Verse 10
• “But why dost thou judge they brother” – Paul is not prohibiting from judging a brother – 1Cor 6:1-4, 2:15, 1Thess 5:14-15. Every passage must be interpreted in its context. Paul is referring to matters of conscience here.
• “or why dost thou set at nought they brother” – We should not disregard or kick a brother out of our assembly over these matters.
• “for we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ” – We must remember we are not the judge or the jury. All of us will be judged of the Lord, if your brother is doing what he is doing unto the Lord with a clear conscience then we most likely will not change his mind. The word of God does it’s own work in men’s hearts. It’s our job to teach it and let it do the work – Heb 4:12.
Verse 11-14
• “vs 11” – quoting Isaiah 45:23 – “every knee” Again an emphasis on ALL. “Confess to God” Shows the deity of Christ.
• “vs 12” - Paul again emphasizing the point that we all will be judged of God – 1Cor 4:3-5
• “Let s not therefore judge……. But judge this rather” – Paul isn’t saying we can’t judge anything.
• “that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brothers way” – 1Cor 8:9
• “vs 14a” – Paul was persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing was unclean of itself but he did not use that liberty to offend – 1Cor 10:23, 9:19-22 – Paul being a Jew had to be persuaded by Christ because this was blatantly agains the Law and his former religion. Paul also would not have allowed the teaching that some meats were unclean – 1Tim 4:1-4
• “14b” – It’s a matter of the conscience and it’s wrong to sin against your conscience – 1Cor 8:7-12.
Verse 15-19
• “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably” – 1Cor 8:1.
• “Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died” – His faith, conscience, growth. The weak brother is still a member of the body because of their faith in the gospel and not because they understand all right doctrine.
• “vs 16” – 1Cor 10:23-31, 1Thess 5:22
• “vs 17” – Many use this verse to say the kingdom is spiritual and not physical. Paul is identifying the kingdom he teaches – Col 1:13,2:20-22. Jesus taught an earthly kingdom – Matt 6:10, Mark 16:17-18.
• “Righteousness, peace, & joy” – These come by faith – Rom 4:5, 5:1,11, Col 1:11
• “vs 18” - Acceptable here means “well-pleasing” – Serving Christ in righteousness, peace, and joy is well pleasing to God and accepted of men – Titus 2:6-8
• “vs 19” – Again this must be interpreted in context. Follow after peace does not mean we throw everything that is offensive out of the church. It means that just because I am at liberty to do something Is I’ll choose not to if it is going to cause my brother to stumble or a lost man to reject the gospel. The truth is what edifies. We do not throw out truth for the sake of peace.
Verse 20-23
• “vs 20-21” Meat does not commend us to God – 1Cor 8:8. It is evil to eat knowing you offend another, it is good to not eat so to not cause a brother to stumble. Paul adds wine drinking (not grape juice) “nor-anything” – Again this must be interpreted in context. Use wisdom knowing right doctrine.
• “vs 22a” Stand fast in your liberty before God, He is your judge – 1Cor 4:3-5. If you choose to not use your liberty it should be because you know you are going to offend a brother and not simply because you think others will condemn or judge you.
• “vs 22b” – When you know right doctrine you use your liberty without condemning yourself. Such as eating meat that has been offered to idols.
• “vs 23” – Because they are sinning against their conscience, ignorant of right doctrine which is learned from Gods word – Romans 10:17
• “damned” – Not to hell, but self condemned or condemned in ministry – Rom 8:1, Titus 3:11.
