Commentary on 1 Corinthians
Lecture 7. All to the glory of God
10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do all to the glory of God. [n. 569]
10:32 Be without offense to the Jews, and to the gentiles, and to the Church of God: [n. 571]
10:33 As I also in all things please all men, not seeking that which is profitable to myself but to many: that they may be saved. [n. 573]
569. Having shown when it is permitted to eat the food sacrificed to idols and when it is not, here he shows that they should not try to do both.
First with respect to God, because they should seek his glory;
second, with respect to one’s neighbor, because they should be careful of offending him, at be without offense.
570. Under the first point, he first brings forth the many aspects of the act; second, he urges the due intention of actions, at do all things to the glory of God.
Therefore he says, therefore, whether, as though he said: since these bad things can happen, therefore, whether you eat or drink, which are works of necessity, or whatever else you do, do all to the glory of God, and with the invocation of the Creator, by this intention, that God be praised and glorified. So let your light shine among men (Matt 5:16). Whatever you do in word or work, do all for the glory of God (Col 3:17).
Augustine in his commentary on Psalm 34, sermon two, at the end, says: if these things be done rightly, they are praises of God. Therefore, do not only let your voice sound the praises of God, but also let your works harmonize with your voice. For when God is praised by a good work, you praise God, and when God is blasphemed by your evil work, you blaspheme God.
571. Next when he says, be without offense, he warns them to be careful of offending others, and convinces them of this first by word, second by example, at as I also in all things.
Here he sets himself forth as example, first, by making peace by his companionship; second, by his fruitful work, at not seeking that which is profitable to myself; and third, by his right intention, at that they may be saved.
Happy the man whose companionship is delightful, whose work is useful, and whose intention is saving.
572. He says therefore, without offense, as though he said: so that all things may be for the glory of God, be without offense to the Jews, who do not worship idols, and therefore are scandalized by eating these things, and to the gentiles, who worship idols, and therefore would be confirmed in their error by eating this kind of thing, and to the Church of God, as to those weak in faith, who are offended by this. Jews are under the law, but not under the faith; gentiles are not under the law or in the faith; the Church of God is both under the law and in the faith. If it can be done, as much as is in you, have peace with all men (Rom 12:18).
573. As I also in all things please all men, changing, so to speak, without scandal. I, he says, not seeking that which is profitable to myself alone, but to many. Here is the best way of pleasing everyone: if the profit of all, and not one’s private convenience is procured. Charity, I say, seeks not her own (1 Cor 13:5). That which is profitable, I say, to many, and not this for some temporal convenience, but in order that they may be saved. I do not seek a gift, but fruit (Phil 4:17).
574. It should be noted that there are many things which they do deservedly to please men. The first is by prudence in counsels, as an attorney pleases his client, or a steward pleases his employer. This advice pleased Pharaoh, and all his servants (Gen 41:37). The prudent man shall please the great ones (Sir 20:29).
Second, by cleanness in deeds, as a husband pleases his wife, or an instrument pleases the one using it. But the boy Samuel grew and advanced, pleasing God as well as men (1 Sam 2:26). Unlike the sons of Eli.
Third, faithfulness in giving one’s support, as a doctor pleases his patient, or a walking stick pleases an elderly person. Hence it is said at the tomb of Abner: and all the things that David did pleased them (2 Sam 3:36).
Fourth, wisdom in words, as a light pleases a wayfarer, or green lands please the sight. His words pleased all those who heard (Josh 22:33). The wise man shall advance by his words, and the prudent man shall please the great ones (Sir 20:29).
Fifth, clemency in answering, as flavor pleases the tastebuds, or a melody pleases the ear. You have so pleased this nation, and calmed them with clement words, they will serve you for all time (2 Chr 10:7).
Sixth, courage in battles, as the boxer pleases his manager, or a soldier pleases his commander: the servants of Saul said to David: behold, you please the king, and all his servants love you (1 Sam 18:22).
Seventh, generosity in giving things, as the rain pleases dry earth, or as a spring pleases the thirsty. As is said of Simon: he sought the goods of his people, and his power pleased them (1 Macc 14:4).
575. Here it is asked about I do not want you to be made partakers with devils (1 Cor 10:20). The Gloss says: what is done with certain things that are hung up or tied on relates to this kind of thing.
Against this: hanging herbs around the neck, or small pieces of paper, which commonly happens, relates to idolatry.
Answer: either herbs have a natural power from their nature to this effect, or else they do not. In the first case, it does not relate to idolatry, but in the second case it does.
Likewise, cedulae (official slips of paper) either contain only sacred words, and are believed to have power only from that, or else not. In the first case, they do not pertain to idolatry, but in the second, they do.
576. Again, concerning all things are lawful for me (1 Cor 10:23), the Gloss says: by the power of free will and the teaching of natural law.
Against this: according to natural law, many things are not allowed.
I answer that here he is speaking specifically of food.
577. Again, the Gloss says in the same place: by the command of the Lord those things are prohibited.
I answer that those commands were made for that time, and they have been repealed.
578. Again, asking no question (1 Cor 10:27). Against this: watch out lest perhaps it is stolen: restore it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch anything that comes by theft (Tob 2:21).
I answer that this is not the same, since it is not permitted in itself to eat stolen food, but it is permitted to eat the food sacrificed to idols, except on account of the scandal of another.
579. Again, do all to the glory of God. Against this: therefore, no act is indifferent.
I answer that something is understood to be referred to the glory of God either actually or in its aptitude for being so related, and this does not only happen among good things, but also among indifferent ones.
580. Again, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof (1 Cor 10:26). Against this: the same reason existed under the law. Therefore if all things are now clean, because they are the Lord’s, then they were at that time too.
I answer that they are called unclean according to the law, but not by their nature.
581. Again, as I also in all things please all men. Against this: if I pleased men, I would not be the servant of Christ (Gal 1:10).
Again, how did he please his persecutors?
I answer to the first objection: he wanted to please men for the sake of God, not for their sakes.
To the second objection, this is understood not of all men generally, but of the men of the Church, according to the Gloss.