13. — I will eat no flesh] In heathen countries a great part of the meat sold in the publick markets had been sacrificed to their idols. And therefore as the Jews were extremely scrupulous in every thing that had any relation to idolatry, it might on some occasions be necessary for the Christians to abstain from every kind of flesh, to avoid giving offence to such converted Jews as still retained their old prejudices. The Apostle here engages rather to submit to this, than to be the occasion of another's ruin. Drs. Whitby and Macknight. We learn from this chapter, that it is the duty of Christians, in matters wherein they are left at liberty by the law of God, to take that part which they see will give least occasion of sin to their brethren, and to avoid that part which, if taken, will certainly give others occasion to sin. Although we be ourselves well satisfied of the lawfulness of an action, we ought to deny ourselves in some things, rather than occasion our brethren to fall into sin. He deserves not the name of a Christian, who will not abridge himself of his Christian liberty to preserve his brother from sin and temptation. Burkitt. Chap. IX. St. Paul, upon several prudential considerations, would not receive maintenance from the Corinthian Christians, but lived either upon his own labour, or contributions from other churches. The heads of the faction raised reflections upon this, to the disparagement of the Apostle; nay, insinuated it to be a tacit confession, he was indeed no true Apostle at all. The well affected part of the church seem plainly to have desired some account of his conduct in this matter. The Apostle's answer. He claims a right to a maintenance from them as much as any other Apostle could do; and proves it. Gives his reason why he did not make use of that right in the Corinthian church. His great confescension to the weaknesses and prejudices of all sorts of Christian people; illustrated by a familiar comparison, and recommended to their imitation. Pyle. Ver. 1. — am I not free?] That is, to maintain myself, or to be maintained by others. Pyle. — have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?] The Apostles being chosen to be witnesses of the resurrection, it was requisite that St. Paul should also see Him 13. Do ye not know &c.] The former argument was drawn from the application of a precept, literally spoken of oxen, to a spiritual sense. This is a plainer argument from the law, taken from the example of the Levites, to whom a considerable part of the sacrifices in the temple and at the altar was allowed by God Himself for their ministration. Dr. Wells, Burkitt. 13. There hath no temptation taken you &c.] The Apostle here cautions the Corinthians against being tempted by 15. — than that any man should make my glorying void.] Than that I should lose this glory of my free and unrecompensed preaching of the Gospel amongst you; wherein I have both prevented scandal, and excelled and shamed the false apostles. Bp. Hall. 16. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: &c.] That in which the Apostle glories is not his bare preaching of the Gospel, but his preaching of it freely and without maintenance. The strength of his argument lies in this; that no man can reasonably boast of, glory in, or expect an extraordinary reward, for the doing of that which he is under a command from his superior to do, and that under a penalty for disobedience. This was his case: necessity was laid upon him to preach the Gospel, but no necessity to preach it freely: therefore for him so to preach it, without demanding any reward, was matter of glorying, which he declares he had rather die than any should take from him. Burkitt.