15. But if thy brother be grieved--has his weak conscience hurt
with thy meat--rather, "because of meat." The word "meat" is purposely
selected as something contemptible in contrast with the tremendous risk
run for its sake. Accordingly, in the next clause, that idea is brought
out with great strength.
Destroy not him with--"by"
thy meat for whom Christ died--"The worth of even the poorest and
weakest brother cannot be more emphatically expressed than by the words,
'for whom Christ died'" [OLSHAUSEN]. The same sentiment is expressed
with equal sharpness in
1Co 8:11.
Whatever tends to make anyone violate his conscience tends to the
destruction of his soul; and he who helps, whether wittingly or no, to
bring about the one is guilty of aiding to accomplish the
other.
JFB.
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