1599 Geneva Bible: "Abuse not your liberty"

1 Corinthians 10:29 “And the conscience, I say, not thine, but of that other [the weaker brother]: (i) for why should my liberty be condemned of another man's conscience?”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “(ii) Whether, therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

i. A reason: For we must be very careful that evil is not spoken of us while we enjoy our freedom, and the benefit we have been given in God which should cause us to give thanks, is not viewed as acts done in immorality, and that through our own fault, if we choose instead to offend the conscience of the weak brother, rather than yield a little of our freedom in a matter of no importance, then give opportunity for that weak brother to make a bad judgment of us, and of Christian liberty. The Apostle has made an example to the Corinthians of his own person, that they may have less reason to oppose him.

ii. The conclusion: We must order our lives in such a way, that we seek not our own benefit, but God's glory, and the salvation of as many as we can; here in the Apostle chooses not to make himself a special case to the Corinthians (even to his own flock), but instead calls them back to Christ, unto whom Paul himself has regard.


[The above quoted scripture and accompanying Troy-paraphrased notes are taken from the 1599 Geneva Bible. A version of this great Bible, with modern spelling, may be purchased from the following link]