7, 13, 15-17; Phil. 2:3, 4). This principle is the essence of the spirit of Jesus, in whose earthly life it was constantly manifest.

While the world standeth. Literally, “forever,” here meaning a lifetime (see on Matt. 25:41).

ELLEN G. WHITE COMMENTS