Chapter 6
Cautions
against going to law in heathen courts
|
1–8
|
Sins
which, if lived and died in, shut out from the kingdom of God
|
9–11
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Our
bodies, which are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Ghost, must
not be defiled
|
12–20
|
Verses 1–8
Christians
should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly
attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes.
In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to
right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the
matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may
easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and
the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that
little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot
be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man’s own mind, and the calm of
his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place
among brethren, unless there were faults among them.
Verses 9–11
The
Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of which they had formerly
been guilty. There is much force in these inquiries, when we consider that they
were addressed to a people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others
in wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning sin, nay,
every actual sin, committed with design, and not repented of, shuts out of the
kingdom of heaven. Be not deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter
themselves that they may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But
we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life. They are
reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them. The blood
of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our
justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification
to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made
righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of God.
Verses 12–20
Some among
the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me.
This dangerous conceit St. Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ
has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would
never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the
Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never
to be made an instrument of sin. It is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ
was raised from the dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they
will be raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep Christians
from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to
Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body. Other
vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight.
And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and
consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon
the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless
slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels
fitted for our Master’s use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought
with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as
wholly the Lord’s, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the
latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our
spirits which are his.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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